I’m a huge world music fan though I do not profess to be an expert in this area at all. I know what I like and am always on the lookout for new bands and new resources.

One way to get my fix is to stream Darek Mazzone’s Wo’Pop program on KEXP.org. It allows me to go ‘round the world in a few hours. And because I stream it, I generally listen to each of his weekly programs at least a couple of times.

And because I’m always on the lookout, I came across an article in National Geographic Adventure recently that I thought was worth a mention here. The story was about a documentary filmmaker and music producer who is working to preserve the sounds of Gabon, Africa. Josh Ponte, along with well-known Gabonese folk musicians, traveled more than 3,400 miles to document traditional music in this West African country. The music consists of autonomous melodies and rhythms (meaning they don’t necessarily belong together). There might be 50 women, each singing a different song, much like the insects that that they hear in the forest – all jumbled in a mishmash but somehow working together.

Josh Ponte in Gabon

Ponte and his crew recorded over a hundreds hours of music and video to document this musical style which could easily become extinct. Like many ancient cultures around the globe, the Gabonese are seeing “improvements” in their every day life through the building of schools and hospitals, but perhaps at the cost of losing their traditions. Ponte’s project may be able to help preserve the culture and history through this project.

If you’re interested in exploring this music, here are some items on Amazon:

Music of the Bibayak Pygmies

Prophet: Gabon – Volume 17

Gabon – Myene Songs

Happy Travels!

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