In the latest edition of Life Elsewhere, disappearing bees, a rapper and a folkie plus The Hit That Never Was.

Freelance writer and environmental journalist, Robert Hunziker talks to Norman B about a worldwide problem, bees are dying off like never before. Recent scientific research has zeroed-in on the culprits, which are neonicotinoids or “neonics,” which are pesticides manufactured by Monsanto and Bayer. However, the two manufacturers claim the pesticides are totally benign. A four-year study by the Task Force on Systemic Pesticides (“TFSP”), directed at how and why so many bees, butterflies and other insects, including earthworms, are disappearing so rapidly, according to a member of the task force, “Instead of wiping out the top of the food chain, killing hawks and eagles as DDT did, neonics are wiping out the bottom of the food chain.” Bees pollinate almost every fruit, nut, vegetable, and field crop, and honey fits in the mix consequently the loss of bees is equivalent to one giant step towards mass starvation. Albert Einstein is reported to have predicted that civilization will be over in four years if bees are no more.

This week’s Hit That Never Was features the late Hugh Mundell, the highly regarded reggae artist who performed publicly just a few times in his short career, yet he garnered the  attention of many critics, causing one to write that “he had the purest voice in popular music”. Mundell recorded for the legendary Dub producer Augustus Pablo, under his own name and also using the pseudonym, Jah Levi. On October 14, 1983, twenty-one year-old, Mundell was shot to death while sitting in his car. When you go to the Hit That Never Was page, you will discover we have included the 12′ mix of Feeling Alight Girl, complete with the extended dub version.

In the second half of the program, Norman B talks with George Fuller a talented singer-songwriter and aspiring rap artist Anonymous (And.On. I. Must). George sent a copy of his very personal album to Life Elsewhere, requesting an honest appraisal. His efforts impressed Norman B enough to invite the musician into the studio for an interview to find out more about the man and his music. During the pre-interview conversation,  Fuller nonchalantly mentioned that he had recently been on tour with rap artist Anonymous (And.On. I. Must). This caught Norman B by surprise, knew he had to learn more about this unusual mixing of musical genres and generations. The self proclaimed old-dude-folkie, George Fuller and exuberant rapper, Anonymous (And.On. I. Must) explain toNorman B how they came to work together and play examples of their musical collaboration.

The Life Elsewhere Podcast is available here

Life Elsewhere airs every Monday at 9.00am ET (1400 GMT)

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