The Sound Odyssey with Gemma Cairney returns to BBC Radio 4

Wednesday 11, 18, 25 September and 2 October 9-9.30am

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


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BBC Radio 4

Loyle Carner, Kate Stables of This is the Kit, Nubya Garcia and Roxanne Tataei feature in the second series of BBC Radio 4’s The Sound Odyssey.

TV and radio presenter, Gemma Cairney, will once again accompany four contemporary musicians to locations across the world as they collaborate with local artists; creating a new piece of music especially for the programme.

Gemma Cairney says: “Making The Sound Odyssey, I’m left ever inspired by the beautiful human connection created through music. Wherever the series takes us the appreciation for collaboration has prevailed and provided a truly unique journey in the few days that we record each one. I’m honoured to be able to bring these moments to Radio 4.”

James Runcie, BBC Radio 4’s Commissioning Editor for Arts, says: “The Sound Odyssey brings us joyful and rich cross-cultural projects which create something of unique beauty. Gemma’s guests are open, adventurous and curious, and share truly special music and experiences with Radio 4 listeners in this series.”

The Sound Odyssey takes rapper and Mercury prize nominee, Loyle Carner to Georgetown, Guyana. He joins flautist and composer Keith Waithe to explore South American melodies and beats. Although Loyle’s biological father is of Guyanese descent this is his first visit to the country, it’s an opportunity to delve deeper into the culture, and indeed his own identity.

Listeners are also transported to Casablanca, home to Gnawa music, and where folk-rock musician Kate Stables meets Asmaa Hamzaoui. Traditionally, women do not play Gnawa and performing in public is still a widespread taboo. But modern Gnawa is evolving, Asmaa - encouraged by her father, famous Gnawa master Rachid Hamzaoui - has become the first female guembri player in Morocco and one of the first around the world. She and Kate delve into the hypnotic rhythms of this Saharan music.

Saxophonist, composer and band leader, Nubya Garcia meets guitarist Girum Mezmur, a leading light in the vibrant music scene of Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Both artists are frontrunners in the recent resurgences of jazz in their respective hometowns, as such their collaboration is an exciting proposition.

Vocalists Roxanne Tataei and Callum Martin convene on the Isle of Harris. Calum has a special interest in Gaelic Psalm Singing, a unique acapella improvisatory singing style still practiced by congregations during their Sunday worship services, as well as pockets of African-American and Cree Indian congregations in the US. Born and raised in South London, Roxanne’s heritage is half-Jamaican and half-Iranian, she grew up learning psalms in church with her grandparents.

The Sound Odyssey

Wednesday 11, 18, 25 September and 2 October
9-9.30am

Source BBC Radio 4

August 16, 2019 11:32am ET by BBC Radio 4  

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