You are here

A World In London

SOAS Radio is truly excited to have DJ Ritu on board! Her show A World in London has long been a much-loved institution, recognized as the essential meeting point for world music fans and a hub for the industry. Originally broadcast on the BBC London, Ritu’s show has an unrivalled reputation for presenting a rich cultural mix that truly reflects the diverse musical tastes of London and its people.
Whether she's interviewing one of the leading lights of world music (past guests have included A R Rahman, Angelique Kidjo, Jah Wobble, Tinariwen, and Tarkan) or introducing listeners to new talent, Ritu’s down-to-earth approach demystifies world music, presenting it as a user-friendly genre which unites cultures and denies barriers.
For the very best sounds from all 4 corners of the globe, to hear the freshest (and often exclusive) new releases, to know who’s who, and what’s happening in town, check out A World In London every Wednesday at 3pm online and podcast!

East London born DJ Ritu began her career as a pop music expert in 1986. Since then she has been at the forefront of London’s global beats/world music scene. In the 90s she co-founded Outcaste Records signing Nitin Sawhney and Badmarsh & Shri. She created two bands – first the Asian Equation and later Sister India – for whom she mixed cool Asian Underground vibes with trip-hop, drum & bass, and techno. She has toured in over 30 countries from Istanbul to Cape Town, Cairo to Tokyo, Toronto to Riga, and beyond, performing at major venues and festivals such as The Big Chill & WOMAD, Royal Festival Hall & Trafalgar Square.
In 2006, when the late Charlie Gillett resigned from BBC London due to ill-health Ritu was the natural choice as his successor. She re-launched the Saturday night world music slot with a particular focus on the UK’s capital and its diverse communities, championing emerging local artists and giving them airspace alongside established international stars such as Tarkan, Angelique Kidjo, A.R. Rahman, Mariza, & Omara Portuondo.
Ritu’s weekly show for BBC3 Counties Radio is now 20 years in the running and is syndicated in Germany, Turkey, & online. She has broadcast for BBC World Service, Kiss 100, and more. Ritu is a Rough Guides CD compiler and she runs three London clubs where you can hear her in action playing her unique mixes of North African, Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean, and Bollywood flavours!

Non-stop music, new CDs, and an army of global sounds discussed on this AWIL by Ritu & Luna Silva!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio https://www.facebook.com/DjRitu Twitter:@djritu1 www.djritu.com

Arhai presented their excellent 2nd album, Eastern Roads, on this A World In London. Dynamic duo, Jovana Backovic & Adrian Lever, draw upon influences from Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Spain & Turkey to create a supreme wall of sound known as Balkantronica. A tribute to AWIL guest Bob Brozman, also in this episode.

A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio https://www.facebook.com/DjRitu Twitter:@djritu1 www.djritu.com

Los Desterrados returned to A World In London with their unique interpretations of Sephardic songs, and a powerful performance showcasing their superb latest CD, ‘Dos Amantes’. Don’t miss the album launch at Camden’s Jazz Cafe on May 7th!

Cambridge fusionists, Sunday Driver presented their ‘Mutiny’ album on this AWIL!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio https://www.facebook.com/DjRitu Twitter:@djritu1 www.djritu.com

Accordionist & composer Johanna Juhola dropped into AWIL from Finland with producer Tuomas Novio. Renowned for opening the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, Johanna is the champion of Fantasia Tango. Catch her on tour in the UK now via www.makingtrackslive.org.uk!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio https://www.facebook.com/DjRitu Twitter:@djritu1 www.djritu.com

Alejandro Toledo, minus his Magic Tombolinos, gave a great interview on this AWIL, and a sneak preview of the band’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Avante-Garde World’!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio https://www.facebook.com/DjRitu Twitter:@djritu1 www.djritu.com

La Linea Latin Music Festival takes place from Apr 12th till Apr 25th at various venues this year. Andy Wood from Como No! joins Ritu at AWIL to tell us more!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio https://www.facebook.com/DjRitu Twitter:@djritu1 www.djritu.com

Afrobeat pioneer, Dele Sosimi, returned to A World In London after a 5-year gap. Brilliant composer/ performer with a huge catalogue of achievements, Dele remains ever candid and modest, plus dedicated to keeping the spirit of Fela Kuti alive. See him on stage at Afrobeat Vibration this Saturday in The New Empowering Church, Hackney, and hear our exclusive play of his superb new single, TMI, on this AWIL!

