“I found myself holed up in Iceland with Julian Assange for 24 hours at one point, but hanging out with The Breeders and Keith Richards were probably my highlights!” says Clare, on cutting her teeth at the BBC directing short films for the arts magazine programme The Culture Show.
Since then, her long-form documentaries have taken her all across the globe – in recent years she’s completed the two BBC African and Latin American music series, a film about the feminist artists of the 1970s and an observational documentary with pop star Charli XCX looking at what feminism means to female musicians today.
On the Niger river in Mali, filming Africa: A Journey into Music for BBC Four.
She’s also experimented with new ways of telling stories, designing and producing the BBCs first interactive documentary with the hip hop duo Run The Jewels, and directing the hit online series Let’s Settle This with Grime MC Big Narstie.
Clare with presenter Rita Ray, and young griot singer Ami Diabate, filming Africa: A Journey into Music
Right now, she’s working on an 8-part podcast series about Island Records and the birth of reggae – from her home in Penryn, Cornwall. “I think the industry calls this ‘pivoting’, but actually it’s a project I started on before the pandemic,” she says. “It’s an epic story and we’re lucky to be able to work remotely, but I’m still hoping to get out exploring in far-flung places soon”.
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Listen to Clare’s Strike playlist on Spotify
Clare’s most recent BBC series, Huey Morgan’s Latin Music Adventure, is currently available to watch on iPlayer.
Clare's track listing and 'sleeve notes'
Idrissa Soumaoro et L’Eclipse de L’Ija – ‘Nissodia’ (Joie de l’optimisme)
Killer track by one of the less known Malian funk greats. Usually my first track on the decks at a party.
Salif Keita – ‘Madan’
One of the first artists I met on my trip to Mali in 2018 – the ‘Golden Voice of Africa’ no less! A remixed version of this track became a massive hit in France – this is Malian dance music at its infectious best.
Super Djata Band — ‘Worodara’
Born of the newly independent Mali – Super Djata Band was led by a griot called Zani Diabate who diverted from traditional instruments to play electric guitar.
Ambassadeurs International – Mandjou
Salif Keita led the incredible Ambassadeurs in the mid to late 1970s, writing many of their hits. This track from 1978 was a major breakthrough for Keita.
Sir Victor Uwaifo – Ubodo Eyo – ‘Ekassa 12’
Sir Victor Uwaifo is a true legend of Nigerian music. One of the most memorable trips during my time in Nigeria was to his home in Benin City… delirious from sunstroke, we were treated to a wild performance of some of his hits, featuring a rotating guitar strap which he claims to have invented!
Sir Victor Uwaifo at home
King Sunny Ade – ‘Synchro System’
Another musical legend, and actual Yoruba royalty, King Sunny Ade has to be one of the most prolific artists I’ve interviewed. At the last count he has released over 130 albums, and at 74 is still playing all night parties across Nigeria.
Orlando Julius – ‘Jagua Nana’
This song is all about telling your mum you want to go out all night and kiss lots of ladies. Julius is an afro soul pioneer and later wrote the massive disco hit ‘Going Back To My Roots’.
Fela Kuti – ‘No Agreement Pt 2’
Stone cold afrobeat classic. The genius of Fela was to embrace the funk, soul and politics of black America while keeping his rhythms 100% raw Africa.
Banda Black Rio – ‘Maria Fumaça’
Love this record – a slice of Brazilian funk full of samba beats. Found an OG pressing in Rio and had to take it home – it wasn’t cheap!
Lula Cortes & Ze Ramalho – ‘Nas Paredes Da Pedra Encantada’
I first heard this track on Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone back in 2008 and had to track it down. An insanely rare Brazilian psychedelic gem recorded in the jungle. Most of the original copies were destroyed in a flood leaving only 50 or so in circulation – happily reissued by Mr Bongo so we can revel in the proto drum n’ bass madness on this track.
Baiana System – ‘Playsom’
Baiana System is a band from Salvador in the North East of Brazil – a fusion of African beats and political lyrics, the hallmark of their sound is the tiny Baiana guitar. Worth a google!
Cartola – ‘Alvorada’
Cartola was the leader of the legendary Mangueira Samba school and a great composer of songs from the Rio favela. One of the highlights of my time in Brazil was filming their rehearsals for carnival on a disused street under an underpass on the edge of the favela. The air was thick with sweat and samba!
Os Mutantes – ‘A Minha Menina’
Os Mutantes are underground heroes of Brazilian psychedelia – we travelled out to visit Arnaldo Baptiste from the group, who is creating wild art in the jungle. A favourite of Kurt Cobain!
Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo de Cotonou – ‘Ako Ba Ho’
Go listen to whatever you can find by Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo – definite mood improver. I’ve been blasting this through lockdown.
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe – ‘El Malo’
Willie Colon is the one that got away – legendary Fania trombone player and Nuyorican, I spent months chasing him for an interview for the Latin series. Alas he pulled out before I could rifle through his collection of impeccable Puerto Rican fashions.
Joe Bataan – ‘Gypsy Woman’
Joe famously found his first band by stabbing a knife into a piano and being fairly threatening. Harlem hoodlum turned boogaloo superstar.
Ray Barretto – ‘El Watusi’
Ray ‘Hard Hands’ Barretto was the conga player for the Fania Allstars. This was his first hit and the pachanga laid the foundations for what would become known as Salsa.
iLe – ‘Temes’
iLe is a brilliant young singer from Puerto Rico who we filmed with on our trip there. Reinventing the traditional bolero, this track is a heartbreaking account of the abuse experienced by Puerto Rican women on the island.
Celia Cruz – ‘Elegua’
The ‘Queen of Salsa’ isn’t Puerto Rican but Cuban. Her Afro Cuban roots have been celebrated by Benenise singer Angélique Kidjo on her album Celia – check out her cover of this track!
Roberto Fonseca – ‘Bibisa’
Stunning pianist who cut his teeth in the Buena Vista Social Club. One of the standout performances from the Cuba episode of the series.
Dayme Arocena – ‘Madres’
Dayme Arocena radiates talent! Such a beautiful voice, totally rooted in the Afro Cuban traditions of Santaria. One of my fav releases on Brownswood that year.
Afrocubism – ‘Mali-Cuba’
There is a deep connection between Cuba and francophone West Africa. In the 1960s the newly independent Mali sent musicians to Cuba to train. 50 years later Toumani Diabate and Bassekou Kouyate were among the Malian musicians to travel to Cuba and make this Grammy-winning album. Fun fact – this collaboration was the original intention for the Buena Vista film but the Malian musicians’ visas were delayed…
Fela Kuti – ‘Water No Get Enemy’
Another great Fela track from the album Expensive Shit. The title track is about pooping out a joint while in police custody (really) but this track is from a Yoruban proverb that evokes the power and majesty of the natural world – featuring a distinctly Latin flavour in the sax. Music has no borders!
Boubacar Traore – ‘Mariama Kaba’
Thought I’d finish with this one – a beautiful track that reminds me of a magical afternoon spent in Karkar’s Bamako courtyard. He played this track, while his family pounded yams percussively in the background. Perfect.
Rita Ray and the Bantu Band in Lagos, Nigeria, filming Africa: A Journey into Music