Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. We are part of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located in Washington, D.C. 

We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people's engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.

The Smithsonian may archive materials posted on this website pursuant to its document retention policies. By posting content, you are giving the Smithsonian and those authorized by the Smithsonian permission to use or modify it for any educational, promotional, or other standard museum purpose, in media of all kinds whether now known or later developed. For more on the Smithsonian's terms of use and privacy policies visit: http://www.si.edu/termsofuse 

World Circuit Records has made its reputation by producing some of the finest albums of the past three decades. The label’s prestigious roster includes the Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club and associated solo artists (including Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Omara Portuondo and Orlando ‘Cachaíto’ López), Malian blues pioneer and Grammy-winner Ali Farka Touré, Malian divas and social activists Oumou Sangaré and Fatoumata Diawara, master kora player Toumani Diabaté, the illustrious Orchestra Baobab, musical iconoclast Cheikh Lô, and Fela Kuti’s legendary drummer and co-creator of Afrobeat Tony Allen. 
 
With reissues and brand new releases coming soon, World Circuit continues to bring diverse, genre-defying music to a wider audience.

Radio 3 Essay

Authored essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week. Each episode is full of insight, opinion and intellectual surprise from one expert voice. We aim to include as many episodes of The Essay in the download as we can but you'll find that some aren't included for rights reasons.

Dr Chris Smith aka The Naked Scientist with the latest news from the world of science and Dr Karl answers listeners' science questions on Radio 5 live's Up All Night programme.

Tracing Your Roots

Inspirational family history stories and key genealogy advice. Sally Magnusson and Nick Barratt uncover personal perspectives on social history and give listeners the tools to become family history detectives.

A smash-hit series of entirely improvised comedy adventures from critically acclaimed UK wits Racing Minds. Exotic locales, extraordinary characters, inexplicable plots - expect all this and more in a tongue-in-cheek homage to classic 50s radio serials. Broadcast live for your listening pleasure from sell-out runs at comedy festivals around the world.

Performed by Chris Turner, Tom Skelton, Daniel Nils Roberts & Douglas Walker.

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