A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio

New albums from Rokia Traore and Red Baraat feature in the non-stop global music mix for this A World In London!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio

It was a great honour to record singer Rafaqat Ali Khan for this A World In London. An exceptionally skilled & talented vocalist that has sung for major films like Krrish, Dhoka & Awarapan, Rafaqat comes from the illustrious Sham Chaurasia Gharana. One of the top Qawwals of our generation, he has also collaborated with Urban-Asian hit-maker Rishi Rich (Jay Sean, Juggy D, Craig David) and the Bollywood Brass Band. This man can turn his voice to anything so hear him live on this show to catch a full in-depth insight into his history and world vision!

Zambian singer/songwriter Namvula is a fresh new talent on London’s music scene. Harnessing influences from the many countries she’s lived in as well as an array of artists she has grown up listening to, Namvula’s own ‘sound’ is indefinable but very tasty! Hear her on this AWIL, alongside Senegalese percussionist Mamadou Sarr, to glimpse her debut album in the making!

World Radio Day and a non-stop global music session for this A World In London’. Fantastic new CDs including Ritu’s picks of the week, by Zucchero & Gnawa Diffusion!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio

Accomplished Congolese musician Mulele Matondo Afrika presented his beautiful yet challenging songs on this A World In London. Multi-layered compositions with the sweetest melodies and harmonies, it’s no surprise that Mulele’s debut album release in the UK, ‘Prophecy’, was CD of The Month in the World Music Network January chart. As a global ambassador for Africa, Mulele also brought his new song, ‘Mali La Paix’ exclusively to AWIL. Hear it here, first!
A World In London live on Wednesdays, 2pm, from SOAS Radio: mixlr.com/soasradio

Global music titans Rachid Taha, Goran Bregovic, Bassekou Kouyate, & Amparo Sanchez deliver outstanding new albums for 2013 and come under the spotlight on this A World In London!

World music giants Salif Keita, Khaled, & Mory Kante are back with new albums for 2013! Hear exclusive previews on this AWIL plus a spontaneous critique from SOAS student and AWIL assistant, Luna De Silva!

New music for the New Year and the glorious voices of The London Lucumi Choir! Eight members of this superb London group sang in perfect harmony on AWIL 69, covering Yoruba songs that have travelled from West Africa to Cuba, and back to the UK via arranger & choir founder, Daniela De Armas. Catch the London Lucumi Choir in full force at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green, this Friday, January 18th!

A Jolly Bolly Christmas at A World In London! Brit-Asian music legend Kuljit Bhamra brought his talented friends Chandy Nath (Sunday Driver), violinist Hazel Correa, Sindy Jassal (Sunrise Radio), and marketing guru Keith Errington to create a perfect Xmas party! Check out the wonderful Jolly Bolly Christmas CD and the antics of Bhangra Santa, Sat Navinder, and Randhir the Reindeer at aJollyBollyChristmas.com!
A World In London returns to SOAS Radio on January 9th. Keep an eye on www.djritu.com meantime. Thank you for your support and kindness through 2012. Wishing you a lovely festive season and a very happy New Year! Xx Ritu

A World In London paid tribute to Ravi Shankar. Meanwhile, in the guest room, superlative multi-instrumentalist Liz Chi Yen Liew returned to AWIL with a sneak preview of her forthcoming project ‘Snapshots’ which will launch at The Place in Euston on Saturday January 12th. Liz's evocative compositions are brought to life by Yuyu Rau's Chinese classical & contemporary dance. This exciting new work is largely autobiographical, inspired by Liz’s life as a child, Londoner, music-maker and mother who has worked with Moby, Gnarls Barkley, Goldfrapp, plus many more. Book tickets now for ‘Snapshots’ as part of the Resolution! dance Festival on January 12th at The Place (first of a triple bill). More info at www.lizchiyenliew.com
Hanukkah greetings!

