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Music Interviews

A.R. Rahman Scores With 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman produced a driving, powerful score that's already earned a Golden Globe. His organic approach to writing draws on a simple desire to make people smile when they listen. The eclectic soundtrack also features collaborations with singer M.I.A.

A.R. Rahman Scores With 'Slumdog Millionaire'

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globalFEST

Shanbehzadeh Ensemble: Iranian Dance Music

WNYC Radio

The Iranian father-son team unfurled a mesmerizing set of what might be called the hidden Afro-Persian tradition. Saeid Shanbehzadeh sang, played flute and danced around his goatskin bagpipe as his son churned out hypnotic rhythms on two hand drums.

Shanbehzadeh Ensemble in Concert at globalFEST 2009

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Favorite Sessions

Umalali: The 'Voice' Of The Garifuna

KEXP

Put together by producer and musician Ivan Duran from Belize, Umalali seeks to revive the Garifuna culture of Central America. In a session from KEXP, the group performs a song by Andy Palacio, a talented Garifuna musician who died early last year.

Umalali in Studio on KEXP 9/15/08

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Review

Song Of The Day

Rokia Traore: Gershwin, By Way Of Mali

Traore isn't the first African singer to take on an American jazz standard, but her version of George and Ira Gershwin's "The Man I Love" sets a new standard. Channeling Billie Holiday without losing herself, Traore delivers a deeply satisfying read, subtly infused with African-ness as a lute converses with her electric guitar throughout.

The Man I Love

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Review

Song Of The Day

Bajofondo Crafts A Tango Rap Ballad

Trip-hop, rock en espanol and even hip-hop turn up in Mar Dulce, and if you're having trouble imagining a tango rap ballad, check out freestyler La Mala Rodriguez as she spits jotas in "El Anden" (The Platform). Her words hone in on a sense of loss as violins and miniature accordions scratch furiously in the background.

Andén

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New Music

DeVotchKa, Recorded Live In Concert

XPN

With an eclectic blend of styles ranging from Slavic music to American punk, the Denver-based band DeVotchKa has found widespread support for its film music (in Little Miss Sunshine and others) as well as its five full-length albums, the latest of which is last year's A Mad & Faithful Telling. Hear DeVotchKa perform live in concert from WXPN in Philadelphia.

DeVotchKa, Recorded Live In Concert

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globalFEST

Watcha Clan: Controlled Chaos In Concert

WNYC Radio

Though the room was packed with music lovers, many didn't know what to expect of Watcha Clan at Webster Hall in New York City. The French band's globalFEST performance was filled with deep bass and frenetic electronic beats mixing the sounds from around the world in a high energy performance.

Watcha Clan in Concert at globalFEST 2009

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Review

World Cafe

A Filial: Brazilian Skateboarders Meet Hip-Hop

XPN

Emerging from the skateboarding scene of Rio de Janeiro, A Filial melds Brazilian roots music with hip-hop. Though it's easy to assume that the group's beats are American-influenced, A Filial has developed a sound that's at home in an American skater's stereo, yet authentically Brazilian.

A Filial: Brazilian Skateboarders Meet Hip-Hop

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Review

All Songs Considered

GlobalFEST: A World Music Showcase

This year, All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen attended the GlobalFEST, featuring a dozen bands on three different stages. On this edition of All Songs Bob looks back at highlights from the festival.

GlobalFEST: A World Music Showcase

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Mountain Stage

Comparsa On Mountain Stage

When he was 10, Eduardo Canelon moved from Venezuela to the U.S. In his teens, he began to study the music of his homeland, and has since formed the band Comparsa, dedicated to exploring the music of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Comparsa in Concert on Mountain Stage - 01/16/2009

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Music News

The Rise And Fall Of The Music Industry

Fresh Air

Rolling Stone contributing editor Steve Knopper chronicles the rise of the record industry — and its subsequent digital-age collapse — in his new book, Appetite For Self-Destruction.

The Rise And Fall Of The Music Industry

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