#3815: John Schaefer's Best of 2015 (Special Podcast)

Hear 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, 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,” by composer Sarah Kirkland Snider. Also, listen to music from the eight precise voices of the band Roomful of Teeth, from their 2015 release “Render,” 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 previous “Chamber Music” record) with 2015’s riveting “Musique de Nuit,” 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, 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 Best of 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 065

ARTIST: Sarah Kirkland Snider
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 Dark Age
SOURCE: New Amsterdam Records - #NWAM 062

ARTIST: GABI
WORK: Koo Koo, excerpt [2:54]
RECORDING: Sympathy
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.com

ARTISTS: Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal
WORK: Samba Tomora [3:50]
RECORDING: Musique de Nuit
SOURCE:  Six Degrees Records 

ARTIST: Kaia Kater
WORK: When Sorrows Encompass Me Round [2:58]
RECORDING: Sorrow Bound
SOURCE: kaiakater.com

ARTISTS: Sam Lee & Friends
WORK: Bonny Bunch of Roses [4:11]
RECORDING: The Fade in Time
SOURCE: The Nest Collective Records TNCR 003
INFO: samleesong.co.uk

ARTIST: Public Service Broadcasting
WORK: The Other Side [6:21]
RECORDING: The Race for Space
SOURCE: Test Card Recordings
INFO: musicglue.com

Revisit John Schaefer's “Best Of 2015” shortlist, with works by Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal, Missy Mazzoli & Victoire, Public Service Broadcasting, Sam Lee & Friends, & Kaia Kater.