Global Ginga

What do Doubt Gnahoré, Idan Raichel and Novalima have in common?

They are all artists working with Cumbancha, one of the most prominent world music labels. On today's episode, I speak with Jacob Edgar, founder of Cumbancha. Edgar is an ethnomusicologist and world music producer. His trajectory took him to work at record label Putumayo World Music before deciding to start his own label. Edgar was moved by the talent he found around the world and frustrated that Putumayo only produced compilations. In 2006, with the support of Dan Storper, Putumayo's founder, Cumbancha was founded. The first name on the roster? Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Local, from Los Angeles.

Fast forward to 2021, Cumbancha launched many new albums for artists such as Dobet Gnahoré, Sangit, Kolonien and Havana Meets Kingston. But who is listening to these artists? Edgar says that the world has millions of people who overcome language barriers to make connection with artists and music from different parts. "My experience at Putumayo has taught me that international music is much more popular than is generally recognized. People from all generations and backgrounds are looking for music with roots in cultural traditions, even if that music isn't as visible as it should be in the mainstream media." If that is true, why isn't mainstream media in the United States giving sufficient coverage to these artists and their tours?

Tune in and embark on this conversation about the current challenges and celebrations of world music presenters. If you are a musician, Edgar talks about his vetting process for bringing on new artists. If you are a job seeker with a passion for the music industry, listen to the struggles and wins of a successful music entrepreneur whose career also involved television.

Global Ginga unites what geography and politics divide. We are radio show that features music from around the world. But we are much more than a radio show, we are a grass roots movement, an event entertainer, a community partner. Created by Carla Leininger, from Brazil, Global Ginga aims to be a multicultural agent of social change through the sounds and fusion of world music. Featuring lounge and dance jams that make clear that quality music comes in all shapes, languages, colors and sounds, guests will hear traditional and underground hot blends of world dance and lounge rhythms -- a constant fusion of the best by the best.

Global Ginga Presents.......David Mclean!

What? Flamenco made in Oakland, California? Meet David Mclean. From the flamenco masters in Granada, Spain to the surprisingly robust flamenco scene in Oakland CA,  Mclean has been honing his flamenco guitar and compositional skills to a high sheen. They’re both in strong form on Te Canto Colores, the guitarist’s newest collection of original compositions for the guitar and varied small ensembles featuring guitar and percussion, with vocals and bass gracing different spots on the album to provide startlingly different textures and effects. Although at a casual listen the recording may speak of traditional flamenco, the careful listener will discern many deeper influences and streams. The combination of blazing guitar runs, propulsive hand claps (palmas), wailing vocals (cante), percussive footwork, and passionately defiant gestures (baile) flows from a worldview that transforms everyday struggles into exquisite, strikingly cathartic expression. 

A sought-after flamenco composer and player on the West Coast,  McLean was recently commissioned to play for an AguaClara Flamenco performance at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival’s 40th anniversary. David has also created music for many stage performances with La Tania, Melissa Cruz, Fanny Ara, Theatre Flamenco, Caminos Flamencos, AguaClara Flamenco, and many others. 

Global Ginga Presents.......David Mclean!

Global Ginga Presents........Jaffa Road!

In this episode, I speak to Aaron Lightstone about how the culture of Toronto is paving the way to more ensembles such as Jaffa Road. The band features some of Canada’s most exciting and innovative interpreters of intercultural music. Their sound takes listeners on a journey that is at once ancient and modern, acoustic and electronic, sacred and secular. It blends influences and inspirations from the worlds of Jewish music, classical Arabic and Indian music, modern jazz, blues, electronica, rock, pop, funk and dub.

The Jaffa Road vibe is ignited by the ethereal vocals of Tamar Ilana, the evocative oud & guitar playing of the band’s founder Aaron Lightstone, the visionary grooves of Justin Gray (bass & bass veena), the exhilarating sounds of saxophonist & flautist Sundar Viswanathan and the driving beat of drummer & percussionist Rakesh Tewari. For ‘Until When’, Jaffa Road has recently added Shawn Rompre on electronic percussion & effects to the mix. Along with a cadre of other top-notch guest artists, these stellar musicians challenge accepted notions of Jewish music while creating a new form of expression that breaks cultural boundaries.

