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This week on World Records, we took a look at the vibrant world of Turkish music. This country is at an interesting crossroads between Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and Eastern European influences. The modern pop and rock music scenes in Turkey are quite active, largely due to the westernization in the early to mid twentieth century under the rule of Atatürk.

All of this and more is explored in this week’s episode, with music ranging from older 1960s Arabesk and Anadolu rock to modern dance and pop music, both of which are important sounds in modern Turkish music. Regardless of your taste, this episode is full of songs that are sure to get you moving!

Listen on Mixcloud!

Check out the playlist on Spotify!

Turkey Playlist – 02/18/19

1. Göksel - Ayrılık Günü   

Sensually dancey with a slow invitation that draws you into the song just enough so that your hips are moving by the time the chorus repeats.

2. Moğollar - Obur Dünya

The voice of crackled passion breaks through a distorted, triumphant guitar. Speaking interrupts; is this a conversation in song, or a cry to the guitar itself?

3. Nilgül - Pış Pışla

Descending riffs glide you down the beach, as you swoon to the upbeat rhythm of this sun-soaked song. 

4. İbrahim Tatlıses - Şemmame

We We We We We loved this song, and were dancing along to it in the studio. The infections chorus welcomes anyone to sing along, while the strings and tulum echo the gliding vocals. 

5. Sezen Aksu - Şanıma İnanma

Sezen Aksu winds her voice around the strumming guitar until her crooning chorus makes you want to raise your arms up and twist to the chanting voices that soon back her up. 

6. Tuğba Ekinci - Oha Falan Oldum Yani

Another enchanting voice that pulsates through melodic flute riffs winds its way into your head. You are on a dock with boats rocking in the sunset, hearing the clanking of stern against wood in the beat of the song. There is a bustle about the tune that points you to the crowded restaurants 50 feet from the docks, where you will soon meet your friends for dinner. 

7. Yüzyüzeyken Konuşuruz - Ne Farkeder

Something is angsty and nostalgic about the guitar and the whining vocals, which seem to recall the sadness of a distant memory. As the chorus kicks in, you are called to forget of the pain and look ahead through the confident cries of nostalgia. 

8. Tarkan - Dudu - Özgür Buldum Remix

The tune is a mountainside town which tumbles down the slanted rock in a random scattering of notes, letting the sun hit on the roofs as it careens toward the shore. Exhilarating and beautiful.

9. Kalben - Saçlar

We began with a sensual song, and so we will end with an equally tantalizing voice that calls you to dance, offering raspy coos that perfectly accompany the guitar and tempt you into a dreamy sleep dance.

Extras to Listen to:

1. maNga - Dursun Zaman

2. Nazan Öncel - Atıyosun

3. Senay - Dalkavuk

4. Deeperise - Raf

5. Gökhan Türkmen - Lafügüzaf

6. Sezen Aksu - Vay

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This week, we chose to highlight a curious cassette collection that was compiled by a Fulbright scholar during his time in Ghana. He discovered a range of tunes and artists that did not seem accessible outside of West Africa, and he decided to showcase these out-of-print cassettes on a blog. This project later grew into its own record label, which allows the artists to receive 50% of the profits from their albums while touring due to their newfound exposure. 

The tapes range in time, style, and country of origin, but we have yet to find an artist who did not wow us in some way. The instrumentation and relatively unknown sounds of the kora and the krar add a fresh twist to the catchy rhythms and grooves, while the mix of languages and singing styles conveys sorrow, longing, and joy without a need to understand the lyrics. We are so excited to highlight such amazing, obscure music that has now found its platform through the record label, and it may even inspire us to look for music in our surroundings through less typical means.

Listen on Mixcloud!

Check out the playlist on Spotify!

