(photo via here)

Public radio is far and away my primary source for discovering new music. The other night I caught the second half of this episode of New Sounds, “Frontiers of Flamenco,” which focuses on flamenco music’s intersection with the music of India, West Africa and North Africa.  I know it’s cliche to say but the music selected for the program really takes you on a journey through so many different cultures.  I find it mesmerizing!  You can hear the show through the link above.

On a semi-related note, I took flamenco dance for awhile when I was younger.  I remember the weight of skirt and the height of the heels.  Though I found it nearly impossible to keep a beat with the castanets, something about the confident posture you have to hold and the demeanor you’re meant to maintain made the whole experience feel light and playful.