Every January for the past 17 years, I’ve attended the world music extravaganza known as globalFEST at a New York City nightclub, where I look forward with great anticipation to hearing some of the most exceptional music I’ll experience all year. This time around, given the challenge of the Covid pandemic and the hardening of international borders, globalFEST teamed up with NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts to create an innovative and no less exciting virtual music festival: Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST 2021. With YouTube as its highly accessible platform, the online fest took place over four nights (January 11-14), featuring performances by 16 bands from all over the world – all hosted by African superstar Angélique Kidjo, who performed at the inaugural edition of globalFEST in 2004. In this broadcast I share with you my own “best of” highlights from all four nights, featuring excerpts of performances by each of the artists and commentary by many. Music for the Masses invites you on an excursion of sound and rhythm. Discover the music of established and emerging artists, both signed and unsigned, on the international music scene. Expect the unexpected. You might want to pack a map and a sandwich. For the avid globe-hopper and armchair traveler alike. Broadcast live from Catskill.