On this week’s Global Notes, Jerome and contributor Catalina Maria Johnson explore some musical collaborations that were almost unimaginable until they actually happened.

Israeli pop star and pianist Idan Raichel and Malian virtuoso guitarist Vieux Farka Touré paired up after a chance meeting at an airport in Germany eight years ago. The pair recorded their first album in a studio in Tel Aviv, and have been internationally recognized for collaborative talent ever since.

Mexican indie guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela teamed up with the 13-piece Cuban orchestra C.U.B.A. and Palestinian oud trio Le Trio Joubran on their fifth studio album, Area 52. The album achieved worldwide acclaim for its heretofore unthought of collaborations including those with sitarist Anoushka Shankar and jazz bassist Carles Benavent.

Algerian-born world musician Sarazino is based in Ecuador after being raised in West Africa and educated in Canada. The Latin/reggae/afrobeat artist collaborated with Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars in his latest album, Everyday Salama.

Swedish singer Sousou and Senegal’s Maher Cissoko recorded their music mostly during a one-year stint in Senegal. Staying true to what brought the pair together, the album, Stockholm-Dakar, mostly revolves around traveling.

Track List:

1. Bamba by Idan Raichel and Vieux Farka Touré

2. Master Maqui by Rodrigo y Gabriela, C.U.B.A., and Le Trio Joubran

3. Vagare by Sarazino and Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars

4. Nama Nala by Sousou and Maher Cissoko