Milo Miles

World music commentator Milo Miles talks about compas (or kompa, or konpa), the popular music of Haiti. He shows how the roots of compas are in the eclectic musical influences Haiti has absorbed over the years.

World Music critic Milo Miles takes a look at the music of two Latin American singers who live as ex-patriots: Celia Cruz and La Lupe. And he considers how being an ex-patriot can influence a singer's work (originally broadcast 12/15/89).

World Music Critic Milo Miles reviews music of Chicano bandleader and accordionist Steve Jordan. The eclectic performer's recorded almost 40 albums and has provided music for films like, "Born in East L.A." and "True Stories."

Milo Miles looks at the career of Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango.

World music critic Milo Miles checks out the music of Ethiopia.

World music critic Milo Miles on the significance of Billboard magazine starting a world music chart.

World music critic Milo Miles examines the vocal music of South Africa, and he examines the career of the country's leading vocal group, "Ladysmith Black Mambazo."

World music critic Milo Miles says that some of the first recorded black music in the United States was calypso, despite the fact that that the style originated in the Caribbean. Calypso, most often performed during Carnival, was known for being extremely topical -- performers were expected to improvise songs on the spot about current events.

World music critic Milo Miles returns to Fresh Air to discuss another popular genre from Trinidad and Tobago, called soca, which brought a faster, more danceable feel to calypso.

Esteban "Steve" Jordan grew up partially blind in a poor family in Texas. Also known as El Parche, he became an accomplished accordionist playing conjunto and other regional styles. World music critic Milo Miles has this profile.