Main content
This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer

A-Z of World Music

Compilation of world music from the 1970s to the present day, including Kimmo Pohjonen, the Yamato Drummers, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sevara Nazarkhan, Orchestra Baobab and more.

Journeying through the alphabet, a showcase of music from across the world - from Africa to Uzbekistan, Norway to South America, India to Louisiana and everywhere in between.

Featured instruments include Kimmo Pohjonen's accordion, the impressively large drums of the Yamato Drummers and the extraordinary vocals of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The helter-skelter ride takes us from the 1970s, through to the explosion of acts in the 1980s, right up to the most sought-after musicians on the world music circuit today.

From Sevara Nazarkhan's pin-drop solo to a crowd-moving set from Orchestra Baobab, this is a compilation that presents a fun, vibrant snapshot of the range of traditional music that has captured audiences the world over.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sun 23 Jul 201702:05
BBC Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    The Yamato Drummers of Japan

    Rakuda 

  • 00:00

    Fela Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt 80

    Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense 

  • 00:02

    Gotan Project

    Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)

  • 00:03

    Mahotella Queens

    O Boshako (Take Back Your Ring) 

  • 00:04

    Kimmo Pohjonen

    Keko 

  • 00:05

    Angélique Kidjo

    Batonga 

  • 00:07

    Bisserov Sisters

    Elenko Mome Malenko 

  • 00:08

    Trio Bulgarka, Nadka Karadjova & Bisserov Sisters

    Zaplakala E Gorata 

  • 00:09

    Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir

    Lazarski Bouenets 

  • 00:09

    Nando Da Cruz

    Petit Pays

    Singer: Cesária Évora. Performer: Paulino Vieira. Performer: Osvaldo Dias. Performer: Armando Tito. Performer: Toy Vieira. Performer: Ramiro Mendes.
  • 00:11

    JJC & 419 Squad

    Malemisita 

  • 00:12

    The Drummers of Burundi

    Urarangwa 

  • 00:12

    The Dhol Foundation

    Big Drum Small World 

  • 00:13

    The Yamato Drummers of Japan

    Rakuda 

  • 00:15

    Ethiopiques 

    Mekeyershin Salawq 

  • 00:17

    Ali Farka Touré

    Goye Kur 

  • 00:18

    Paco de Lucía

    Entre Dos Aguas 

  • 00:19

    Björk & Raimundo Amador

    So Broken 

  • 00:21

    Gilberto Gil

    Garota De Ipanema 

  • 00:23

    Rodrigo y Gabriela

    Mr. Tang 

  • 00:25

    Nana Mouskouri, The Athenians & The Mike Sammes Singers

    Milisse Mou 

  • 00:27

    Ibrahim Ferrer

    Buenos Hermanos 

  • 00:28

    Paul Hardcastle

    The Wizard ('Top of The Pops' Theme Tune)

  • 00:31

    Jorge Ben Jor

    Mas Que Nada 

  • 00:33

    King Sunny Adé and His African Beats

    Mo Ti Mo 

  • 00:34

    King Sunny Adé

    Synchro System 

  • 00:36

    The Klezmatics

    Lolly Lo 

  • 00:37

    Toumani Diabaté

    Alla L'aa Ke 

  • 00:38

    Mory Kanté

    Ye Ke Ye Ke

  • 00:40

    Paul Simon

    Homeless

    Music Arranger: Joseph Shabalala. Choir: Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
  • 00:42

    Master Musicians of Joujouka

    Lah'n Tarheeb 

  • 00:43

    Oumou Sangaré

    Ah Ndiya 

  • 00:44

    Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

    Allah Hoo Allah Hoo

  • 00:48

    Osibisa

    Move Your Body 

  • 00:49

    Orchestra Baobab

    On Verra Ca 

  • 00:50

    Gheorghe Zamfir

    Mult Ma - Ntreaba Inima 

  • 00:53

    Incantation

    Cacharpaya

  • 00:54

    Susana Baca & Ali Farka Touré

    Toro Mata 

  • 00:55

    Amália Rodrigues

    Meu Nome Sabe - Me A Areia 

  • 00:57

    Mariza & Buckwheat Zydeco

    O Gente Da Minha Terra 

  • 00:59

    Khaled

    Wahrane 

  • 01:00

    Khaled

    Didi 

  • 01:02

    Ravi Shankar & Alla Rakha

    Rag Bihag 

  • 01:04

    Celia Cruz

    Cucala 

  • 01:08

    Taraf de Haïdouks

    Return Of The Magic Horses 

  • 01:11

    Sevara Nazarkhan

    Gazli 

  • 01:13

    Sheila Chandra

    Speaking In Tongues Iii 

  • 01:16

    Rip Rig + Panic

    You're My Kind Of Climate 

  • 01:17

    Nigel Kennedy & Kroke

    Kukush

  • 01:18

    Miriam Makeba

    Jol' M Komo 

  • 01:19

    Youssou Ndour

    Set 

  • 01:21

    Youssou Ndour & Neneh Cherry

    7 Seconds

  • 01:24

    Zap Mama

    Mupepe 

BBC Four: World Music Season

BBC Four: World Music Season

This programme is part of BBC Four's World Music Season.

From afrobeat to zydeco via juju, panpipes and Uzbek folk, this is the story of the music that broadened our horizons.

Credit

Executive ProducerMark Cooper

Broadcasts

Featured Artists

Featured Artists

Find out more about the acts in the programme.