Friday, April 27, 2012
Orchestre Régional de Ségou—SNAC 2001
Face A
Wimbrègué
Hanzounou
Election
SIDA
Face B
Macoroba Kouma
Douniya Latigué
Staglé
Kalilou
One of the things I love about music in Mali (in general) is that the music that you hear out on the streets in urban areas has such palpable roots in traditional music from the villages. You never feel like you're listening to bubble gum pop of the masses. This government supported band has been crushing it in some shape or form for many years.
Bola's new release for Awesome Tapes From Africa is out now and available on limited edition cassette (see links on sidebar at left).
Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ sets coming up...Coming back to US soon!:
30.04 Gothenberg SE / Clandestino Festival at Röda Sten
02.05 Milan IT / La Triennale
11.05 Antwerp BE / Scheldapen (Cassette Connection tour with DJ Cinnamoon and Sebcat's Taj Mahal)
12.05 Brussels BE / Recyclart (Cassette Connection tour with DJ Cinnamoon and Sebcat's Taj Mahal)
18.05 New York NY / Santos Partyhouse Spencer's GIFs w/ Teengirl Fantasy, Ablehearts, Tim DeWitt
19.05 Brooklyn NY / 285 Kent w/ Lamin Fofana and Chief Boima
20.05 New York NY / Lisa Cooley Gallery at 7pm
23.05 Boston MA / Spectacle w/ Debo Band
25.05 Seattle, WA / CAIRO
26.05 Portland OR / Holocene w/ Sahel Sounds
28.05 George, WA / Sasquatch! Music Festival at the Gorge
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Oliver Mtukudzi—Kuvhaira
Side One
Kuvhaira
Rudo Ndinarwo
Ucharoya Chete
Side Two
Mupfuhwira Rudo
Chisuwo
Makanganwa Here!
I saw in the news Mugabe is at death's doorway. Here's to hoping for freedom for all in Zimbabwe ASAP. Let's pray the bozos who've been propping the Old Man up the last few years don't take over.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Yvonne Chaka Chaka—Sangoma
Side 1
Sangoma
Come A Little Bit Closer
Private Lover
Side Two
Save Me
Stimela
I'm Gonna Stop Loving You
I could only hold off on posting a Yvonne Chaka Chaka joint for so long. Her contributions to electronic dance-pop in the 80s, and later to South Africa in general, are immense and make for a good newspaper profile.
From SA post-disco trailblazer to her current work with the UN and as the face of Lifebuoy Soap, Yvonne Chaka Chaka remains a busy and successful lady. Two thumbs up.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Assane Mboup—Nate-Yi
Face A
Nate-Yi
Walle Bagne
Sabablu
Face B
Coumba Bakhaw
Pass-PAss AK Farlu
Darou Khafor
Charismatic and tricked out mbalax from a stellar vocalist who has played with crucial Senegalese dynamo Orchestra Baobab and other well known Dakar-based ensembles. Mboup is simply one of the most incredible singers I have ever seen/heard.
Next week Awesome Tapes From Africa hits Los Angeles for some special shows:
Thursday, April 12 Future Roots Array by dublab w/ Cut Chemist, Duppy Gun DJs (Sun Araw & M. Geddes Gengras), Boss Harmony (the riddim specialist of Dr. Who), Mor Elian, Frosty
Friday, April 13 Desert Gold: Roadside Attraction at Ace Hotel Palm Springs during Coachella, 12pm-5pm curated by ATFA, featuring Peaking Lights and Secret Circuit
Saturday April 14 No-Chella at the Claremont Colleges
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Manka Le Phallang—Mokhosi
Side 1
Mokhosi
Lipotsotso
Koko Inama
Limakatso
Ngoka Kenna Feela
Side 2
Linyane La Tau
Tlo Hella Batho
E Tang Taba
Santile
Machache
This 1989 Basotho famo music recording from fascinating land-island-within-South Africa Lesotho oughta set y'all straight for a minute. Accordion and bass heavy. Nice n' smooth. Add to that high-pitched super-hot (perhaps a bit too hot?) whistling and the real mood of this music shakes out.
Forthcoming Awesome Tapes From Africa release by Bola comes out Tuesday, preorder here or your favorite record shop.
ALSO--Super stoked to let you know Awesome Tapes will be taking an extended hiatus for a 5-month surfing and sailing adventure in Southeast Asia. Be well.
