Escapism Soundtrack: Music To Transport You To Far-off Destinations Unrestricted sun-soaked days are what we are currently longing for, and our latest playlist – curated to help combat travel restrictions – compiles music from every corner of the world. Allow your mind to wander and be transported to the serene shores of Hawaii, or take an energising route across Africa or South America with lively percussion beats and Afro-funk grooves. Travel to far-off destinations via our playlist, all from the comfort of your own home – just turn on, tune in and bliss out. LISTEN NOW South Asia and the Middle East First on our journey across the globe is the faraway sights of South Asia and the Middle East where the sounds are tantalising. Bollywood actress and singer, Salma Agha’s intoxicating “Come Closer” and West Bengal’s rediscovered disco diva, Rupa and her cult record “Aaj Shanibar” both have real playback appeal, while Fila Brazillia’s Hindustani-inspired and sitar-fused “Soft Muse Under The Stars” will have you dreaming of new adventures. Come Closer – Salma Agha Yellow Sari – JJ Whitefield Pyar Chhalke – Sharon Prabhakar Soft Music Under The Stars – Fila Brazillia Mathar – Dave Pike Set Aaj Shanibar – Rupa Naan Unnai Thedum – Paramesh Maria Tambien – Khruangbin عودة – Hamid Al Shaeri Liza…Liza – Elias Rahbani and His Orchestra South Asia and the Middle East First on our journey across the globe is the faraway sights of South Asia and the Middle East where the sounds are tantalising. Bollywood actress and singer, Salma Agha’s intoxicating “Come Closer” and West Bengal’s rediscovered disco diva, Rupa and her cult record “Aaj Shanibar” both have real playback appeal, while Fila Brazillia’s Hindustani-inspired and sitar-fused “Soft Muse Under The Stars” will have you dreaming of new adventures. Come Closer – Salma Agha Yellow Sari – JJ Whitefield Pyar Chhalke – Sharon Prabhakar Soft Music Under The Stars – Fila Brazillia Mathar – Dave Pike Set Aaj Shanibar – Rupa Naan Unnai Thedum – Paramesh Maria Tambien – Khruangbin عودة – Hamid Al Shaeri Liza…Liza – Elias Rahbani and His Orchestra Western Europe Picture yourself dining at a Parisian café or spending long hazy days lounging by a Spanish villa pool – our Western European portion of our playlist is sure to take you there. For an instant taste of the Italian heat, skip ahead to Claudia Villa’s rendition of the Neapolitan song “O sole mio”. Our suggestion? Turn up the volume and stand at your window as if you’re on a balcony overlooking the Roman Forum. Midnight Round Mekines – Javier Bergia Tomas Que Dale – Trigal Alger la blanche – Nicolas Godin Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)? – Peter Sarstedt Ecoute mon coeur – Ria Bartok Café de Flore – Doctor Rockit Strange Effect – The Rebels Of Tijuana Paris Latino – Bandolero Ma Che Freddo Fa – Nada Se Me Vuoi Bene – Patty Pravo Northern Lights – Puccio Roelens Tropicola – Nino Nardini Sono qui con voi – Caterina Caselli O sole mio – Claudio Villa Quano, Quando, Quando – Tony Renis Lujon – Henry Mancini Ma quale idea – Pino D’Angiò Africa This introduction to the wide-spanning music of Africa has been curated to transport you to a time where experimentation with sound and instruments was top of the agenda. We’ve pulled together music from the North in Algeria, as far as Ethiopia in the East, and added an infinite list of tracks from the West of Africa, where genres like highlife, Afrobeat and funk were born. Rouhi Ya Hafida – Mallek Mohamed Ansumana – Susso Paulette – Balla Et Ses Balladins Greetings – Joni Haastrup Disco Hi-Life – Orlando Julius Akula Owu Onyeara – The Funkees Disco Africa – The Ogyatanaa Show Band Heaven – Ebo Taylor Agboju Logun – Shina Williams & His African Percussionists Ride On Baby – William Onyeabor Disco Dancer – Kiki Gyan Hafi Deo – Tabu Ley Rochereau Khala My Friend – Amanaz Anchin Kfu Ayinkash – Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band Caribbean Don’t get too comfortable when it comes to our “visit” to the Caribbean, as we’re hopping across the islands for a whistlestop tour of the cultural offerings. The magnificent Buena Vista Social Club, who set out to revive the music of pre-revolutionary Cuba, is featured here alongside Esso Trinidad Steel Band with their playful steelpan cover “I Want You Back” and Jamaican-born reggae master Marcia Griffiths for when the sun is high and the heat is on. Cuban Dream – Sensación I Want You Back – Esso Trinidad Steel Band De Camino a La Vereda – Buena Vista Social Club Don’t Let Me Down – Marcia Griffiths A Si Paré – Lola Martin I’m in a Dancing Mood – Delroy Wilson Weather Report – The Tennors Can I Change My Mind – Alton Ellis Caribbean Don’t get too comfortable