Michael Jackson Japanese remix

Anchor Marco Werman treats us to a Japanese remix of some Michael Jackson hits. Listen to the report

Yonlu

The World’s Marco Werman tells the story of young Brazilian musician Yonlu, who committed suicide in 2006, and left behind a treasure of recorded music.Listen

Mikhail Gorbachev sings

He’s been sampled in dance tracks and he’s recorded an introduction to Peter and the Wolf. But former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev has never sung on an album. Until now. The World’s Marco Werman tells us about Gorbachev’s CD for his late wife Raisa.Listen

Javanese Gamelan

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Solo is home to the Javanese Gamelan tradition. But you don’t need to visit Java to play the instrument. Once a week, the Indonesian consulate in New York throws open its doors to amateur musicians. The World’s Alex Gallafent has today’s Global Hit.

Heavy Metal Islam: Rock, Resistance, and the Struggle for the Soul of Islam

Listen to this report Musicians in Iran are providing a score for the current turmoil there. Some of that soundtrack is of the heavy metal variety. Mark Levine is the author of a book called “Heavy Metal Islam: Rock, Resistance, and the Struggle for the Soul of Islam.”

Melvin Gibbs and “Ancients Speak”

Anchor Marco Werman brings us music from Brooklyn-based producer Melvin Gibbs. His new CD is called Ancients Speak. It’s a lively mix of African-inspired musical genres from around the globe. Listen

Global Hit: Youssou N’Dour Documentary

Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi the director of a documentary film that focuses on Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour and his controversial 2004 album “Egypt.” The album was controversial in Senegal because it mixed music and religion. Listen

Global Hit: Brazil’s Jorge Ben

Marco Werman tells us about “Tudo Ben” a new CD of songs by Brazilian singer-songwriter Jorge Ben. Listen

Global Hit: Bunny Wailer

Singer Bunny Wailer has had a long career — first with Bob Marley, then as a successful solo artist. Now he’s re-mastered his song catalogue. Anchor Marco Werman finds out what’s coming up. Listen

Global Hit: Cheik Tidiane Seck and Dee Dee Bridgewater

Today’s Global Hit features a tale of two piano masters — one from New Orleans, the other from Bamako, Mali. Anchor Marco Werman tells us who they are and how they borrow elements from each other’s musical culture. Listen

Global Hit: Library of Congress recordings

The Library of Congress has chosen twenty-five historic recordings to its collection. Among them are a speech by Winston Churchill and The Who’s My Generation. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Matthew Barton, Curator of Recorded Sound at the Library of Congress. Listen

Show Ender: Francis Ford Coppola

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Francis Ford Coppola about his new film, Tetro. Coppola talks about his personal connection to the screenplay and why he filmed it in Argentina. Anchor Lisa Mullins continues her conversation with Francis Ford Coppola about his new film, Tetro. Listen

Global Hit: Richard Blair in Colombia

Anchor Marco Werman takes us to Bogota, Colombia, to meet musician Richard Blair. Blair is a British expat whose dance band has enjoyed a lot of success. Now he’s harnessing that success for a cause — saving the homes of indigenous people in northern Colombia. Listen

Global hit and geo answer: Martial Solal and Chad

Martial Solal has been a leading figure in French jazz for a half century. The 82-year-old Algerian-born pianist speaks to anchor Marco Werman about his latest release. And before we end the show, we answer today’s Geo Quiz. We were looking for a country in central Africa where a national census is under way. The [...]

Show Ender: Tiananmen voices

The BBC’s Chinese Service asked people to share some of their thoughts and recollections about China’s Tiananmen crackdown 20 years ago today. Anchor Lisa Mullins introduces us to two of them. Listen