I've never wanted Global A Go-Go to be "that show that's always talking about musicians who died," but sometimes you just have to stop and pay your tribute. Tribute is certainly due in the case of Eddie Palmieri, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88.
By any reasonable reckoning one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, Palmieri is responsible for many of the innovations that have made Latin music such a dynamic cultural force. When you listen to salsa today, or Latin jazz, or Latin soul, almost everything you're hearing builds on his ideas, compositions and recordings. The whole second hour this week will be devoted to Palmieri's music of the 1960s and 70s.
Also this week (Sunday August 10, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site), I'll resume the tribute I started three weeks ago to Chris "Mu" Faiumu of the pioneering New Zealand band Fat Freddy's Drop with selections from their four most recent albums.
Plus you'll hear from Mulatu Astatke, who's blessedly still with us at age 81 and will soon release Mulatu Plays Mulatu, a valedictory statement that Mulatu calls "the culmination of my work bringing [Ethio-jazz] to the world," and more new Ethio-jazz from The Sorcerers.
