I am finding things to say about it in dribs and drabs over on the Afro-Latin thread, but I want to at least draw attention to it here. This album is very good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyrCD4Nd2K0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPZ9ibcuCIM
iLe is the artist formerly known as PG-13 when she performed with her brothers in Calle 13.
The album is bolero/ballad oriented, with songs by iLe and some of her extended family. More late 50s/early-to-mid 60s Latin pop than Fania era (although Cheo Feliciano does appear on one of the boleros). Definitely no reggaeton.
― _Rudipherous_, Wednesday, 17 August 2016 13:06 (seven years ago) link
Just listened to Konono Noº1 Meets Batida for the first time: seems like some of it will have to grow on me, to an unexpected degree---prob. something to do with all those medium tempos, often *relatively* smoothed out on this occasion, while chugging right along, but almost laidback in cumulative effect, and most are at least 6 minutes long. However, I did immediately get into "Yambadi Mama"--one for the Can fans---also the more overtly "electronic" than usual "Kinsumba", and the faster than usual "Kuna America", that one (my fave) with vocal interjections from all over the frame, as found on some others---especially the opener, "Niele Kalusimbiko", another obvious keeper. Will listen more for sure.
― dow, Sunday, 21 August 2016 01:01 (seven years ago) link
batida on tape isn't doing much for me. live, it all falls into place.
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Sunday, 21 August 2016 02:52 (seven years ago) link
too straight-forward clubby on some recorded tracks
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 04:00 (seven years ago) link
I've been listening to various old Manu Dibango efforts. "Soul Makossa" of course but other tunes that range from afro-psych-funk to schmaltzy jazz. He's gonna be touring North America shortly
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 25 August 2016 16:10 (seven years ago) link
playlist is updated.
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Thursday, 25 August 2016 16:19 (seven years ago) link
new hailu mergia reissue out today! and it's v good. v pretty.
― Mordy, Friday, 26 August 2016 20:33 (seven years ago) link
maybe came out earlier actually? but i'm first hearing it this weekend.
― Mordy, Saturday, 27 August 2016 14:50 (seven years ago) link
its recent--June I think.
I've been studying up on Ethiopian pianist Girma Beyene who was on Ethiopiques vol. 8 Swinging Addis and penned funky jazz standard “Muziqawi Silt. “ His arrangements were used by lots of Ethiopian musicians. Around 1984 when he was living in DC he gave up on music after his wife died, but after eventually moving back to Ethiopia he started playing again around 2008. He has DC and NY gigs set for October (maybe other places too)
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 27 August 2016 21:26 (seven years ago) link
new noura mint seymali!!!! (her last album was in my 2014 top 10) (incidentally right after angel olsen who also has a new album coming out v soon)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4euzr4UaQI
― Mordy, Thursday, 1 September 2016 01:26 (seven years ago) link
I love the guitar sounds played by her husband, Jeiche Ould Chighaly
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 1 September 2016 15:10 (seven years ago) link
otm that stood out to me too
― Mordy, Thursday, 1 September 2016 15:40 (seven years ago) link
Wed. Sept. 28th --Jagwa Music ( Dar es Salaam, Tanzania street band uses interlocking drums, hacked mini casio keyboards, and hotwired megaphones) for free from 6 to 7 pm at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (and to be video-streamed and archived)
I don't recall(!) whether I have listened to this band, that I think has something out Crammed Discs, but I want to check them out based on that description. Music is on Spotify and Youtube
― curmudgeon, Friday, 2 September 2016 14:56 (seven years ago) link
Seeing Fendika tonight, they're always a treat.http://www.melakubelay.com/
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Sunday, 4 September 2016 16:27 (seven years ago) link
Is there a POX thread for comps of this (very broad) category of music? I could really use a guide to the absolute best-of-the-best as there's a bazillion of them.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 5 September 2016 15:08 (seven years ago) link
you'd be best to try by country/genre imo but the playlist for this and last year should offer some guidance?2016 - https://open.spotify.com/user/forksclovetofu/playlist/1nZtZEqVftetRt7w307hh52015 - https://open.spotify.com/user/forksclovetofu/playlist/301ODR3qGB9NiVeQrnewAR
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Monday, 5 September 2016 16:11 (seven years ago) link
here are 10 comps i've liked (don't think a thread on them is a terrible idea) (i'm assuming you want multiple artist comps and not single artist comps?):
Space Echo - The Mystery Behind the Cosmic Sound of Cabo Verde Finally Revealed!
