What has always excited me about Smithsonian Folkways is the going and seeking out and documenting of music from further afield. There's so much to learn from just listening to music made by people from other places. I especially love hearing the quality of earlier recordings. Thinking of people travelling around with their sound recording equipment, called "portable" but blatantly weighing way more than anyone would dream of carrying around these days. Just hearing these voices from other lands and languages (and other times) I find hugely reassuring and encouraging. All these humans, all getting on with what they do. And so beautifully. Highly inspiring.