Mariama

A broadcast as a musical farewell to 2022 with a selection from the most surprising albums of the past year. Thus no nostalgic harking back to Queen, but touching real-life queens. In other words, singers who naturally draw on their tradition reflect the versatile pop sound of 2022. Like Oumou Sangare, Souad Massi, Manou Gallo, Rosalia and the most significant discovery of all: Meral Polat. Complemented by sublime cellist (Abel Selaocoe), virtuoso kora player (Ablaye Cissoko), challenging ensemble (Arifa), playful singer (Mario Lucio) and afro-style innovator K.O.G. All are bridge-builders who naturally forge disparate styles into an appealing unity. Moreover, they open the window to new worlds of music, offering a hopeful look ahead to 2023.

1) Manou Gallo- Mario (Ivory Coast)
CD: Aliso, vol.1 (Contre Jour, 2022)

2) Oumou Sangare- Sarama (Mali)
CD: Timbuktu (World Circuit, 2022)

3) Meral Polat Trio- Ez ki me (NL)
CD: Ez ki me (Meral Polat Records, 2022)

4) Meral Polat Trio- Gel dedi (NL)
CD: Ez ki me (Meral Polat Records, 2022)

5) K.O.G- Like a tree (Ghana)
CD: Zone 6, Agege (Heavenly Sweetness/Pura Vida Sounds, 2022)

6) Rosalia- Bulerias (Spain)
CD: Motomami (Columbia, 2022)

7) Mario Lucio- Mi so (Cabo Verde)
CD: Migrants (Vangé, 2022)

8) Arifa- Danubian voyage (NL)
CD: Danubian voyage (O-Tone Music, 2022)

9) Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto- Troisième Z (Senegal & France)
CD: Instant (Ma Case, 2022)

10) Abel Selaocoe- Zawose (S.Africa/ UK)
CD: Where is home (Parlophone Records, 2022)

11) Souad Massi- Mirage (France/ Algeria)
CD: Sequana (Backingtrack Productions, 2022)

12) Manou Gallo- Lady (Ivory Coast)
CD: Aliso, vol.1 (Contre Jour, 2022)

Music tips for 2023

1) Meral Polat Trio tour, see https://meralpolat.nl
2) become musically worldly with the magazine Songlines, https://www.songlines.co.uk
3) listening concert of Arifa back on Concertzender: Arifa October 10, 2021