In 2013, they won the Canadian Folk Music Award for World Music Group of the Year, and have been nominated for two Canadian Juno Awards for Best World Music Album. Jaffa Road has recently finished their much-anticipated third album Until When, which will be released in October 2021. The band’s trailblazing musical odyssey has taken them to festivals and theaters  across North and South America.

Global Ginga Presents........Jaffa Road!

Looking for new music? Brazilian singer and songwriter, Amanda Garruth, will join us as we debut her new album, “Dentro em mim.” We also discuss the Grammy Latino nominations and new trends of the academy and in Brazilian music.  Amanda shares her perspective on the new artists and how their music is shaping the future of Brazilian MPB.

Is the voting academy in favor of a new generation of performers from Brazil? If you recall, we had some surprises and this year is no different.  In this episode, I'm going to show you all the Brazilian artists nominated for the best Portuguese language contemporary pop album for the 2021 Latin Grammy! With the theme "rediscovering life through music," the telecast "invites audiences to rediscover what’s important in life using music as a storyline.  And the nominees are..........

The winners will be announced on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.

We speak to Elana Cowen today. She is a recitalist and performer.  This month, she is playing Rona Lisa Perett with THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Elana previewed one of her favorite songs with our audience!

Landmark Musical Theatre’s production of THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE will feature two different casts (the Alpha Cast and the Betta Cast) who will be performing at specific performances. The full schedule of performances for each cast is available at LandmarkMusicals.com.

We are also featuring Putumayo's World Groove album - an upbeat, global dance party that features the hottest blends of world music with electronica, dance music and more. World Groove features two French DJ collaboratives, Rouge Rouge and Major Boys, as well as Turkish star Mustafa Sandal, German electronic pop group 2raumwohnun, and a collaboration between Algerian raï legend Cheb Mami and popular French hip-hop singer K-Mel. Featured African artists include the late Brenda Fassie (who passed away just as the compilation was being finalized), Malian fusionist Issa Bagayogo and Congolese/Belgian group Zap Mama. Also featured on World Groove are Cuban electro-son pioneer Edesio and Lebanese star Ragheb Alama, one of the most popular singers in the Middle East.

Track Listing:

Attention 3:49

Aya Benzer 3:47

Ich Weib Warum 3:46

Sous le Soleil 4:34

Nogo 5:28

Miss.Q.In 4:29

Parisien du Nord 3:29

Ama-Gents 4:35

El Sopon de Yuya 4:24

Saharony Ellil 5:30

We got our mojo!  Do you? 

“We simply want to SHOUT from the rooftops that we are back,” says SBMT Executive Director Sara K. Dean. “This production—an infectious cross between MAMMA MIA! and the ‘Austin Powers’ films—is heartwarming, joyous, and perfect for welcoming our audience and artists. Today Global Ginga has the sound track on the turning tables and is chatting with Sara K Dean about the production and opening night of SHOUT! The Mod Musical.  Get your boots on, Mod girls!

SHOUT features Petula Clark’s song ‘Downtown,’ which says it best: ‘Maybe we will see you there; we can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares.’

This episode continues with a music compilation of the RARE groove category! From British Strut Records, we present music jewels from 1968 to 1980. Funk, soul, samba and the influence of black music in Brazil! Artists like Tim Maia, Genival Cassaino (Os Diagonais) & Toni Tornado drew from the US soul and funk of Motown, Stax and James Brown to create their own blend of 'soul brasileiro'.

Enjoy your trip back to the 60's!

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Nós simplesmente queremos GRITAR do topo da garganta que estamos de volta”, disse Sara K. Dean, Diretora Executiva do SBMT. “Esta produção - um cruzamento infeccioso entre MAMMA MIA! e os filmes ‘Austin Powers’ - são comoventes, alegres e perfeitos para receber nosso público e artistas. Hoje o episódio do Global Ginga está com a trilha sonora vitrolinha e está conversando com Sara K Dean sobre a produção e a noite de abertura de SHOUT! O Mod Musical. Calcem suas bonitas, meninas!

