All Vinyl A to Z of Africa (Season 2 - Ep.11) - South Africa to Togo

Welcome to the All Vinyl A to Z of Africa (Season 2) with Natalie and Alban Low. Our aim is to track down a vinyl record from all 60+ African countries, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, and everywhere in between. Each week we feature 5 countries, this week it is South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland/Eswatini, Tanzania and Togo. We hear from a forgotten songwriter, a musical headmaster, and the King of Gazo. This programme is part of the A World in London family of radio programmes. Listen to the 1st series on SOAS Radio.

Listen to episode 11 here - https://www.mixcloud.com/AlbanLow/all-vinyl-a-to-z-of-africa-season-2-ep11-south-africa-to-togo/

Tracklist
1. S. Tshabalala - Bonakele
2. Abdel Gadir Salim - Umri Ma Bansa
3. Group Of Young Swazi Man And Girls - Incaba KaNcofula
4. Cuban Marimba Band - Ngoma Iko Huku
5. Roger Damawuzan & Les As Du Bénin - Wait For Me

Next week it's the end of our series with a visit to Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

South Africa to Togo (All Vinyl A to Z of Africa) Ep.10

Join me on a journey across Africa, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, one country, one record at a time.

Episode 10 is here for you to enjoy https://soasradio.org/music/episodes/ep-10-south-africa-to-togo-all-vinyl-a-to-z-of-africa

Take a trip with me to South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania and Togo. This week we hear a UK dance floor classic from a Soweto born singer, music from a band who are over 100 years old, and songs from a flock of Africa’s feathered musicians.

Tracklist 
1 – Letta Mbulu – Mahlalela  (Mukatsuku Records)
2 – Abdel Aziz El Mubarak – Ahla Eyyoun (Globe Style)
3 – Oiseaux D’Afrique – Heuglin’s Robin (L’Oiseau Musicien)
4 – Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club – Waridi Lisilo Miba (Globe Style)
5 – Bella Bellow – Zelie (Akue)

This radio programme is part of the A World In London Radio Series, more information at http://djritu.squarespace.com/

Lockdown here in London has had its challenges and I've been blessed with a fairly carefree life. Although I have missed my nights sketching in the clubs and nightspots of the capital I've used my time to research my first ever radio programme. Every evening I'm been trying to track down vinyl, records and shellac from Africa, and nearly every day a new package is brought by the postman. I've now managed to find a record from each African country and brought these together in twelve 20 minute programmes on SOAS radio.

The Interloper's Guide to Sennar (Sudan) Ep.4

From the safety of your own home travel with us to Sennar in Sudan. The latest episode of The Interloper's Guide is out today https://www.mixcloud.com/AlbanLow/the-interlopers-guide-to-sennar-sudan-ep4/ with Harvey Wells, Kevin Acott and Alban Low. 20 minutes of music and spoken vignettes. In Episode 4 they visit Sennar, a town on the Blue Nile, south of Sudan's capital Khartoum (population 100,000+). This programme is part of the 'A World in London' radio series

Listen here or follow the link - https://www.mixcloud.com/AlbanLow/the-interlopers-guide-to-sennar-sudan-ep4/


Tracklist
1 - Nile Waves - The Scorpions
2 - Falling Higher - Gaidaa
3 - Sudan - MaMan and Aidyproof
4 - Samha - The Scorpios

Alban talks about my grandfather who worked with the Sudan Defence Force in 1929, and was hit by a canon shot loaded with nails and bed casters. He was a very keen linguist and during his convalescence in the UK studied languages at SOAS. He went on to be the liaison officer and interpreter for King Faisal II of Iraq at George VI's Coronation in 1937.