Χρήστος Δάντης - Maya Maya - Official Video Clip

Finding songs to like from Cyprus is not an easy task for me. For one thing, there's the island's split personality between Greek and Turk, so problematic right there in forging an identity separate from those mother countries. Greeks dominate on YouTube, but it's mostly Eurovision-style hunk and hot-bod models standing among smoke machines and wind machines singing in auto-tune to drum machines--great. Once in a while something interesting pops up...

Tulsa - Estúpida

Spain is a musical monster, so trying to pick out something to symbolize it would be like doing the same in the US, if for no other reason than Spanish is a language that far extends between the boundaries of any one country, including Spain. And they rock. Ever wonder what happened to Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Shakira et al? They all went back to their native language where they could be stars again, not runner-ups, and where they gather hits and likes that surpass Beyoncé and equal Taylor. And then there are the indies, playing away for love or money or--whatever...

Cuba Music, Chill Out Coffee Shop, relaxing Cuban music, Chillout,

Cuban music, almost ALL Cuban music, is such a pleasure to listen to that any attempt to limit access to any one genre does a disservice to the rest, whether it's mambo, salsa, Afro-Cuban folk or whatever. But for a country somewhat lost in the past, it's refreshing to see it right in step with the best of modern trends. This ain't Ricky Ricardo...

Kedinada Kuudu Hadannata Enne - Sewwandi Ranathunga (@ Maa Program)

I'll have to admit that I had a hard time finding music I like from Sri Lanka, where some of the most creative work comes from street buskers. I guess it's too close to Bollywood. It seems there's a new creative edge emerging, though, so good...

Video Killed the Radio Star--NOT!!!

You Tube is not the only place to find cool music around the globe. Good old-fashioned radio is still there and better than ever, IF you know where to look. This is a good place to start:

http://radio.garden/live/

Then if you find something you like, stay there a while, and pretend you're a local. That's the best part of travel. If it's community radio, then that will be easy. Here's a good one I found in Wellington, NZ:

http://www.worldfm.co.nz/

Happy surfing! Cheers, mate!

PAVEL "Čuvaj me" (Official Video)

Who says Croatia has no good indie music? Right, the more important question is: who knows where Croatia is on the map. Anyway, check this out...

المبدعة مكارم اغنية نسيت ايام ما كنا

Sudan doesn't get much press for its music, but maybe it should, connections with Ethiopian and Somali culture obvious and authentic...

Dobet Gnahore - Samahani

Cote D'Ivoire has all the typical crap rap and booty twerk endemic to the continent and the world these days. Fortunately it's also got better things to see and hear...

KAREYCE FOTSO LOMDIEU

Like many places Cameroon's best music tends to be the old stuff, akin to the highlife of neighboring countries in West Africa, modern pop mostly booty twerking and crotch shots with predictable and labored vocal themes from hand-picked heartthrobs, BUT--this lady's different, creating her own genre with every song...

Faluma - Ai Sa Si (Suriname/Sranan Original)

Suriname is one of those collage countries defined by its ingredients: Native American, Dutch, East Indian, Javanese, and some Africans more African than Africa itself. Most of the best music is the local Afro-Carib hybrid genre 'kaseko', but there is some semi-tribal stuff that reaches even deeper than that for inspiration...