SHOUT apresenta a música de Petula Clark "Downtown", que diz melhor: "Talvez nos veremos lá; podemos esquecer todos os nossos problemas, esquecer todas as nossas preocupações."

Este episódio continua com uma compilação de música da categoria RARE groove! Da British Strut Records, apresentamos joias da música de 1968 a 1980. Funk, soul, samba e a influência da música negra no Brasil! Artistas como Tim Maia, Genival Cassaino (Os Diagonais) e Toni Tornado se inspiraram no soul e funk norte-americano da Motown, Stax e James Brown para criar sua própria mistura de 'soul brasileiro'.

Aproveite sua viagem de volta aos anos 60!

Unlike many albums coming out now that have a very real time-stamp on them reflecting on the past year, Alex Cuba was determined to create an album outside of that perspective. The result? Mendó, one of Cuba's most collaborative albums to date, sounding like it just came from a party we all should be attending. 

Sax and Flute player, Ze Carlos Bigorna, from Brazil, brings a rich album called Yramaia, touched down in different parts of the world and created a very unique sound in every track. The musical arrangements are very rich, exquisite and groovy!

The playlist includes:

Alex Cuba - Solo Mía feat Leonel Garica

Magic System -Ki dit mié   Album:  Ki dit mié  

Leticia Sabatella - Sentido do Samba - Caravana Tonteria

Zé Carlos Bigorna -Porangaba/Sapo Martelo/Cajuzinho do Brasil 

Alex Cuba _ Mirame - feat Gilberto Rosa

Alex Cuba feat Raul Midon

Zé Carlos Bigorna -  Nova Ipanema - feat Paulinho Guitarra e Banda Azymuth

Rommel - Agô -Agô

Zé Carlos Bigorna - A Bailarina e o Sonhador

Alejandro Sanz feat Javier Limón - Mamá Africana

Alex Cuba -  H x H feat Cimafunk

Jason Derulo - Love not War - Love not War (The Tampa Beat)

Luz Pinos - Capuli - Capulí

Marissa Our - Aqui me tienes Aqui me tienes

Alex Cuba - Si tu me quieres - feat Gian Marco

Joshua Radin - A World To Explore

Unlike many albums coming out now that have a very real time-stamp on them reflecting on the past year, Alex Cuba was determined to create an album outside of that perspective. The result? Mendó, one of Cuba's most collaborative albums to date, sounding like it just came from a party we all should be attending. The title, Mendó, is an afro Cuban word meaning substance of the soul. Music as it best accompanies us in our life transitions and helps process emotions in ways our science has yet to understand. The six guests on the album, Lila Downs, Cimafunk, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Raul Midon, Antonio Carmona and Gian Marco are all dear to Alex and showcase the talent and versatility of Latin American music to evolve while staying true to it’s afro Latin heritage. 

Sax and Flute player, Ze Carlos Bigorna, from Brazil, brings a rich album called Yramaia, featuring top notch musicians like Maurício Einhorn, Romero Lubambo, Pretinho da Serrinha, Wilson das Neves, Laudir de Oliveira, and Banda Azimuth. The album touched down in different parts of the world and created a very unique sound in every track. The musical arrangements are very rich, exquisite and groovy! 

You got to hear these two!

Casual encounter or fate? Hear the amazing story of how Bella Litman met Mariene de Castro leading to a beautiful song from the Afro-Brazilian mythology in Portuguese and Hebrew.

How can we live in a peaceful world if we can't have inner peace?  Our first music block is focused on music that creates the magical energy that leads to inner peace. We featured Aeromancias, Taffetas, Jaja Bashengezi and Herbie Hancock with Céu.

We have stories, chillout music, prayer in form of music, new releases by Bacilos, Carlos Vives and Fonseca, and the premier of Hamilton de Holanda and Mestrinho (mandolin & accordion) duo from the live show titled "Canto de Praya."  Let's ginga!