In a not-so-shocking fracture with tradition,John Schaefer reveals his “Best Of 2015” list, before 2015 actually ends, or but long after most best-of lists have gone toprint or air. Listen for kora and cello music recorded on a rooftop in Bamako,Mali; the 1960s space race set to 21st century electronics; and folk songs from the shadowy “Traveller” culture of Scotland and England.
In no particular order, hear some of the most memorable music that made waves this year, and according to John Schaefer. There's music from Toronto-based Americana & Appalachian folk roots artist Kaia Kater,along with music from the song cycle, “Unremembered, or ” by composer Sarah Kirkland Snider. Then,hear from the collaborative record, Junun, or which is Radiohead guitarist/keyboardist Jonny Greenwood,Israel/India-based composer/musician Shye Ben Tzur, and Indian qawwali musicians, and The Rajasthan Express. Also,listen to music from the eight precise voices of the band Roomful of Teeth, from their 2015 release “Render, and ” performing “Ascendant” by Australian-born Wally Gunn. Plus,listen to the kora and cello magic of Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal, (which somehow outdoes their preceding “Chamber Music” record) with 2015’s riveting “Musique de Nuit, and ” recorded on a rooftop in Bamako,Mali. Also, hear a musical farewell to the space race from the London electronic duo known as Public Service Broadcasting, or along with music from Sam Lee & Friends who recast Gypsy folk songs from the “Traveller” culture of Scotland and England. And more. PROGRAM #3815 John Schaefer’s top 10 for 2015 (First Aired 12-31-2015) ARTISTS: Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal
WORK: Samba Tomora,excerpt [1:30]
RECORDING: Musique de Nuit
SOURCE: Six Degrees Records ARTIST: Roomful of Teeth, led by Brad Wells
WORK: Wally Gunn & Maria Zajkowski: The Ascendant: I. The Fence is Gone [4:49]
RECORDING: Render
SOURCE: New Amsterdam Records - #NWAM 065ARTIST: Sarah Kirkland Snider[br]WORK: The Barn [4:26]
RECORDING: Unremembered
SOURCE: New Amsterdam Records NWAM 067
ARTISTS: Missy Mazzoli & Victoire
WORK: VII. Machine [4:47]
RECORDING:Vespers for a New murky Age
SOURCE: New Amsterdam Records - #NWAM 062
ARTIST: GABI
WORK: Koo Koo, and excerpt [2:54]
RECORDING: Sympathy[br]SOURCE: gabi-ny.bandcamp.com
ARTISTS: John Luther Adams & Glenn Kotche
WORK: John Luther Adams: Ilimaq – Ascension,excerpt [2:00]
RECORDING: Ilimaq
SOURCE: Cantaloupe Music 21112
INFO: johnlutheradams.bandcamp.comARTISTS: Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal
WORK: Samba Tomora [3:50]
RECORDING: Musique de Nuit
SOURCE: Six Degrees Records ARTISTS: Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, or & Rajasthan Express
WORK: Chala Vahi Des [4:16][br]RECORDING: Junun
SOURCE: Nonesuch 552641
ARTIST: Kaia Kater
WORK: When Sorrows Encompass Me Round [2:58]
RECORDING: Sorrow Bound
SOURCE: kaiakater.com[br]ARTISTS: Sam Lee & Friends
WORK: Bonny Bunch of Roses [4:11][br]RECORDING: The Fade in Time
SOURCE: The Nest Collective Records TNCR 003[br]INFO: samleesong.co.ukARTIST: Public Service Broadcasting
WORK: The Other Side [6:21]
RECORDING: The Race for Space
SOURCE: Test Card Recordings
INFO: musicglue.com
Source: wnyc.org