Test Station

On this edition of #TransworldAirwaves, a cross-cultural musical journey united in voices and rhythms, DJ Madame B presents a #TGURevue theme, celebrating new and past sound and collaborations from the London, UK based cross-cultural trend-setters who describe themselves as the purveyors of the finest unpredictability since 1991.

Transglobal Underground is an English electro-global music group, specializing in a fusion of western, Asian and African music styles.

Doreen Thobekile, who died in 2010, was one of the major figures in the South African London diaspora, known as a singer, dancer, actress and designer. A member of the TGU family, she sang with Transglobal Underground live between 1999 and 2004, appeared on 4 of the bands albums, and worked with them on her solo album, London Zulu, with Hamid, Tim and Sheema all appearing regularly on her solo live dates.

SOLUS3, originally conceived as an improv trio featuring harpist & percussionist Julia Thornton, drummer Hamilton Lee (of TGU), and bassist Ian Blackaby, released their seven track debut album “The Sky Above The Roof” in 2010. Positively received in particular by the World Music and Progressive Rock media. They have additionally worked with vocalist Krupa, Trumpeter and throat singer Francesco Fillizola with additional guest vocals and guitar from Jemma Freeman and piano from Larry Whelan of TGU.

Beach Bellydance Babylon started life with the debut self-titled album which celebrated the golden years of Egyptian surf guitar. in typical TGU style mangled a whole bunch of genres together a surf style tribute to 1960s bellydance guitar groups of Cairo, New York and Istanbul.

UNITE created a virtual network of artists across Europe working separately and together on traditional songs of separation and togetherness. Not folk, not electronica, not folktronica, it bypassed them altogether in true TGU style.