World Music Profiles

Vinicius Cantuaria-one of Brazil's top songwriters-has written songs that have sold millions of copies in Brazil. But in the mid 90s he moved to New York to discover new musical challenges. His latest CD is called CYMBALS. Vinicius talks to us about what making this CD (his first recorded entirely in New York) was like and why he finds making music outside of his homeland so freeing.

The Paris-based group "Le Trio Joubrain", made up of three Palestinian brothers who play the "oud" or ancient Arabic lute, tells us about why the "oud" has captured their hearts and how they plan to take this 4,000 year-old instrument into the 21st century. The trio's latest CD, called Majaz, is a mostly instrumental offering, inspired by their passion for poetry.

Musical archaeologist Olivier Conan talks about the psychedelic sounds of Chicha. The sound emerged in the 1960s from the edge of the Amazon--a mix of Peruvian indigenous melodies, Colombian cumbia rhythms and a splash of surf rock and rock 'n' roll organ. Conan and his band Chicha Libre helped resurrect the Chicha style and take it in new directions. The band's debut album "Sonido Amazonico" is to be released in Spring of 2008.

Musical archaeologist Olivier Conan talks about the psychedelic sounds of Chicha. The sound emerged in the 1960s from the edge of the Amazon--a mix of Peruvian indigenous melodies, Colombian cumbia rhythms and a splash of surf rock and rock 'n' roll organ. Conan and his band Chicha Libre helped resurrect the Chicha style and take it in new directions. The band's debut album "Sonido Amazonico" is to be released in Spring of 2008.

In the universe of world music they are on the cutting edge. Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist Roberto Rodriguez and his wife, Suzie Ibarra formed their group, Electric Kulintang, in 2005 after travelling to the Philippines. That's where they were researching traditional music and dance called Kulintang. Kulintang is based on the music made from gongs, chimes and drums. Kulintang ensembles have played for centuries in southeast Asia. It was Roberto's suggestion to make the sound electric, and voila, Electric Kulintang was born. Electric Kulintang's debut CD is called, "Dialects."

This week: A spotlight on Grammy-nominated Kayhan Kalhor. He's a virtuoso of the traditional Persian instrument, known as the Kamanche, a type of Persian fiddle. Kayhan talks to us about his upcoming CD called "Silent City," a collaboration with an American string quartet known as the Brooklyn Riders (set to be released in Spring 2008) and about what it was like to work on the soundtrack of the latest Francis Ford Coppola film called "Youth Without Youth."

Dubbed "musical adventurer," "global spiritualist," and "producer extraordinaire, Cheb i Sabbah is one of the world's leading deejays. Since the 1960s, Cheb has held a powerful presence in clubs around the world; namely, in Paris and San Francisco. His latest album is "Devotion."

Jam out to bands from Italy, Korea, Brazil, Hungary...even Tuareg rockers from Africa--in one venue on one night. GlobalFest is an annual festival that showcases 12 of the best and brightest world musicians, whose performances range from traditional beats to edgy fusions. This year's event is happening January 13th in NYC.

Actress and musician Saba is no stranger to world cultures. She was born in Somalia to Italian and Ethiopian parents and grew up in Italy. In her new album, "Jitka," Saba weaves together her European and African roots, mixing acoustic guitars and the kora to create traditional African beats and contemporary percussion.

David Starfire is an instrumentalist, composer, and a master of electronic mixing. He infuses world music with hip-hop and breakbeats, cultivating a music style that is reminiscent of sampling's early days. After playing with bands that opened for Nine Inch Nails and Skinny Puppy, Starfire launched a solo DJ career. His new album is "Bombay Beats."

This week: a look back at the musical heritage of the Big Easy. Musician, composer and musicologist Ned Sublette discusses the music performed by African slaves in Congo Square and the city's early influences on rock 'n' roll. Sublette's new book is "The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square."

This week: a tour through the musical landscape of West Africa courtesy of the 11-member, San Francisco-based group "Aphrodesia." Co-founder and bass player Ezra Gale talks about their pilgrimage to the birthplace of Afrobeat, and the inspiration for their new recording entitled "Lagos By Bus."

This week: a tour through the musical landscape of West Africa courtesy of the 11-member, San Francisco-based group Aphrodesia. Co-founder and bass player Ezra Gale talks about their pilgrimage to the birthplace of Afrobeat, and the inspiration for their new recording entitled Lagos By Bus.

This week: an electrifying journey through the realm of contemporary world music with BBC radio broadcaster Charlie Gillett. Gillett talks about the latest installment in his series of unique and compelling global compilations called: "Sound of the World 2007."

