Lokkhi Terra (Bangladesh / UK)

Lokkhi Terra is a London-based ensemble led by British Bangladeshi pianist Kishon Khan, whose lineup brings together musicians from Bangladesh, Cuba, Turkey, and the UK. The group grew out of Khan’s time studying in Cuba, where he noticed a connection between Havana rumba and the baul devotional music of Bangladesh’s village festivals. Back in London, that instinct found a home in a band that draws equally on Afrobeat, Cuban rhythms, jazz, and Bengali folk traditions. Their albums include No Visa Required (2010), CubAfrobeat (2018) with Afrobeat musician Dele Sosimi, and CUBANGLA (2020).

Featured Song:

“Bhromor” (Bumblebee) is built on a poem by Bengali mystic songwriter Radharaman Dutta (1833–1915), set to new music composed and arranged by Khan and flautist Finn Peters. In the original song, Radha sends a bumblebee as a messenger to Krishna, pleading for his return. Bengali vocalist Aneire Khan carries the lead melody while Cuban vocalist Javier Camilo weaves in improvised Spanish, the two voices and two traditions orbiting each other like the song’s restless, searching bumblebee. “Oh bumblebee, go and tell him / In the fire of separation from Sri Krishna / My body and soul are burning."

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