Seven previous episodes of our Across the Continents section dealt mostly with instrumental music. Now, the time for the vocals has come. All these songs are sharing a hope for a better world. What can be more inspiring?

1. Kenneth Dahl Knudsen – Atlas (2022)

🇩🇰 🇺🇦 🇹🇷 🇷🇴 🇸🇾 🇮🇱 🇩🇪 Our episode opens with an international orchestra assembled by Danish maestro Kenneth Dahl Knudsen. Under his leadership, musicians from Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, Syria, Israel, and Germany worked on this outstanding album. Each of their contributions not only added variety and authenticity to the sound, but also provided a unique journey through the cities and locales. These geographical anchors became the titles for the corresponding tracks.

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2. De Kaboul A Bamako – Sowal Diabi (2022)

🇲🇱 🇮🇷 🇦🇫 🇹🇷 🇫🇷 This extraordinary project brought together twelve performers. They are the musicians from different parts of the globe, united by a common mission. This common idea does not have to be expressed in a formula or in any description. It is enough to listen to these voices to get the idea. By the way, we the listeners also do live in different places and circumstances but can join the unity. Here are songs rooted in the traditions of Afghanistan, Turkey, Mali, ancient Persia and other places and diverse peoples.

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3. Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon – Small Small (2022)

🇬🇭 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🇳🇬 🇵🇱 Here is another international release, big and important despite the name. Its title is a literal translation into English, coming from a Ghanian saying. The meaning is something close to “little by little”, or “step by step.” It’s worth listening to these recordings as they discover simple truths. This journey cures accumulated fatigue and brings the freshness of emptiness. Study the lyrics of the compositions at your leisure and their meaning will sparkle for you with all its colors.

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4. Korkoro – Other Stories (2022)

🇩🇪 🇵🇱 🇮🇱 This Berlin based group draws on the musical heritage of Eastern and Southern Europe. Of course, there are no borders or any framework and both the rhythms of the East and well-known Western melodies meet. For instance, you’ll find nice variations on “Caravan” and “Bella Ciao”. The quartet deftly switches between themes and trends, combining them with each other. Every time they involve different context, either openly or leaving Easter eggs. The opportunity of solving this mosaic is left for your attempt.

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5. Project Locrea – Project Locrea (2023)

🇧🇬 🇦🇷 🇨🇳 🇪🇹 🇵🇪 🇺🇸 Let us pass one more session of the universal language. It is spoken here by a whole galaxy of talented artists united in a super group. Its name is inextricably linked to two components: love and creativity. The album under the same name was released a year ago. It presents a precious collection of wondrous world folk. By paying attention to detail, the band was able to achieve a special state of sound. This music is easy to listen to and will definitely encourage you.

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