Greek/Brazilian Londoner, Pavlos Carvalho provided an excellent live session of music on this A World In London, bringing his Rebet Asker series to the show. Classic songs rooted in rebetiko from Greece to warm up a wintry London day were performed by superb vocalist Vicky Anastasiou, guitarist Pavlos Melas, bouzouki player Spiros Mpolovinis, and Stelios Katsatsidis on accordion. Catch them live every 1st & 3rd Sunday at Camden’s Green Note. Or at the ‘rebetiko jam’ on Monday evenings at SOAS!

Singer Jan Ponsford is one of our living Jazz greats. She features in the Penguin Who’s Who of Jazz as well as the Virgin Encyclopaedia of Jazz. Her career spans 30 years incorporating her skills as a vocalist, lyricist, composer, educator, and painter. Hear Jan’s exquisite voice and unique talents on this A World In London, plus tracks from some of her amazing albums. Find out more at janponsford.com!

Pioneering singer Shivali has carved out a unique new style of music, made in London & rooted in spirituality . Basement bhajans & mantras enriched by soulful, melodic production, revealing a vocalist with the sweetest voice. Her fantastic debut album, The Bhajan Project, came out in 2010 on major label Sony, capturing many hearts. Hear extracts from her forthcoming CD, Urban Temple, on this A World In London!

Global superstar John Forte was at AWIL and in London to premier his show, The Russian Winter: the musical documentary about John’s life charting his rise from the streets of Brooklyn, fame & Grammy-nominations through the 90’s with hip-hop giants The Fugees, and his subsequent successful career as a composer & vocalist. The Russian Winter was recorded as ‘a work-in progress’ across 6 cities during John’s tour there in 2011 and you can hear exclusive previews of the forthcoming album on this A World In London!

Zimbabwe’s hottest new exports interrupted their busy European tour to guest on this A World In London. 6-piece band, Mokoomba, fresh from their Jools Holland TV appearance, look set to tour the world next year after wowing promoters and punters at recent gigs including the WOMEX Trade conference in Thessaloniki. Armed with punchy lyrics and infectious rhythms, Mokoomba’s superb debut album, Rising Tide, has topped the iTunes world chart and is out now on Zig Zag Records!

Tiger Blossom's main man, Johnny Mooney nipped over to A World In London. This local band dabble in all kinds of sounds and Johnny himself is an amazing multi-instrumentalist. Live gigs are lined up in Clapham and various other venues across the capital so you can check out Tiger Blossom near you soon!

Philip Knox dropped into A World In London with a record bag of rare vinyls from former Yugoslavia. After raiding flea markets in Bosnia, Serbia, and Macedonia, Philip and Nat Morris are set to release a ground-breaking album early next year. 'Stand Up People' will shed light upon long-forgotten Roma gypsy pop songs from the 'golden age': Tito's era 1960 to 1980. Hear an exclusive preview of this unmissable album and how it was made on this AWIL!

Invisible System’s Dan Harper, the original pioneer of Anglo-Ethio grooves gave a formidable interview on this A World In London. In Somerset & London, his early musical heroes were Bow Wow Wow and Adam & The Ants but a sense of affinity with Africa drew him to Mali followed by Ethiopia. There he established a recording studio and worked with some of the greatest East African artists of our time. ‘Melkan Kehonelish’ in today’s playlist features the voice of octogenarian singer & world music award winner Mahmoud Ahmed. Look out for Dan’s superlative sounds on The Rough Guide to Ethiopia CD, and on his new live album ‘Live & Raw (Roar!!!)’

Gifted Syrian kanun player Maya Youssef appeared on this A World In London. Discussing her travels through music, teaching, and performing, Maya shared an exclusive preview of one of her first compositions, scheduled for release within her debut album next year. See her live on the SOAS Stage at Bloomsbury Festival Oct 21st!

Soumik Datta and Bernard Schimpelsberger form the two halves of East-West fusion outfit, Circle of Sound. Bringing together sarod and western percussion, spoken word and visuals, plus an array of guest artists, hear more from this dynamic duo on AWIL 56!

Pages