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Verity Sharp is joined by music producer, environmentalist and bird fanatic Robin Perkins to explore the connections between humans and birds as fellow musical species. Birdsong has long served as inspiration for humanity’s musical endeavours, and Perkins’ latest project continues this tradition while raising awareness for the plight of endangered species. A Guide to the Birdsong of Western Africa is an album of music inspired by the song of birds at risk of extinction. We also hear from Ivorian singer Ruth Tafébé, one of the ten artists from throughout Western Africa challenged with creating a track inspired by the song of an endangered bird from their country. Can music help to save a species?

Elsewhere in the show, reimagined music of rural Italy from Silvia Tarozzi & Deborah Walker and ominous, oceanic field recordings from the Baltic Sea assembled by composer Heikki Lindgren and videographer Ville Westerlund.

Produced by Phil Smith and Gabriel Francis
A Reduced Listening production from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3