Song of the Day: With a rich, full voice and truly original sound, from one of the best albums of 2017, two powerful songs from the intelligent South Tyneside singer-songwriter with a Norwegian/Pakistani heritage. This cuts deep into one of the burning issues of modern times, the plight and treatment of war-torn immigrants in the UK, and the divisions in our state. Think PJ Harvey and Anna Calvi with a new, contemporary, edgy twist
Read moreLittle Barrie – Tip It Over / Surf Hell
Song of the Day: A tribute after the shock passing of the extremely likeable and vivacious drummer Virgil Howe, son of Steve Howe from Yes. His band is best known for the theme tune to the TV series Better Call Saul, but let's hear some examples of Virgil's skills and also the surf-style psychedelia rock of this great band – from their 2011 album King of the Waves
Read moreSonghoy Blues – Soubour / Bamako
Song of the Day: A special double, from each of their first two albums, Music In Exile (2015) and Résistance (2017), by the brilliant guitar band from Timbuktu, who were forced to flee Mali after war and Sharia Law. Beloved by many including collaborator Iggy Pop, their superb African funk-blues fusion echoes Zimbabwe's Bhundu Boys, John Lee Hooker and Jimi Hendrix
Read more