Ocora

This episode of Hermetic Journals is dedicated to the brief exploration of the amazing French ethnomusicological label Ocora. Their catalogue is vast; so many more hours are required to make a comprehensive introduction. Therefore I resort to selection of my personal favourites. Structure-wise I dedicate roughly similar sections to the music of African continent, Western + South Asia with the final 20 minutes or so spent in East / Southeast Asia. It felt appropriate to bookend this ‘journey’ with a beautiful and timeless sounding overtone singing – an almost universal singing practice that coincidentally exists in traditional music of many cultures, eras and ethnic groups - by David Hykes and his Harmonic Choir.

Artwork by Andrew William Elvish
Listen to more episodes and read more at: https://snowsovgethen.com/

Tracklist:
01.	David Hykes & The Harmonic Choir • Hearing Solar Winds "Arc Descents" 2011 Ocora
02.	Nomades du Niger • Musique des Touareg, Musique des Bororo "Ouane-Ouane" 1991 Ocora
03.	Burundi - Musiques Traditionnelles (Recorded by Michel Vuylsteke) "Ubuhuha" 1983 Ocora
04.	Polyphonies Mongo • Batwa Ekonda "Marker 4" 1976 Ocora
05.	Musique Malgache "Choeurs Et Arcs Musicaux Masikoro" 1982 Ocora
06.	Musique Centrafricaine • Bianda "Complainte" 1978 Ocora
07.	Burundi - Musiques Traditionnelles (Recorded by Michel Vuylsteke) "Akazéhé Par Deux Jeunes Filles" 1984 Ocora
08.	Kudsi Erguner & Xavier Bellenger • Ney Et Ken "Rahat-ul-ervah - Le repos des esprits" 2015 Ocora
09.	Egypte: Les Musiciens du Nil "Taksim arghoul (petit)" 1978 Ocora
10.	Arménie 1 : Chants liturgiques du Moyen-Âge et musique instrumentale "Percussion Solo" 2020 Ocora
11.	Musique Traditionnelle Turque: Pieces Instrumentales • Erguner/Kutbay/Ergin/Hatipoglu "Tanbur et Ney (Makam Segâh)" 1987 Ocora
12.	Arménie 1 : Chants liturgiques du Moyen-Âge et musique instrumentale "Je me mets à genoux devant toi" 2018 Ocora
13.	Iran Les Maitres De La Musique Traditionnelle Volume 1 • Daryoush Tala'i, Mohammad Moussavi, Madjid Kiani "Avâz-e Bayât-e" 2009 Ocora
14.	Birmanie: Musique d'art • Maung That Win "Pa Pa Win / pat pyo (La princesse Pa Pa Win / improvisation)" 1997 Ocora
15.	La Musique Traditionnelle Des Mon • En Thailande "Solo De Cithare + Solo De Xylophone" 1988 Ocora
16.	Japon: Gagaku • Ono Gagaku Kaï "Batô" 2001 Ocora
17.	David Hykes & The Harmonic Choir • Hearing Solar Winds "Multiplying Voices at the Heart of the Body of sound" 2019 Ocora

Hermetic Journals : Ocora Records Special Music (Jan 2022) @ Internet Public Radio

This  LP of Chadian music released on the legendary first Ocora series, showcasing fascinating polyrhythmic musics performed by Sara ethnic/cultural groups in Southern Chad, is available for Flac and MP3 download on my blog:
https://music-republic-world-traditional.blogspot.com

Anthologie de la Musique du Tchad – Les Sara – Ocora OCR 36

Chad Tchad - Sara traditional music Ocora 1966

This LP of authentic Andean music from Peru recorded in 1965 on the Ocora label available for Flac and MP3 download on my blog:
https://music-republic-world-traditional.blogspot.com/2018/06/peru-musiques-du-perou-paucartambo.html

Musiques du Pérou - Indiens Q'eros - Paucartambo – Disques Ocora OCR 30

Peru Aguila Negra Q'rero Indians from Peru Ocora 30

This early Ocora LP recorded in 1963, which showcases the tubular valiha zither found throughout Madagascar, is available for Flac and MP3 download on my blog: 
https://music-republic-world-traditional.blogspot.com/2019/05/madagascar-valiha-madagascar-ortf-ocora.html

Valiha Madagascar – ORTF - Ocora OCR 18

Valiha Madagascar Ocora 18 selection

This precious LP, recorded in 1962-1963, offering a rare glimpse into the fascinating traditional music from Bahrain and Sharjah in the Persian Gulf, including stunning trance-like singing by pearl divers, is available for Flac and MP3 download on my blog:
https://music-republic-world-traditional.blogspot.com/2019/10/bahrain-united-arab-emirates-pecheurs_15.html

Pêcheurs de Perles et Musiciens du Golfe Persique - Ocora 42

Pearl divers from Bahrain (1962) Ocora 42 A1 Chants Des Pêcheurs De Perles, Muhamaq

Transmissions to the aether • des bruits colorés
https://snowsovgethen.com/

Hermetic Journals : Ocora Records Special Music (Jan 2022) @ Internet Public Radio

Snows ov Gethen