‘The Gugulethu Tenors’ Are South Africa’s Latest Musical Sensation

Four young men from a small township have become South Africa’s newest musical sensations.

Welcome to the Ritmo Machine

A new collaboration between percussionist Eric Bobo and Chilean beatmaster Latin Bitman is out. It’s a funky blend of cumbia, Afrobeat, hip-hop and electronica. The duo’s debut album is called Welcome to the Ritmo Machine.

“Passione”: John Turturro’s Musical Tribute to Naples

Turturro explains his love for the city and its music.

South Sudan’s Hip-Hop Artist Lual D’Awol

The artist is excited about opportunities to succeed as a musician in the new country.

Swedish Movits!

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Hip-hop, swing, Gypsy jazz is how members of the Swedish trio Movits! describe their music. They also find inspiration from 1950s Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with members of the band.

Video: Äppelknyckarjazz from “Out of my head”

Freespeed Sonata by Sig

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“Freespeed Sonata” is the latest album by SIG. delivers a classical hip hop fusion shaped like a four movement sonata. Released in February 2010 It all started with short solo piano pieces that Sig performed on his old 1902 Bluthner lent to a poet friend in Berlin. A few days later, while travelling in Venice, he composed the score looping together short melodies and harmonic flows selected from the pieces. Download MP3
Video: See Sig, Kus & Joy Frempong perform live

Malian Group SMOD releases album

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Malian group SMOD is out with its third record. The self-titled release features the producing talents of world music superstar Manu Chao. Anchor Marco Werman tells us more about this folk, hip-hop trio.(Photo: SMOD) Download MP3

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Soulico

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A wide array of Israeli artists have been getting greater international attention in the past couple of years. Bands like Soulico. But it wasn’t an easy outing for Israel’s first cultural diplomatic presence at South by Southwest. Marco Werman reports from Austin.

Bomba Estereo

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Anchor Marco Werman introduces us to Colombian band Bomba Estereo who do to cumbia what the Rolling Stones did to the blues: they rock it out.

Botnets, Steam-Powered Car, Creative Commons Flamenco, and…Zombies

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You want zombies? Well, we’ve got them this week. Some researchers at the University of Ottawa are using a (theoretical, mind you) zombie attack to study disease vectors. Also, botnets, the Russia and Georgia cyber-spat, and a steam powered car. Plus, a deliciously free concoction of flamenco, hip-hop and creative commons.

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Flamenco Hip-Hop

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Traditional Spanish flamenco meets modern hip-hop. That’s what the group Gnawledge is all about. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with band members Canyon Cody and Gnotes. Download the album: “Granada Doaba”

Guru

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The World’s Emma Kwesiga Lydersen meets up with US hip-hop legend Guru. He’s been touring the world and bringing home some musical souvenirs.