Global A Go-Go

Dr. Boondigga

Sun, Jul 20, 2025

I was stunned to hear that Chris (Mu) Faiumu, the founder and bandleader of Fat Freddy’s Drop, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday at home in Wellington, New Zealand. Fat Freddy’s is one of the most popular bands New Zealand has ever produced: their first four albums all went to #1 in their home country, and they did that as a fully independent act, managing themselves and running their own record label.

The albums and their amazing live shows have earned them a strong following in Europe, but they’ve never toured the USA so they remain relatively unknown here. If you can imagine a cross between the Wailers, Parliament, Phish and J Dilla, that’s kind of what they sound like. If you want to know exactly what they sound like, tune in to the second hour of Global A Go-Go this week for my tribute to Mu: a full hour of Fat Freddy’s music.

Also this week (Sunday July 20, 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): New singles from Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp and Oruã, the Malawian banjo music of Gasper Nali and Madalitso Band, and Afrobeat by Tidiani Kone and Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou.

Podcast: https://www.radio4all.net/program/120601
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/series/Global%20A%20Go-Go

Playlist

    Time: July 20 - 1:00:00 pm
  • Matador Of 1st & 1st

    Oliver Lake, “Separation”

    from Matador Of 1st & 1st

    Passin Thru - 1996

    USA

  • Time: July 20 - 1:01:00 pm
  • Global a Go-Go

    Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, “Global a Go-Go”

    from Global a Go-Go

    BMG Rights Management (US) LLC - 2001

    England UK

  • Time: July 20 - 1:06:00 pm
  • Revenant Du Nord / Siilent - Single

    Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp & Frànçois & The Atlas Mountains, “Revenant Du Nord”

    from Revenant Du Nord / Siilent - Single

    Les Disques Bongo Joe - 2025

    Switzerland-France-England UK

  • Time: July 20 - 1:09:10 pm
  • Os Mutantes

    Os Mutantes, “Panis et circenses”

    from Os Mutantes

    Universal Music Ltda. - 1967

    Brazil

  • Time: July 20 - 1:13:47 pm
  • Deus-Dará - Single

    Oruã, “Deus-Dará”

    from Deus-Dará - Single

    K Records - 2025

    Brazil

  • Time: July 20 - 1:17:56 pm
  • As Plantas Que Curam

    Boogarins, “Lucifernandis”

    from As Plantas Que Curam

    Other Music - 2013

    Brazil

  • Time: July 20 - 1:25:42 pm
  • Kippie Moeketsi & the Marabi Kings, “Goli Kwela”

    from Clarinet Kwlea / Goli Kwela - Single

    USA - 1958

    South Africa

  • Time: July 20 - 1:28:31 pm
  • Chule Chule Iwe

    Gasper Nali, “Kuchokera Lobadwila”

    from Chule Chule Iwe

    Spare Dog Records - 2025

    Malawi

  • Time: July 20 - 1:33:25 pm
  • Ma Gitala

    Madalitso Band, “Chemwa”

    from Ma Gitala

    Les Disques Bongo Joe - 2025

    Malawi

  • Time: July 20 - 1:43:31 pm
  • T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou-Benin, “Djanfa Magni (La Trahison N'est Pa Bon)”

    from Tidiani Kone et le T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou-Benin

    Acid Jazz - 2025

    Benin-Mali, 1977

  • Time: July 20 - 2:05:23 pm
  • Midnight Marauders - Single

    Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie, “Midnight Marauders”

    from Midnight Marauders - Single

    The Drop - 2002

    New Zealand

  • Time: July 20 - 2:12:30 pm
  • Based On A True Story

    Fat Freddy's Drop, “Wandering Eye”

    from Based On A True Story

    Kartel - 2005

    New Zealand

  • Time: July 20 - 2:28:05 pm
  • Dr. Boondigga & the Big Bw

    Fat Freddy's Drop, “Pull the Catch”

    from Dr. Boondigga & the Big Bw

    The Drop - 2009

    New Zealand

  • Time: July 20 - 2:33:20 pm
  • Blackbird

    Fat Freddy's Drop, “Silver & Gold”

    from Blackbird

    The Drop - 2013

    New Zealand

  • Time: July 20 - 2:39:27 pm
  • Bays

    Fat Freddy's Drop, “Fish in the Sea”

    from Bays

    The Drop - 2015

    New Zealand

  • Time: July 20 - 2:49:13 pm
  • Dr. Boondigga & the Big Bw

    Fat Freddy's Drop, “Shiverman”

    from Dr. Boondigga & the Big Bw

    The Drop - 2009

    New Zealand