I’ve yet to hear a bad track from Kraftwerk. Thanks the my incredible friends on my Facebook feed who pointed me to this lilting piece of electronic music.
Music
[Music] Afghanistan’s Institute of Music

All due credit and respect goes to my dear brother Paolo Merolla, who pointed me to this article from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Afghanistan has a magnificent music tradition, and though the place is still a hotbed of Satanic Taliban butchery, people have decided to revive their culture piece by piece.
[Music] Journey – Topaz (1975)
I loathe Steve Perry. No, not as a person. I’m sure he’s swell and a blast to hang out with. I mean what he did to Journey. Former members of Santana, guitarist Neal Schon and vocalist Gregg Rolie, started the band out as a really good jazz-fusion band, touched a bit with hard rock. Perry’s vocals killed the band, at least for me, though millions of screaming teeny-boppers will, no doubt, tell me otherwise.
[Music] Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That
A bit of boogaloo to start your day, courtesy of Pete Rodriguez.
[Music] Mahmoud Ahmed – Hulum bègizéw nèw
Some funky Ethiopian soul, courtesy of Mahmoud Ahmed, one of the best voices of the old guard.
[Music] Leo Brouwer – “Recuerdos de Lieja” : Piazzolla, La Muerte del Angel (Live in Lukowski Festival)
Leo Brouwer comes from a distinguished pedigree, being the grandnephew of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. His grotesque support of Communism aside, he is among the finest classical music guitarists of his generation, and his handling of Astor Piazzolla, in particular, is extremely impressive.
[Music] Twenty Sixty Six and Then – Winter
Fine, heavy, expansive Krautrock from one of the better German bands of the era, 2066 (Twenty Sixty Six) and Then.
[Music] Madredeus – O Brasil
For my Mari, who has made me appreciate what Brazil has to offer. Madredeus and wonderful company today. I can’t ask for much more than that.
[Music Podcast] ‘Zakho #22’ by Rocky B
Zakho#22 by Rocky B on Mixcloud
An extremely impressive radio program out of Israel covering World Music. For more, contact Rocky B. at his website, or directly at Mixcloud.
[Music] Bulat Gafarov – Ya JAleyka
I can’t say that I know much about Bulat Gafarov personally, other than he’s both a fine multi-instrumentalist and a friend on Facebook, but he’s really quite an amazing talent. An ethnic Russia, he’s comfortable with music from India, China and Central Asia, as well as the regional music of places like Tatarstan and Siberia.