Travelling moves us and transport us from one place to another, but during these days of lockdown, we’re all needing to find new ways of getting our inspiration fix 💡
Luckily, music also possesses the magical ability to move us between continents and between worlds, and it’s totally free and lockdown approved! ✅
So whether Bon Iver takes you back to your road-trip across the USA, or whether Ouomo was the soundtrack to your adventure around Africa, when you stop and listen - like, really listen - music has the ability to send us spinning around the world in seconds 🌍
And while we’re stuck inside, that sounds like a pretty special feeling to recreate, so here are our top artists and albums to transport you around the world, one continent at a time...
🇺🇸 Bon Iver
Bon Iver is the group, but Justin Vernon is the American singer songwriter most people think of when they hear the band referenced, Justin name checks a lot of locations in the band’s songs and he’s a guy who’s grown up and still lives in the same place - Wisconsin - so this album feels very much a product of America...
🇲🇱 Ali Farka Touré
When it comes to music, this guy basically is Mr Mali! He epitomises music from the country which is a special, almost sacred, part of everyday life.. His music is all soul and joy - no bad thing - and the second track on the album ‘Niafunké’ is insanely good!
Oh, and while we’re talking about Malian music, we have to give a special mention to this Oumou Sangaré album, and the first track (Ah Ndiya), in particular for it’s ability to get people with the biggest dancefloor phobias up and moving!
🇬🇭 Soundway presents Ghana Special
This record label does loads of compilations, and this one for Ghana is full of such amazing music that you’ll really get a sense of the spirit of the music and people there. Perfect for escaping your house without actually going outside!
⚜️Dr. John
OK, I know we’ve already had Bon Iver from the USA, but we had to include this because New Orleans feels like a country unto itself! Dr John was someone who lived and breathed New Orleans music. He saw the idea that gumbo, the cuisine of NA, is a stew of all these different foods from the area, and believed his music is sort of the musical equivalent. Sometimes murky, mysterious, compelling…it feels wild and touched with that New Orleans voodoo spirit!
🇨🇺 Buena Vista Social Club
A collection of Cuba’s legendary musicians came together to make this album, and it’s perfect for the hot summer days we’ve got coming our way! And even if you’ve never been to Cuba. you’ll almost be able to feel the rumble of those vintage cars rolling by, cigar smoke in the air…you get the idea! It’s a beaut of an album.
🇪🇹 ETHIOPIA: Ethiopiques, Vol. 4: Ethio Jazz 1969-1974
OK, now I know it’s a bit of a long title and it might sound a bit niche, but this is a collection of really beautiful soft jazz. Again, it’s a kind of mix of influences that have gone into it, but it’s mostly gentle melodic nourishing music.
🇳🇴 Kygo
With a mix of electronica, tech house, rock and hip-hop (sounds crazy, but when you’re in Norway...the mix just works!)
🇬🇧 Britpop Classics
Supergrass, The La’s, Blur - this is the quintessential musical guide to life in the UK. Plenty of guitar, some classic harmonies to throw you back to the Fab Four in the sixties and just enough irreverence to push the envelope of the day. Britpop is a timeless love affair and will send you soaring across the UK in seconds.
🇰🇵 GOT7
Known for their hugely energetic live performances, GOT7 shot to fame in 2014 and after a stint out of the spotlight, recently returned with their latest and more romantic track, “Not By The Moon”. Combining classic pop with contemporary rap, these guys will give you a sense of the buzz that life in Korea brings.
