The latest instalment of The Wire’s Global Ear column sees Buenos Aires based musician and community project organiser Alan Courtis reflecting on his first virtual music event, after two decades of involvement with face to face workshops and concerts with people with disabilities.

Since the catalytic moment of meeting Miguel Tomasín in 1993 – with whom he formed the experimental group Reynols – Courtis has explored new music making pedagogies with people with disabilities across the globe, focusing on artistry rather than therapy.

“[...] instead of generating a one-way interaction”, writes Courtis in The Wire 451, “initiatives of this kind entail an enriching mutual exchange: there’s a lot to learn from people with disability in terms of creativity and thinking outside of the box. And, ultimately, music allows sensitive forms of collective sharing that are powerful enough to overcome all barriers.”

Compiled by Courtis, this playlist includes recordings by projects from across the UK, as well as France, Australia, Argentina and Portugal. Read the full Global Ear essay in The Wire 451 to learn more about the artists and communities included. Wire subscribers can also read the article online via the archive.

Full tracklist and credits

Reynols
“Lintiri Teperoli”
From Gona Rubian Ranesa
(Outlier Communications, 2020)

[Miguel Tomasín, Roberto Conlazo, Pacu Conlazo & Alan Courtis].
Recorded by Hernán Calvo at Van Vliet Studios, Buenos Aires, 2018–19. 
Mastered by Lasse Marhaug at The Best Studio, Oslo, 2020
. Produced by Reynols.

Jamaica!! Meets Sly & The Family Drone
“Side Two” (excerpt)
From Jamaica​!​! Meets Sly – Celebrating The End Together In The Good Time Swamp
(Bandcamp, 2021)

[Jamaica!!: Leon, Roberto, Mary, Josh, Richie, John, Jason, Duane, Eddy, Darren, Sebastian; Sly: James Allsopp, Callum Buckland, Matt Cargill, Ed Dudley.
 Featuring Alan Courtis]. Recorded live at ICA, London, 28 February 2019.

Les Harry’s
“République Dominicaine”
From Ggots
(Sonic Protest, 2015)

[Jerôme, Alexandre, Sam, Quentin, Nicolas, David. Coordination: Franq de Quengo, Julien Bancilhon & Anaële Vié]. Recorded by Franq de Quengo & Julien Bancilhon at Hôpital de jour d’Antony, France.

DNA? AND?
“Oh Yeah, Baby”
From DNA? AND?
(SANNTIDSMUSIKK, 2019)

[Vilja Ellefsen-Larsen, Vilde Erikstad, Stina Stjern, Sambou Samateh, Ola Skarsæterhagen, Mats Aase Henriksen, Liz Zelda Røyneberg, Lene Høie, Jonas Lie Hagen, Harald Fetveit, Bjarne Larsen & A Courtis]

Pyramid Of Arts
“Leeds 18-03-2018”
Previously unreleased
(Pyramid)

[Andy Abbott, Demented Dave, James Heselwood, James Mabbett, Lucy Proctor, Matthew Watson, Scott Anderson, Stuart Illingworth & Alan Courtis] Recorded in Leeds, UK, 18 March 2018. Coordination: James Hill. Supported by Leeds Inspired.

Les Turbulents
“Allumez Paris”
Previously unreleased
(Sonic Protest)

[Featuring members of Turbulences!] Recorded at Centre FGO Barbara, Paris, 2017. Organised by Sonic Protest.

WE2 [Os Heróis Indianos Romanos Africanos]
“Live in Barreiro”

Coordination: André Neves, Bernardo Álvares & Alan Courtis. Recorded 13 March 2020 at Nós, Barreiro, Portugal. Organised by OUT.RA.

ASDRA Música
“Tema Extra”
Previously unreleased
(ASDRA)

[Pilar Acuña, Mora Agostinelli, Nicolas Baudino, Dante Bernardello, Ema y Eugenia Buyatti Prieto, Tahiel Carabajal, Juan Pablo Cayo, Gabriel y German Constantino, Mariangeles Coronel, Martin Cytrynbaum, Santiago de la Concepción, Martina del Campo, Marisol Duarte, Mateo Esquivel, Eliseo y Kiara Figueroa, Agustina Filippini, Amparo Flores, Micaela Flores, Valentina García, Martin Gatti, Valentina Giordanelli, Mauricio Kairuz, Valentina Lamota, Juliana Lisjak, Lucas Mamudov, Ignacio Marcó, Franco Noseda, Leandro Otero, Barbara Pérez Romaniuk, Juan Pablo Piccinini, Ignacio Ponce, Melina Quereilac, Franco y Julieta Rademakers, Kiara Romero Mendilazo, Yamile Trivisonno, Antonella Urcola Arce, Leonardo Vanzillotta, Ayelen Varone] Coordination: Deborah Balbiano & Alan Courtis. From the Telematic 2020 Workshop, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Amplified Elephants
“Critters”
From Sur les Rails
(DokiDoki Éditions, 2014)

[Esther Tuddenham, Daniel Bond, Daniel Munnery, Jay Euesden, Robyn McGrath, Liz Hofbauer, Helen Kruljac, Kathryn Sutherland, Tammy Delany,
Danny Al Sabbagh, James Hullick]. Recorded 31 January 2011 at Footscray Community Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia.

The Mumbly Wolfs
“Rock Star”
From The Mumbly Wolfs
(Club Soda)

[James Heath, Richard Aldridge, Aton Bland, Jo Huggins, Tom Kiraly, Matthew Thompson, AJ Holmes & Alan Courtis]. Supported by Club Soda. Recorded live at Matthews Yard, Croydon 2016.


Read an interview with Reynols from 2018 at The Wire website. Wire subscribers can also read an interview with Croydon based Club Soda affiliated band The Carbonators in The Wire 442 via the online archive.