Africa @ 78 RPM

Sometimes the past can be so NEW. In this case I'm referring to the "fresh" beats compiled Jonathan Ward a four-disk collection called Opika Pende. Opika Pende means "be strong" in Lingala (Congo) and the songs collected here reflect the amazing strength and diversity of music from throughout Africa.  Covering the period from 1909 to the 1960s, this collection features musical sounds most of us have never heard before. It would be so interesting to hear some of these beat remixed by current producers.

{Photo: via}

Toubab Krewe

What happens when the beats of Mali meet up with the sounds of the American south?? Toubab Krewe is what happens! I love that even their name sticks to the mash up with Toubab meaning "foreign" and "Krewe" being a New Orleans spelling of the word "crew" - Foreign Crew! This North Carolina based group has been traveling back and forth to West Africa over the past 6 years, each time jamming with local artists, collaborating on new beats and then bringing those sounds right back here to share the joy.

{photo: Tickets Inventory}

Lene Yalew

Let's end the week with a song I'm totally digging.... Lene Yalew by Eritrean artist Saba Kahsay

{Photo: The FADER}

Sounds of Africa: Mikanic

I a few weeks ago, I was sitting in a lovely bistro in Cape Town enjoying a late afternoon lunch. My friend and I were the only ones in the restaurant at the time along with the energetic young staff. As we dined, we found ourselves bopping along to the tunes being played, with me wishing I had network access so I could shazam the songs. As we were finishing, a song came up and I couldn't resist any longer. I asked the waitress to let me know who the artist was and it turned out to be the South African duo of Mikanic singing "Don't Push". When we found out that it was on an album called A Moment in Cape Town we almost fell out of our seats because nothing could have summarized that moment better than the title of that CD!

{Photo: Mikanic by Clare Louise Thomas}

Sounds of Africa: Mayaeni

One of the artists that I've been jamming to on this trip is Mayaeni.Part Jewish and part Sierra Leonean, I heard her song Broken Glass on t.v. and couldn't get it out of my head. This of course led me to check out even more of her music which is part rock, part soul, and 100% wonderful!
 

{Photo: The Complex}

Sounds of Africa....in NYC

So, you happen to live in one of the top global cities, aka New York City, happen to love hip music, especially when coming from that amazing continent we all love, AND you like FREE things! If you are indeed said person then there really is only ONE place for you to be on Sunday evening.......

{Photo and event sponsor = Society HAE}

Sounds of Africa: Debo Band

While there are many sounds from South Sudan that have slipped away from my memory bank, one thing that remains is the sound of Ethiopian beats blaring through the night. Whenever I was in the city of Juba, I stayed in a small house that was near a popular Ethiopian restaurant. On any weekend evening, we could hear every note of the music vibrating through the house even though we were a good block away. At first the music was fun, something I could bop your head and dance along with while making dinner or chatting with friends. But as I crawled into bed and attempted to sleep, and the good-times beat kept blaring through the night - 1am, 2am, 3am - the only thing I felt like "bopping" were the speakers that stretched the distance between me and sweet somber.

Since then, I can honestly say there was no bopping to anything Ethiopian until I came across Debo Band who replaces those mixed memories with fresh happy new ones! Founded by Ethiopian-American saxophonist Danny Mekonnen, Debo Band transports you into the hip, swinging world of 1970s Addis while still infusing contemporary American soul and funk beats. Click here and here to hear more of what I'm talking about and be sure to check out their site to find out when their current tour will bring them to a location near you!

{Photo: Bushwick BK}

Sounds of Africa: Independence

Can you believe that by this time tomorrow the world, and more specifically Africa, will have a whole new nation!! While most of us will continue our weekend in "normal" mode - tomorrow's independence of South Sudan marks an event that cannot be summed-up in words, let alone words from someone like me. It is often hard for me to remember that "freedom" isn't actually "free;" that there are thousands and still more who have had to struggle, fight, die, loose loved ones, and more for the privileges of freedom. For the Southern Sudanese who have literally been fighting (and least we forget, they are still fighting in the north) for decades, tomorrow's independence is a fresh start to well......everything!

So to mark the occasion, it only makes sense to be jamming to mixes by Wahid Soumade who has brought together some amazing talent from throughout Sudan first in order to promote the vote, and now to mark the occasion. In addition, you can also check out this video which injects a whole bunch of flavor into the Sudanese remix....

{Photo: Sudan Votes Music Hopes}

Sounds of Africa: Kae Sun

Let's rap the week up with some soulful, reggae, thoughtful songs by Ghanian (Canada-based) singer Kae Sun. With beats like On the Lookout, Jungle Law, When the Pot, Free and more, this is an artist that I hope to be listening to more and more....

{Photo: amdcollective}

Sounds of Africa: Rhian Benson

One artist that I've been jammin' to this week is Ghanian/Welsh singer Rhian Benson who I first heard about via afriPOP! Not only is she in the visual and vocal departments, but with a past life as a London School of Economics graduate, stockbroker and Harvard attendee she's clearly loaded in the brains department as well. Check out this track to hear more and this article to read more about this talented artist.