West Africa Playlist – 02/11/19

1. Boubacar Traoré - Diarabi 

The brassy finger picking signals a somber tune from the beginning, but I was not prepared for the sadness that seemed to pour from the vocals in lamenting cries for God. (This is either in Arabic or maybe Amharic or something - I can understand parts)

2. Dur-Dur Band - Tajir Was Ilaah 

Funky guitar riffs and drums offer a dynamic base for the high and rolling vocals of the singer. Inexplicable discos scene in a spy movie. This Somali group is sure to make you dance, but there is a subdued quality about the mixing that makes it more familiar, as if you are hearing the song from a car outside your window and feel the urge to groove to it.

3. Ata Kak - Daa Nyinaa 

Another groovy measure until the vocals spin a trance-like rhythm that transitions into bright belting. Backing vocals ground the song as the Ghanaian singer raps in a way that sounds like he has turned his words into complementing percussion. "According to my friend, the lyrics are in Twi, which is a language commonly used in Ghana. They are about loving someone so much that you can’t eat, sleep or do anything. If he gets her it will be sunshine and rain (which is a good thing in Africa) and he will sleep with her every day (daa nyinaa).

4. Umoja - Special Night

Driving in the city on a warm summer night, you feel the easy groove of this tune blaring from your friends radio, unironic orchestra hits and all.  

5. Hailu Mergia - Shilela

I am imagining that I am drifting lazily on a boat at sunset, having spent the day contently lazing on the beach. I know I am going to dinner soon with loved ones, and I hear the distant trumpets at the restaurant as they call me to shore.

6. Sourakata Koité - Ha-Madi

Entrancing string tune that reveals the serious mastery of Koité as he walks you through a field of tall grasses blowing in the wind. You notice every individual movement, see every leaf shudder in its own time, feeling perfectly one with your surroundings.

7. Asnaketch Worku - Sak Bleh Askegn

A meandering vine leads us to a tree of ripe fruit in the voice of Asnaketch Worku, with the crackling record quality of the track conveying a timelessness. It is almost eerie at parts with the chaotic rhythm that draws you into the shadows of her tune.

8. Jess Sah Bi & Peter One - Clipo Clipo 

This is one of the most relaxing tracks on our list, and it clearly shows the immense impact African rhythms and tune on American artists like Paul Simon and Ezra Koenig. This Ivory Coast act creates a sound atmosphere that puts the listener at ease.

Extras to Listen to:

1. Bola - Abayetidu Ma

2. Nahawa Doumbia - Kungo Sogoni

3. Awa Poulo - Poulo Hoto Ngari

4. Shichangani - Shaka Bundu

5. Om Alec Khaoli - Enjoy It

6. Boncana Maïga - Koyma Hondo

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This week on World Records, Maya and Rainor narrow their scope and focus particularly on the genre of rock music originating from Japan! Even with this specialized selection, the playlist could have gone on for hours. Rainor is a huge fan of Japanese Rock, particularly on the experimental side, and in the research process for this episode, Maya even introduced him to a few new finds to listen to!

The history of modern music in Japan is interesting, since they have a culture so unnaturally Western while still having its roots in ancient traditions. We explore this overlap of styles as it evolved from the Group Sounds of the 1960s all the way to math and noise rock of the present. We hope you enjoy this palette of sound:

Listen on Mixcloud!

Check out the playlist on Spotify!

Japanese Rock Playlist – 02/03/19

1. The Mops - I’m Just a Mops

Dancing nonsense; an anthem for acceptance of the mopsiest of quirks with a true 60s rock flare.

2. Les Rallizes Denudes - White Awakening

Like walking into a 1960s prom night, only this one is set in space, and everyone floats while awkwardly slow dancing with their high school sweetheart. 

3. The Stalin - GO GOスターリン

Mario Kart racing if cartoon versions of infamous 20th century leaders were the drivers.

4. Aburadako - PARANOIA

Triumphant yet melancholy, the heavy guitar reminds you to bob along while the low vocals have a sobering effect that recalls bittersweet memories.

5. L’Arc-en-Ciel - Stay Away

Infinitely catchy guitar riff offers a solid foundation for the vocals as they forcefully command that you “stay away”. You will not want to stay away from this song.

