World music has a special place in my musical heart and was started by the ground breaking UK group Osibisa in the early 70s with the single music for a Gong Gong, where they created a new genre of music that originated from the early 20th century, Highlife music that is characterised by jazzy horns, multiple guitars and an up-tempo, synth-driven sound.
Then came along the song that launched Osibisa, ‘Sunshine Day, the band set my musical ears, heart and soul alight when they Combined disparate sounds from Africa, America, the Caribbean, Osibisa broke traditional genre boundaries to emerge as the ultimate African band for me.
This was the start of my appreciation and love for world music, after hearing Osibisa I found a record store that specialized in Reggae/Ska and African music, with guidance from the owner and some of the customers, that started my wonderful journey along the musical yellow brick road of world music.
Please enjoy the music I love
Ray.
Essential Info
Website - https://www.jazzmattersuk.com
Blogs – https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/blogs
Jazz Matters Music Player - https://pod.co/nudirections
Jazz Matters Info – https://www.jazzmattersuk.com/introducing-ray
Email - [email protected]
Playlist
Tony Allen, Res, Ray Lema, Baaba Maal, Positive Black Soul, Archie Shepp - No Agreement - (Full Version)
Adekunle Gold, Seun Kuti - Mr. Foolish (feat. Seun Kuti.1)
Karn Jaile - return from exile
Femi Kuti - Victim of Life
White Label
Bokoor Band - Onukpa Shawarpo
Chico César – Mama Africa
The Kutimangoes – Money is The Curse
George Darko - Medo Menuanom 12 inch Version
Feqadu Amde – Asmarina
Salif Keita Ntoman – Africando
Dido, Youssou N'Dour - 7 Seconds - Live at Live 8, Palais de Versailles,
Jowee Omicil - Mande Lolo
JISR - Musaka
Jazz Matters
Jazz Matters is a not-for-profit hobby project that I’m extremely proud of.
It began life in May 2021 as NuDirections, a weekly radio show on a London community station. That spirit of discovery still runs through everything I do.
But today, Jazz Matters has evolved into a global podcast platform for Jazz and World music lovers — reaching over 40,000 open-minded listeners across 57 countries on more than 24 platforms.2025/6 marks a new era. My love of music has always gone beyond Jazz, so I’ve created two distinct but connected spaces here
Jazz Matters: Podcasts, Playlists and Music Videos.
Jazz Lines: Blogs, Interviews, Gallery & Pulse for Who's Shaping the Scene.
I’m also preparing a full digital relaunch from my new studio, from 1st May 2026, then every Jazz Matters podcast, mix, and special will stream exclusively from my website—no third-party platforms and no algorithms. Until then, you can listen here and on 24+ podcast platforms.
Alongside the music, you’ll find in Jazz Lines, my platform for blogs, interviews, gallery, and pulse that links to things that catch my ear and eye. A bold new chapter begins soon. New location. New music player. New studio.
Jazz Matters. Because the music — and everything around it — truly does.
Enjoy the music I love