The paths are crossing somewhere in the middle. Image by lunamontem

1. Guo Gan, Zoumana Tereta, Richard Bourreau – Saba Sounds (2022)

🇨🇳 🇲🇱 🇫🇷 Three related instruments from completely different parts of the world had joined one trio. These violins come in very different forms as you can easily mention. Their sound conveys images of mountains, forests and deserts. Asia, Africa and Europe are at one point and are united by the universal language of music. On this album, the traditional music of many cultures acquires new qualities and volumes. It allows the feeling to penetrate into the hearts, including the ones which are lonely and scattered around the world.

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2. Ben Aylon – Xalam (2021)

🇮🇱 🇸🇳 🇲🇱 “Xalam”, the best album of the year 2021 according to Songlines Magazine, has finally arrived at the Selected Goosebumps blog. It is a precious gem coming to us from the ocean. Ben Aylon offers his self-made soundtrack of his travels and ongoing research on the roots of the music. Joined by brilliant Senegalese and Malian artists, Ben continued playing his xalam and percussion. Finally he had managed to create a real musical tribe consisting of himself and all the people inspired by him. This album took 7 years to be completed. However, it is listened in one breath.

Get this album via bandcamp | spotify | deezer | apple | youtube

3. Hélène Seiyu – Reflection (2021)

🇫🇷 🇳🇱 🇯🇵 Shakuhachi is one of the instruments whose mystical sound is easily recognized by audiences around the world and is immediately associated with the East. The Japanese bamboo flute takes pride of place in Helen’s collection of more than 50 wind instruments from all over the world. Shakuhachi voice is the only thing that you hear on this album, and that’s enough to transform human breath into something eternal that resonates with nature. Beware of the goosebumps crawling upon your skin during thoughtful listening.

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4. Atine – Persiennes d’Iran (2023)

🇮🇷 🇵🇸 🇫🇷 For the sake of brevity, the title of this album got a reference to Persian music only. In fact, this brilliant band revives not only Middle Eastern, but Mediterranean, Arabic and European music as well. Some of the passages appear to be close to jazz improvisations, while others refer to flamenco, baroque and early music. The songs are performed on such instruments as tar, kanun, viola da gamba and tombak. And, of course, you’ll enjoy fiery vocals that adorn these bright compositions.

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5. The Other – The Other (2022)

🇬🇧 🇧🇷 🇮🇷 🇨🇱 Our episode wraps up with a project which was crystallized in Scotland. It involves people from all over the planet. There are representatives of such different countries and cultures as Brazil, Iran, Chile. Therefore, in addition to traditional Scottish motives, you will also hear themes related to Persian and South American music and also many elements that do not fit into any framework. It happens to be other music, free and rushing towards the “global spirit” that is in the title of this episode.

Get this album via bandcamp