Paul Giordimaina – Tifkira tal-Milied
Fr George Ocar Buttigieg has done it again! Following on the success of the song Ħelu Bambin, which he co-wrote with Andrew Zammit for singers Maltese Eurovision singers Ludwig Galea and Chaira, we now get a 21 track CD album featuring Maltese lyrics for all sorts of Christmas tunes, sung by a wide array of Maltese singers. I’ve picked this corker by Paul Giordimaina as it strikes me as the most sincere musical arrangement of all, bringing out the best musical qualities of this singer, who is really one of Malta’s foremost jazz artists.
Carmen Schembri – Il-Milied it-Tajjeb
One of the most beloved Maltese singers returns with yet another Christmas song, but this one is quite special. Well, first there’s her delicious voice, of course, but then I’m really pleased to hear Carmen’s husband Enzo Gusman provide excellent Maltese lyrics for this wartime American Christmas standard, first released by Bing Crosby 70 years ago.
Animae feat. Isaac Mercieca – Ninni La Tibkix Iżjed
Here’s a live version of the same song played during the podcast. I prefer the studio version, but this is quite a good live rendition anyway:
Kurt Aquilina – Silent Night
This YouTube recording was picked as record of the week on Radio Malta 2 last week.
Kevin Borg – Christmas Time
Watch the fan video for Kevin Borg’s 2012 Christmas offering (record company couldn’t be bothered so it’s no wonder that it took me a whole year to discover this song!):
Stefanos – Everyone Is A World
Stefanos is preparing a new album called Everyone Is A World, which is set to be released in March 2014. To open up the final podcast of 2013 ahead of the Christmas edition, we have the title track from said forthcoming album. Enjoy!
Mistura – Introspezzjoni Stellari
Another excellent track from the duo that gave us a another release earlier this year called Kollox L-Istess. They’ve managed to get voted into second place in the Top Online Release category of the MMI 2013 Listeners’ Picks Poll. Will they manage to beat title holders Divine Sinners to the top spot this year? Voting is open until Tuesday 31 December 2013 via Facebook.
FellowFish – Man On A Boat
Had this free download been released a couple of weeks earlier it would have probably made it into the MMI 2013 Listeners’ Picks Poll too. As it happens it’s just a preview of whatever greater plans this band has for 2013. It’s a cool track and one I’m sure many will enjoy even without a promotional music video.
Gergis – Kollox
Here’s a new Maltese rapper to add to the growing list of local hip hop performers. He seems to be well connected to others in the scene and has received kudos from all sides. I like it enough to include on my podcast. In any case, here’s someone I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on, and hopefully an ear too.
Steve Id-Delli – Id-Diska tal-Ġugar Bar
Steve Delia never disappoints me. Whether its as Brikkuni guitarist, a solo performer (or should that be performance artist?), or a guitar technician for Marc Galea, he always gives 100% of whatever he can. I believe that he is possibly one of the most underrated contemporary artists in Malta. It therefore give me great pleasure to close up my podcasts for 2013 (ahead of next week’s Christmas edition) with this new song, which seems like the sort of thing he pulls out of thin air for all to enjoy. Godspeed, Delli!