6. Fishmans - なんてったの - Live

You are in a futuristic dance hall when all of a sudden the lights dim and the singer switches tempos. You spin around, taking in the scene of swaying party-goers around you with a smile.

7. toe - 孤独の発明

I am imagining that I am watching individual snowflakes land on my windowsill on a cold day, or perhaps I am watching a spider weave her web above me. Mesmerizing yet serene.

8. MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS - New Order

The singer belts as if the act of releasing these words is freeing her, while the happy guitar consoles any pain she harbors. Beautiful mixing and melody as the chords at the end allow us to let go completely.

9. T字路s - 泪橋

When the initial strumming begins, you do not expect the level of power and emotional strain the singer will bring to the song, offering a catchy, slightly somber tune as if playing during a walk along a waterfront in the credits of a film.

Extras to Listen to:

1. toe - Goodbye

2. SPITZ - 8823

3. X JAPAN -  Easy Fight Rambling

4. Boris - Pink

5. the cabs -  nigatsu no heitai

6. Nobuyasu Okabayashi - 26ばんめの秋

7. ZAZEN BOYS - Cold Beat

8. Hitsujibungaku - Step

9. tricot - artsick

10. Shonen Knife - I Am A Cat

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In an attempt to narrow down the broad world of Spanish music into a more specific category, we decided to focus on Spain, with its many styles, evolutions, and cultural influences. Not only is one of Maya’s favorite bands of all time, Pauline En La Playa, from Gijón, but Rainor’s foray into the ~indie music scene~ began with the Madrilenian band Hinds.

In this show, we trace the roots of several long-running influences in Spanish music, from Medieval Islamic Flamenco tunes and 18th century Jota styles to La Movida Madrileña and everything in between. We cap it off with our own acoustic cover of a song by Pauline En La Playa. We hope you enjoy our incomplete and yet incredibly rich exploration of Spanish music in this week’s episode:

Listen on Mixcloud!

Check out the playlist on Spotify!

Spain Playlist – 01/28/19

1. 24 Studies, Op. 35, “Exercises”: Study No. 17 in D Major - Fernando Sor

Guitar piece with lulling strumming that guides you gently along as you lazily wade in the Mediterranean.

2. Como El Agua - Camarón de la Isla

A slightly more upbeat guitar with the voice of strained passion- control and duende.

3. Axa, Fátima y Marien - Ibérica Suite

A jazzy version of Flamenco song, offering a slightly more relaxed take on the tale of three sisters picking olives.

4. Quiero Ser Santa- Caja De Ritmos - Parálisis Permanente

You are in the catacombs for a flamenco show when suddenly the everyone in the hall is transformed into zombies.

5. Llarón (Jota) - Eliseo Parra

Medieval melody with a low crooning voice that implies the story is as deep as the vocals.  

6. A Solas Con Un Ritmo Kase.O - Violadores del Verso

Rap with calm guitar and a beat that makes you want to dance and thoughtful sampling.

7. Bombay - El Guincho

Quintessential dance or “Pop Negro” as the album promises, with percussion that is fresh in the ears like waves hitting rocks. 

8. Una Nueva Vida - Nadadora

Shoegaze with an epic quality as if it is at the beginning of an early 2000s movie.

9. Forma, Sentido, y Realidad - Klaus y Kinski 

Belle and Sebastian meets Ellie Goulding with a beautiful riff that recalls nights dancing under a summer moon.

10. Easy - Hinds

Easy- on the ears, on the road; a fun song that may recall loss, but when you listen you only gain.

11. El Mundo Se Va a Acabar - Pauline En La Playa

We do an acoustic cover of this song!

Extras to Listen to:

1. El Barberillo de Lavapies - “Seguidilla” - Franisco Asenjo Barbieri

2. Perlas Ensangrentadas - Alaska y Dinarama

3. Aishiteru - Pauline En La Playa

4. Monsoon - Delorean

5. Mapas de Zonas Desiertas - Wild Honey

6. Bailamos - Enrique Iglesias

7. QUE NO SALGA LA LUNA –Cap.2: Boda - ROSALÍA