Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Next Stop... Soweto - Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga
Next Stop... SowetoTownship Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga
Label: Strut Records
20 unreleased tracks of rare and obscure 60s-70s compositions from South Africa producing a brief historical overview of the infectious rhythms and jazz inspired beats that were energizing the townships at the time. The wonderful variety of vocals and local styles on this first of 3 volumes make this a winner in any era.
• Next Stop... Soweto WebsiteSora - Heartwood
SoraHeartwood
Label: Corvid Media
Soothing and refreshing Celtic music spearheaded by this traditionally styled vocalist. Her voice twinkles with delicate splashes of vibrato amidst the lushly melodic atmospheres that bloom from the emotional tales told as the panorama of instruments unfolds.
• Sora Website • Sora FacebookBako Dagnon - Sibida
Bako DagnonSibida
Label: Syllart Productions
Bako Dadnon is a renowned vocalist. Known in her native land of Mali as the premier Mande musician as well as an acclaimed female griot (traditional singer/story teller) her voice leads with a confident power denoting the story teller that she is. Regardless of the language you speak, few vocalists have the command and attention she draws. All buffeted by percussive beds of electrified native rhythms.
• Bako Dagnon FacebookThe Pints - First Round
The PintsFirst Round
Label: Self Released
Having played around the Madison area for several years, this jiggy Irish and Celtic loving septet brandishes 13 traditional ditties infused with their own dynamic flings and spills. Don’t forget your dancing shoes, kilt and designated driver!
• The The Pints WebsiteCarmen Souza - Protegid
Carmen SouzaProtegid
Label: Galileo Music
Curiously comfortable musical flirtations conjoining the surprising influences of West Africa’s Cape Verde with contemporary vigor and vision. The lyrics may be in Creole but her dextrous vocals dance with effortless accompaniment to the jazzy rhythms spiced with Arabic, Polish, Euro and African injections.
• Carmen Souza FacebookCARMEN RIZZO - Looking Through Leaves
CARMEN RIZZOLooking Through Leaves
Label: Electrofone Records
Rizzo is a two time Grammy nominee producer, re-mixer, and artist, with an extensive list of credentials. This solo journey of chilled minimalistic soundscapes is sprinkling with evocative textures, rhythms, and grooves to beautify any existence where it is welcomed.
• CARMEN RIZZO Website • CARMEN RIZZO Facebook • CARMEN RIZZO WikiCHARMING HOSTESS - The Bowls Project
CHARMING HOSTESSThe Bowls Project
Label: Tzadik
This is a bizarre mixture of intensely creative elements that links female vocals, Iraqi folk, Jewish culture, rock, metal, sex, love, angels, demons, and oodles more in an eclectic fashion. Inspiration here was garnered from inscriptions found on bowls buried beneath Jewish Babylonian houses which allowed group leader Jewlia Eisenberg a culturally poignant and diverse perspective to compose from.
• CHARMING HOSTESS Website • CHARMING HOSTESS Facebook • CHARMING HOSTESS WikiChico Trujillo - Chico de Oro
Chico TrujilloChico de Oro
Label: Barbes Records
I received this CD after I saw their kickin’ set at the Marquette Waterfront Festival earlier this summer and had to spread the word. This release does what it can to relay the exuberance, depth, and passion of their live performance. Their feisty splashy Cumbia explores the boundaries of this encompassing Pan-Latin genre in so many wonderful ways.
• Chico Trujillo Website • Chico Trujillo WikiMohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family - Land of Fire
Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung FamilyLand of Fire
Label: Black Eye Watching
Rich, Afro-pop rhythms are woven with proverbs and ancient history by this master drummer and his fellow Bizungs (hereditary talking drum masters of Northern Ghana). The sublime rhythms are bolstered on some songs with funky rock interjections and other contemporary craftwork.
• Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family Website • Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family FacebookOreka TX - Nömadak Tx
Oreka TXNömadak Tx
Label: World Village
Unless you are an avid fan of Basque music, you probably have never heard of the main instrument utilized here. It was banned (along with the Basque language) under the harsh Franco rule in Spain. The txalaparta, (pronounced CHOLL-uh-PART-uh) is comprised of wooden planks laid over trestles and struck with sticks held vertically. Although it sounds kind of like a steel drum at times, the driving duo behind this project pushes the boundaries to include throat singing and other folk infusions in their unique compositions.
• Oreka TX Website • Oreka TX Facebook • Oreka TX WikiChico Mann - Analog Drift
Chico MannAnalog Drift
Label: Wax Poetics Records
Except for the effervescent cover of Talking Heads ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ Analog Drift was composed and played entirely by Marcos Garcia who IS Chico Mann. As a member of Anatibala Afrobeat Orchestra he traveled the world and learned all about Afro-Cuban funk which he expertly employs here along with other well chosen influences.
• Chico Mann Website • Chico Mann FacebookKing Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde
King Sunny AdeBaba Mo Tunde
Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings
I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.
• King Sunny Ade Facebook • King Sunny Ade WikiView More
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