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A Boatload Of New Music

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We're almost underwater on this week's World Music Show with so much new music, it's weighing us down. (Photo: Pixaby)

Every few weeks we get lucky on the World Music Show--because of sheer happenstance or maybe fate of the music Gods, new releases rain down on the magical turntables at VPM Music headquarters.

On this week’s show (2/6), there’s a lot to unpack, so here’s just a brief snippet of what to expect starting Saturday night at 6pm.

Bomba Estereo - Deja.

It’s been four years since their smash song “So Yo” took over world music playlists--catapulted in part by their great video of the song. The duo has a new album coming out called “Deja” and it’s based on the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Lead singer Liliana “Li” Samuet says they came up with the concept after watching so many of us glued to our screens and not being in tune with the elements. She hopes the new album will bring back some much needed equilibrium. Because it’s been so long, we’ll hear two tracks -- “Deja” and “Aqua.”

Ivan Comar and Gabrielle Saro - Valentine.

So what does a degree in Business Administration have to do with music? Well, Italian musician Gabrielle Saro has used her degree to craft some fun, pop music. On the song “Valentine,” she partners with Ivan Comar to craft a fun song dedicated to the lovefest. There's no video for the song, but enjoy the song "STEMMER - Ave Regina Caelorum - Gabriele Saro"

 

Fely Tchaco - Yita.

Ivorian singer/songwriter Fely Tchaco grew up in West Africa along the Ivory Coast. It’s a place she released two of her albums at the young age of 19. Now, a few years later, she’s an immigrant living in San Francisco and is about to release her fifth album, “Yita.” On this release, Tchaco sings about the issues surrounding immigrants and the album is dedicated to African and Middle Eastern migrants who lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea. She hasn't released videos yet for this album, but enjoy her Tiny Desk submission.

 

The Rumjacks - Hestia

The Rumjacks are a Celctic/punk band from Australia. Their fifth album, “Hestia,” is about to come out. Their sound mixes traditional folk but inserts some umph, in the form of upbeat beats and bass.

Femi Kuti - Stop the Hate.

Carrying on the Afrobeat tradition of powerful music and social commentary, one of the sons of Fela, Femi is out with another powerful album that implores Nigerians to rail against the dishonesty of local politicians (“When government waste our time, government waste our life” he declares). 

Made Kuti - For(e)ward

Yes, Made (pronounced Mah-deh) is related to the Kuti family. He’s Femi’s son and like his father, has embraced Afrobeat. Both he and his father are releasing albums at the same time. But, where Femi’s album embraces the traditional style of the music, Made’s takes a more progressive and modern approach to the genre--and he plays every instrument on the new album. We’ll hear the song “Your Enemy.”

Jupiter & Okwess with Ana Tijoux - You Sold Me A Dream.

Out of Kinshaha in the Democratic Republic of Congo comes Jupiter and his band Okwess. Powerful, in your face beats but not too heavy that you’re pushed away. They’ve got a new album coming out and on this preview track, he partners with the French/Chilean musician and activist Ana Tijoux. All I have to say is woah.

For the rest of the show, you can expect a boatload of great music, with some nods to classic Two Tone music from The Specials AKA, to some D avid Byrne tracks, including his partnering with St. Vincent

The World Music Show airs Saturday nights from 6-8pm on VPM Music. Follow me on Twitter @VPM_IanStewart or on Facebook at the World Music Show on VPM.

 

Ian M. Stewart is the transportation reporter and fill-in anchor for VPM News.