BBC Radio 6 Music - Dream Time, Soaring sounds of steel… with Zakia

8th February 2026

Soaring sounds of steel… with Zakia

Zakia takes a deep dive into the dreamy world of steel sounds from around the globe, with help from composer and pedal steel guitarist Joe Harvey-Whyte.

DJ, broadcaster, writer and dreamer Zakia Sewell provides the soundtrack to your dreams - playing music to ease the mind, soothe the soul, and open portals to new dimensions…

This week, Zakia takes a deep dive into a familiar yet mysterious sound that floats through so many genres, with a stack of selections that feature the ghostly wail of pedal and lap steel guitars. To guide us on our journey, composer and pedal steel guitarist Joe Harvey-Whyte introduces us to his chosen instrument, sharing some insights and selections.

There’ll be sacred steel from New York Pentecostal gospel group The Campbell Brothers, Nigerian highlife from Celestine Ukwu, and the virtuosic improvised sounds of Susan Alcorn.

Plus, we’ll venture through some other stringed instruments along our way, including the cello of Haitian-American musician Leyla McCalla, the Tuareg guitars of Tinariwen, Japanese koto from Aus, and Gaelic soundscapes from Amulet.

Music Played

Darick Campbell

End of My Journey
- The Best of Sacred Steel: Praise Music from African American Holiness-Pentecosta.
- Arhoolie Records.
Sol Hoʻopiʻi

I Ain't Got Nobody
- Master Of The Hawaiian Guitar (Volume I).
- Rounder Records.
Leyla McCalla

As I Grew Older/Dreamer (feat. Yah Supreme)
- Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes.
- Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National

Okwukwe Na Nchekwube
- No Condition Is Permanent.
- Mississippi Records.
Tinariwen

Sagherat Assani (feat. Solafa Elyas)
- Hoggar.
- Wedge.
Larrison

Winter Wave
- Connecters Vol. 1: Original Recordings, 1992–1999.
- Freedom to Spend.
deer park

Black Cat (feat. Ivy Knight)
- Scenic Route.
Joe Harvey Whyte & Geir Sundstol

Otra Mantra
- Langeleik.
- Hubro.
Joe Harvey-Whyte

Pure Imagination
Joe Harvey-Whyte & Paul Cousins

recur
- in a fugue state.
- None More Records.
Joe Harvey-Whyte & Bobby Lee

Flatbed Alfalfa Run To Pueblo, Colorado Fall 1972
- Last Ride.
- Curation Records.
David Crosby

Laughing
- If I Could Only Remember My Name.
- Atlantic Records.
George Harrison

Behind That Locked Door
- All Things Must Pass.
- Apple Records.
Julieta Social

Nuvem Nua
- Julieta.
- Seloki Records.
Stereolab

Captain Easychord
- Captain Easychord.
- Duophonic.
Amulet

Uamh an Òir
- AMULET II.
Dr. Nico

Limbisa Ngai
- Eternel Docteur Nico.
- Merveilles du passé.
Santo & Johnny

Tenderly
- Tenderly (Teneramente).
- Produttori Associati.
Joe Harvey-Whyte & Geir Sundstøl

Ribbles
- Langeleik.
- Hubro.
Susan Alcorn

Hello Goodbye Hello
- The Hired Hands: A Tribute to Bruce Langhorne.
- Tail Records.
David Murphy

Citi na gCumann
- Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar.
Tashi Dorji

gathering
- low clouds hang, this land is on fire.
- Drag City.
Velv.93

Us
- Maidstone.
- STROOM.tv.
Félicia Atkinson & Christina Vantzou

Film Still - The Sea
- Reflections Vol. 3: Water Poems.
- RVNG Intl..
Jamie Lidell and Luke Schneider

The Story of Your Life
- A Companion For The Spaces Between Dreams.
- Northern Spy Records.
Sissi Rada

Message
- Nana Butu.
- Ash International.
Heather Leigh Murray

Island
- Glory Days.
Kit Grill

Cottongrass
- Andoya.
- Primary Colours.
BJ Cole & Icebreaker

under stars part 2
Infinite Zest

ambient music for goats
Gerry Rafferty

Right Down The Line
- City to City.
- United Artists Records.