when it comes to our “visit” to the Caribbean, as we’re hopping across the islands for a whistlestop tour of the cultural offerings. The magnificent Buena Vista Social Club, who set out to revive the music of pre-revolutionary Cuba, is featured here alongside Esso Trinidad Steel Band with their playful steelpan cover “I Want You Back” and Jamaican-born reggae master Marcia Griffiths for when the sun is high and the heat is on. Cuban Dream – Sensación I Want You Back – Esso Trinidad Steel Band De Camino a La Vereda – Buena Vista Social Club Don’t Let Me Down – Marcia Griffiths A Si Paré – Lola Martin I’m in a Dancing Mood – Delroy Wilson Weather Report – The Tennors Can I Change My Mind – Alton Ellis Hawaii For days when you need to retreat from the world, jump ahead to the tropical islands of Hawaii. We’ve compiled a compact list of lazy tracks from the likes of hypnotic French band La Femme and the hauntingly atmospheric “Sleepwalk” from brother-duo Santo & Johnny. L’Hawaïenne – La Femme Latin’ia – The Sentinals Sleepwalk – Santo & Johnny South Sea Waves – Nani Wolfgramm Ku-U-I-Po – Elvis Presley Moonlight Lady – Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Blues – Country Comfort South America Next up is Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 and their signature bossa nova hit “Mais Que Nada” that propels you down to the colourful cities of South America. This section of our playlist is not short of toe-tapping, hip-shaking, all-over body-moving musical numbers from the rhythmic Gal Costa, Juan Wauters and the genre-blending Brazillian icon Tim Maia. Mas Que Nada – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 Guapa – Juan Wauters Cumbia y Brindis – El Sexteto Miramar ft. Rodolfo Aicardi Come-On-A-My House – Della Reese Bambaram Bam Bam – Tito Puente Deus É O Amor – Gal Costa Não Vá – Tim Maia Lolita Ya Ya – Nelson Riddle ארץ טרופית יפה – Matti Caspi ft. Participants of ‘Erez Tropit Yafa’ Pai Xangô – Pinduca Inquietacao – Luiz Bonfá West Coast America If you’re dreaming of sun-soaked days by the ocean, there’s no better place than the West Coast. Dive into surf rock anthems from The Shadows, Eddie & The Showmen and Dick ‘King of the Surf Guitar’ Dale and his solo guitar piece “Miserlou”. The Summer of Love is fused into the free-spirited sounds of The Mamas & The Papas, Marlena Shaw and Scott McKenzie’s ode to the flower children of San Francisco. Wonderful Land – The Shadows Miserlou – Dick Dale Toes On The Nose – Eddie & The Showmen California Soul – Marlena Shaw Cissy Strut – The Meters Dream A Little Dream of Me – The Mamas & The Papas San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) – Scott McKenzie California Dreamin’ – José Feliciano Who’ll Stop The Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher Sun King – The Beatles Comin’ Home Baby – Mel Tormé West Coast America If you’re dreaming of sun-soaked days by the ocean, there’s no better place than the West Coast. Dive into surf rock anthems from The Shadows, Eddie & The Showmen and Dick ‘King of the Surf Guitar’ Dale and his solo guitar piece “Miserlou”. The Summer of Love is fused into the free-spirited sounds of The Mamas & The Papas, Marlena Shaw and Scott McKenzie’s ode to the flower children of San Francisco. Wonderful Land – The Shadows Miserlou – Dick Dale Toes On The Nose – Eddie & The Showmen California Soul – Marlena Shaw Cissy Strut – The Meters Dream A Little Dream of Me – The Mamas & The Papas San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) – Scott McKenzie California Dreamin’ – José Feliciano Who’ll Stop The Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher Sun King – The Beatles Comin’ Home Baby – Mel Tormé Mexico The last stop on our tour is a short but sweet trip around Mexico. Psychedelic Latin rock intertwined with traditional mariachi music ripe with nostalgia will make you feel at home in the bustling Mexico City, or the charming streets of San Miguel de Allende. Ladyfingers – Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass Oye Como Va – Santana Una Semana Sin Ti – Los Tres Caballeros The Breeze And I – Juan García Esquivel Sabor a Mí – Eydie Gormé and Los Panchos MORE WHISTLES PLAYLISTS Music Classic Albums To Listen To On Repeat, Chosen By Team Whistles Some albums make such an impact on our lives that we just have to listen to them on repeat. Our ...read more Music Listen: Workout Songs To Get You Motivated It's no secret that getting motivated to exercise can be harder than the workout itself, however, our latest playlist - ...read more Music Listen: Abi Daré's Favourite Tracks To Bliss Out To Ahead of our online book club we asked Abi Daré - author of the bestselling book The Girl with the ...read more