{Photo: Mimi Magazine}

Sounds of Africa: Asa

Last night I was feeling a little down and out, but then I heard tracks from the new Asa album and before I knew it, I was up and jamming to all her latest beats. The entire album, Beautiful Imperfection, is brilliant and makes me wish it was coming out sooner than this fall! But until then, you can listen to the album (mostly just samples of the tracks) on her facebook page and you can check out this video of her new release.

{Photo: Asa}

Fab 5 Friday....

After 6 weeks in Iraq hanging out with a bunch of British (and Scottish) dudes, my whole music world has been invaded by British musicians....since my fingers refuse to hit the stop button, I figure I am as well bring you down this musical rabbit hole with me....not only are these individual songs brilliant (click the image to hear each song), these entire albums still have me tripped out even though they have been out for a while....






{Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Sounds of Africa: Meklit Hadero

It seems like every week there is at least one artist where I find myself utterly shocked that I haven't shared him/her with you. This week, it's Ethiopian (SF-based) artist Meklit Hadero. Porto Franco Records says the following about her...

"If Joni Mitchell were East African and met Nina Simone for tea in San Francisco's Mission District, she might end up sounding like Meklit Hadero"

....and I honestly couldn't agree more. She has the prefect hippy vibe of Joni and the soulful sound of Nina all wrapped up in African goodness! I'm all for it. Click the picture to hear exactly what I'm talking about....

{Photo: Porto Franco Records}

Sounds of Africa: Sissoko & Segal

After what feels like a gazillion hours of traveling, I'm finally home! After so many weeks away, walking into my apartment felt a little bit like going into foreign territory. But before I can really settle in, I'm actually heading off again - this time for a few days of vacation in the sunny state of Florida hanging out with both family and friends. It has only just hit me just how much of a "time-off" my body and mind are craving, so I'll be tuning out as much as possible next week. There will be a few blog posts sprinkled throughout the next week, but I'll be back on a to regular posting on the 16th.

However, before I head off to sandier shores, I want to leave with you the music of kora player Ballake Sissoko from Mali and cellist Vincent Segal from France. This is a musical combination that I would not have instantly thought about, but once I heard it, it made perfect sense. the two artists have a wonderful short session here that you can enjoy or a longer session here on NPR.

{Photo: wend}

Sounds of Africa: La Fouine

I always forget how much I enjoy French hip hop/rap until I hear a tune that just reminds me of how cool that music can be. This time, the tune, Les Soleils de Minuit by French (by way of Morocco) artist La Fouine. Check it out!

{Photo: La Fouine}

Fab 5 Friday

To bring this week to a conclusion, here are a few beats that have been playing in my ear throughout many reports, long and beautiful road trips, and more this week! Click on any of the images to be directly linked in to the related video including some amazing acoustic takes on these songs!

{Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Sounds of Africa: Tumi & the Volume

It's been weeks since I've been able to listen due to some technical issues here in Iraq, but with all that worked out, I'm really happy to share my new-found love for the South African group Tumi and The Volume with you! Rui Tenreiro, who I interviewed last week, introduced me to the band and since I started listening, I'm totally hooked! Tracks on their latest album Pick a Dream including Moving Picture Frames, Asinamali, Number Three, and....well you get my drift, I'm digging the whole thing!

{Photo: French-Music}

Fab 5 Friday

Here is a little sample of what has been playing in my ear throughout this week.....

Bowl of Oranges - Bright Eyes
You are Not Alone - Mavis Davis


The Verb - The Swell Season
Jesus, Etc. - Wilco
I Can't Write Left Handed - John Legend & The Roots

{Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Sounds of Africa: African Scream Contest

Just the byline of the African Scream Contest album says at all...Raw & Psychedelic Afro! The entire album requires that you move to the beat. I heard the entire album in a cafe one afternoon and literally heads were bopping and legs tapping the entire time the album was playing. Tracks like Wait for Me, Vinon So Minsou, Congolaise Benin Ye and Oya Ka Jojo all provide you a good sample of the type of vibe you will find on the entire album.

{Photo: Amazon}

......

So in addition to all the African artists and artists inspired by music from the continent, I listen to a TON of other music as well. In order to better share with you some of the other beats playing on my iPhone/Grooveshark, I've come up with Fab 5 Friday where you get to find out the top 5 songs on rotation.

1) A Las Tres by Los Enanitos Verdes 2) Beautiful Lie by Ivan & Alyosha

3) The District Sleeps Alone Tonight by The Postal Service
4) 'Til I Collapse by Enimem

5) Rolling in the Deep by Adele

Needless to say my taste kinda runs across the board! So what's be playing in your ear this week?? I'm a slave for new music, so I love to hear what you are listening to.....

{Photos: 1,2,3,4,5}