Last modified on Tue 26 Jan 2021 06.13 EST
Imagine an anthology of 20th-century music making that purposely ignored pop, rock, jazz, blues, country, classical and opera. Cue outrage, at least from English-speaking listeners. But away from the western canon that has come to dominate our conception of music-making, much of the world was busy creating swathes of very different, extremely beautiful music.
These overlooked styles are collated on a new 100-track compilation, An Alternate History of the Worldâs Music, and presumptuous as it may seem to announce that the best album of 2021 has already been released, to my mind itâs unlikely it will be topped. Helmed by Dust-to-Digital, the US label that has done a magnificent job with box sets chronicling overlooked areas of pre-second world war music, the digital release also features a 186-page ebook (complete with beautiful illustrations like the ones here), in which every tune gets discussed â the first is a South Africa
A new online radio station with an emphasis on artists and music from Middle Eastern and North African countries (MENA) has launched this week.
Delivered by EastEast.World magazine in conjunction with Cultural Creative Agency, EastEast.Radio is a 24/7 global streaming platform hosting archival and contemporary recordings to connect new audiences with the music of MENA countries.
With exclusive collaborations from international musicians, DJs, and labels, the station aims to present a diverse line-up by spotlighting lesser-known instruments, genres, and musicians alongside emerging modern talent.
The station will also showcase a programme of podcasts complimenting EastEast.World’s written content to stimulate fresh conversations about a variety of topics in the global music scene - from the decolonization of musicology to contemporary philosophy, book reviews, and introductions to traditional music genres.