Tag Archive for World music

8th August 2012

DJ/rupture* – Minesweeper Suite track 1

I thought it fitting that DJ/rupture is artist number 500 on my journey. He (and his show Mudd Up!) has been one of my main finds over the past couple of years. It has opened my ears to so many great artists and new genres. It is a mash up of Gemini Dub by J Boogie and Mahmoud Fadl by Jibal Al Nuba and it taken off his Minesweeper Suite mixtape, which was released in 2002.
Sorry this post is delayed, I tried to do it on my new smartphone last night (check me out) but my ineptitude eventually overcame me!
RjK
*Artist #500

18th July 2012

Abyssinia Infinite* – Gole

This is a track by Ethiopian singer Gigi from an album she did called Zion Roots as part of a collaboration called Abyssinia Infinite. I love it’s restless energy (something I can readily relate to at the moment) and that distinctly timeless African sound.

RjK

*Artist #488

3rd July 2012

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars* – Mother In Law

There is an interesting story about these guys, in that they were formed while all were refugees from the conflict that ravaged Sierra Leone in the 90’s.

This track contains all the ingredients that make up a classic world music tune; Heavy Horns, Tinny, infectious guitar and joyous, uplifting vocals. It doesn’t really get much better. If you are interested you can download it for free here.  

RjK

*Artist #477

26th June 2012

MC Solaar* – Les temps changent

MC Solaar is a French rapper and this track is taken from the 1997 album Paradisiaque. I try not to be too esoteric in my choices and I am aware that this might seem to be a little far out. It was the first song that really made me realise that for me a strong hook (in this case I think it is spectacular) is as important as finding meaning in lyrics (not a clue, my GCSE French can’t quite cope!) 

Les temps changent…

Tramshed was excellent last night. The food was simple but full of flavour. Very hip decor and a great space (see below).

RjK

*Artist #470

24th June 2012

Youssou N’Dour featuring Neneh Cherry* – 7 Seconds

As I’ve mentioned before, one of the bigger surprises for me in the 18 months I have spent blogging is how the affection I have for world music has risen.

This track, along with Paul Simon’s Graceland, are the earliest memories I have of world music. It features three languages; Wolof (a Senegalese language), French and English and whilst it perhaps seems a little lightweight now it certainly had a lasting impact on me. 

RjK

*Artist #468

14th June 2012

La Mákina del Karibe* – Radio Gozambike (NAT)

This takes a few seconds to get going, but once it does it really gets going. It is Columbian artist that I heard on Afritanga: The sound of Afro Columbia, I collection I came across recently.
It has an infectious, manic energy that I found really irreisistible and reminds me a little of a Columbian version of Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers who my boy Brian posted for me a few months back.
 
RjK
*Artist #461

Aside

Francis Bebey* – New Track (NAT)

There has been a bit of a world music drought on the blog of late, so I thought I would feature this today. Like all the world music I love it is simple and joyful. Really, you can’t ask much more from a song.
Francis Bebey was a real renaissance man. Born in Cameroon, he was a writer and sculptor as well as make great music like this. This track is taken from a compilation of his I have been listening and enjoying recently.
So I am readying myself for a weekend in Barcelona on a friend’s stag do. Does anyone have any tips, for sightseeing or just plain survival?
RjK

*Artist #434

16th April 2012

Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras & The Congos* – Happy Song

This was ideal listening earlier for a jarring Monday morning. It is mellow, languid and hypnotic and soothed the day away.

This is taken from an interesting upcoming collaboration between roots reggae pioneers The Congos and hip LA band Sun Araw. I intend to investigate it some more as soon as the opportunity presents itself.

RjK

*Artist #422

Aside

Thomas Mapfumo* – Shumba (NAT)
 

I first came across this guy, who hails from Zimbabwe via Caribou, the mathematician, musician and man of many aliases. He has a side-project called Daphni and he sampled this song on one of those tracks. It has a fresh sound and an insistent air which makes it very compelling. 

RjK

*Artist #380