This week: an electrifying journey through the realm of contemporary world music with BBC radio broadcaster Charlie Gillett. Gillett talks about the latest installment in his series of unique and compelling global compilations called: Sound of the World 2007.

The word child prodigy gets thrown around a lot. But when it comes to this next artist, there might be good reason to use it. Javaughn is a 15-year-old reggae star, born in Portland, Jamaica. At age 2 he was playing the keyboard, at 4 he was doing the local circuit with a band. Soon, word spread about his talent and concert promoters began booking him for some of Jamaica's largest concerts. It didn't take long before Javaughn caught the ear of the Marley family. He began working with the Marley's Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youth label where he's been honing his vocals. His debut cd, fittingly called "Superstar," is set for release in late November 2007.

The word child prodigy gets thrown around a lot. But when it comes to this next artist, there might be good reason to use it. Javaughn is a 15-year-old reggae star, born in Portland, Jamaica. At age 2 he was playing the keyboard, at 4 he was doing the local circuit with a band. Soon, word spread about his talent and concert promoters began booking him for some of Jamaica's largest concerts. It didn't take long before Javaughn caught the ear of the Marley family. He began working with the Marley's Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youth label where he's been honing his vocals. His debut cd, fittingly called Superstar, is set for release in late November 2007.

If you think you've heard choral music, think again! Vocal ensemble Kitka has a passion for dissonances, unusual rhythms and lush harmonies, all rooted in Eastern European traditions. Their new album is "The Rusalka Cycle."

If you think you've heard choral music, think again! Vocal ensemble Kitka has a passion for dissonances, unusual rhythms and lush harmonies, all rooted in Eastern European traditions. Their new album is The Rusalka Cycle.

British music producer Richard Blair teamed up with pioneering Columbian musicians to form Sidestepper. The group churns out a new brand of vibrant, Afro-Columbian electronic dance grooves. Listen to sounds from the group's latest album, "Buena Vibra Sound System."

British music producer Richard Blair teamed up with pioneering Columbian musicians to form Sidestepper. The group churns out a new brand of vibrant, Afro-Columbian electronic dance grooves. Listen to sounds from the group's latest album, Buena Vibra Sound System.

Hafez Nazeri is an acclaimed Iranian-born musician and composer. His latest CD, "The Passion of Rumi" infuses the essence of traditional Persian music with a hint of Western influences.

Hafez Nazeri is an acclaimed Iranian-born musician and composer. His latest CD, The Passion of Rumi infuses the essence of traditional Persian music with a hint of Western influences.

Chilean supergroup Los Mono, "The Monkey," was originally formed to create the soundtrack to a children's TV show. Los Mono's music is high-energy funk that celebrates individuality, self-confidence and a positive attitude. Today we discuss their new album "Somos Los Que Estamos."

Chilean supergroup Los Mono, The Monkey, was originally formed to create the soundtrack to a children's TV show. Los Mono's music is high-energy funk that celebrates individuality, self-confidence and a positive attitude. Today we discuss their new album Somos Los Que Estamos.

I Wayne emerges as the new voice on Jamaica's roots and reggae scene. I Wayne combines a jazz singer's assurance with a reggae chanter's rhythms. His lyrics address heavy issues such as poverty, prostitution, and political unrest, but he still manages to celebrate the joys of what he calls "the book of life."

I Wayne emerges as the new voice on Jamaica's roots and reggae scene. I Wayne combines a jazz singer's assurance with a reggae chanter's rhythms. His lyrics address heavy issues such as poverty, prostitution, and political unrest, but he still manages to celebrate the joys of what he calls the book of life.

Ethnomusicologist Ted Levin joins National Geographic for a discussion about "The Music of Central Asia". This collection presents three new volumes of mystical songs from the mountains of Central Asia. It features bel canto lyrical songs of the Bardic Divas, trance-like rhythms of Tajikistan group, The Badakhshan Ensemble, and classical spiritual recordings by Azerbaijan star Alim Qasimov.

Ethnomusicologist Ted Levin joins National Geographic for a discussion about The Music of Central Asia . This collection presents three new volumes of mystical songs from the mountains of Central Asia. It features bel canto lyrical songs of the Bardic Divas, trance-like rhythms of Tajikistan group, The Badakhshan Ensemble, and classical spiritual recordings by Azerbaijan star Alim Qasimov.

Puerto Plata, so nicknamed after his hometown in the Dominican Republic, is an 83-year-old singer, guitarist and master sonero. His debut album "Mujer de Cabaret" includes boleros, bachatas, sones, and merengues that harken back to the golden age of Dominican guitar music.