https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0834826493_16.jpg
Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll
http://www.dust-digital.com/icn/DTD-42_600.jpg
Balani Show Super Hits: Electronic Street Parties from Mali
https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a4120423326_16.jpg
Haiti Direct - Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978
http://factmag-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/haitidirect-8.26.2013.jpeg
Kenya Special (Selected East African Recordings from the 1970 & 80s)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/quietus_production/images/articles/13039/kenya_1375972949.jpg
Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas: Tropicalia Psychedelic Masterpieces 1967-1976
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wkddrw6ictQ/hqdefault.jpg
Marvellous Boy: Calypso from West Africa
https://www.melomane.fr/9551-thickbox_default/marvellous-boy-calypso-from-west-africa-2lp.jpg
Ghana Special: Modern Highlife Afro-Sounds & Ghanian Blues 1968-81
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/203/MI0001203175.jpg?partner=allrovi.com
Congolese Funk, Afrobeat & Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978
http://staalplaat.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_slideshow/product/23195_0.jpg
Vintage Palmwine: Highlife Recorded in Ghana in the Bokoor Studios
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0002/351/MI0002351162.jpg?partner=allrovi.com
― Mordy, Monday, 5 September 2016 16:49 (seven years ago) link
marvellous boy probably my favorite thing in that list
― Mordy, Monday, 5 September 2016 16:50 (seven years ago) link
thanking you for Balani Show Super Hits, this is great. I don't know why I always ignore Sahel Sounds releases when I like basically everything I've ever heard from them. this new Kologo Power! compilation is already off to an amazing start: https://sahelsounds.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-kologo-power
If the Kenya and Ghana Specials aren't already too much to absorb, I'd also strongly recommend Nigeria Special
― rob, Monday, 5 September 2016 17:20 (seven years ago) link
Our first radio show after summer break last Friday was especially outernational: 'Richa' by Noura Mint Seymali (such a great album), Li Daiguo (on Pipa), Hailu Mergia, Equiknoxx from Kingston, Dj Marfox from Lisbon. If you're into that kind of thing... https://www.mixcloud.com/Sterrenplaten/sterrenplaten-09-september-2016
― maarten, Sunday, 11 September 2016 16:58 (seven years ago) link
--Jagwa Music ( Dar es Salaam, Tanzania street band
Listened to some of this on Spotify. Promising but a tad uneven. Its all about the rhythmic grooves
― curmudgeon, Monday, 12 September 2016 15:09 (seven years ago) link
Saw Mali's Vieux Farka Toure and a small band (bass and Drummer) Saturday for free at a Festival in 95 degrees F heat. Probably the 4th or 5th time I have seen him. I like his upbeat, more danceable songs better than the more leisurely ones he started with. Although one quiet-tempoed song was more ballad than slow groover, and his vocals and playing took on a more mournful and dramatic feel.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 12 September 2016 15:13 (seven years ago) link
That Kenya Special comp is one of my all time favourites, which is by the by... but there's a new edition in the series coming out soon on Soundway. This month I think.
― Doran, Monday, 12 September 2016 19:13 (seven years ago) link
The Dhol Foundation are embarking on their first North American tour. Kinda hit or miss with their blend of bhangra and other genres though
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 15 September 2016 12:31 (seven years ago) link
searched for an antibalas thread but didn't find one so i will post this heresaw them last night, they totally slayed and it was so funcrowd was somewhat thin but the venue was sort of medium-large
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 16 September 2016 16:55 (seven years ago) link
they're pretty much undeniable live. just a super solid party band imo.
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Friday, 16 September 2016 18:00 (seven years ago) link
yeah it was a top notch good time, and for a chicago crowd it felt very alive. and it was free! people were more friendly than usual by a wide margin.
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Friday, 16 September 2016 18:34 (seven years ago) link
arbina = a+++
unrelatedly seeing A-WA this wednesday!
― Mordy, Monday, 19 September 2016 01:52 (seven years ago) link
Looks like I missed A-Wa in DC awhile back opening for Balkan Beat Box, I'm just seeing NY & Philly and West coast dates now for current tour.
I should listen to Noura Mint Seymali new album -Arbina, as have liked her sound in the past.
Been listening to Kenya Special comp a bunch.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 19 September 2016 15:10 (seven years ago) link
yeah a-wa is at the Knit tomorrow night. $20!
― thrusted pelvis-first back (ulysses), Monday, 19 September 2016 15:21 (seven years ago) link
A-Wa played in Chicago last week same night as Antibalas but I missed it -- my friend went and said the show was top notch
also meaning to ask does Antibalas always cover that Rockwell song? They said it was for all the old sexy people, lol ;)
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 19 September 2016 15:40 (seven years ago) link
youtube suggests yes, as of last yearanyway, it was good even if i felt a hint of unwanted pandering
― weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Monday, 19 September 2016 15:42 (seven years ago) link
Saw a free gig from Tanzania's Jagwa Music last night at the Kennedy Center (video of the show should be up on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage website in a day or so, or maybe today). Pretty good but not great. They have one guy who uses a mini Casio keyboard, 2 percussionists, a woman tambourine player/dancer and a singer. Plus they have a megaphone on a pole, and some of their sounds get filtered through that. The rhythms are often speedy, and the dancer is adept, I just wasn't completely wowed by the singer's mix of singing and chanting.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 29 September 2016 14:07 (seven years ago) link
Currently touring North America, but not together: Ifrikya Spirit from Algeria; and the late great Congolese singer Tabu Ley Rochereau's band L'Orchestre Afrisa International.Looking forward to the latter. They always impressively backed Tabu Ley when I saw him perform over the years.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 4 October 2016 17:22 (seven years ago) link
Glad to see old-school Congolese musicians touring (at I assume that is who is in L'Orchestre Afrisa International)....
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 4 October 2016 21:00 (seven years ago) link
at least I assume...
I used to go look at an African music forum/chatboard that a bunch of Congolese ex-pats living in Europe and the US used to contribute to. They were so proud of 70s and 80s Congolese music, and expressed their takes that it was superior to everything else. Not sure if that board or a similar one still exists, but I wonder. Plus, that defunct magazine called The Beat, used to have a Brit contributor who also worshipped that era of Congolese sounds. Ah, the glory days of Congolese rumba & soukous--Franco, Tabu Ley, Zaiko Langa Langa, Kofi Olimede
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 5 October 2016 15:42 (seven years ago) link
I hope you New Yorkers saw Tanzanian band Jagwa Music. I'm liking their DC show even more in hindsight (plus looking at some video clips I made that showcase their great dancer/tambourine player)
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 6 October 2016 13:55 (seven years ago) link
missed that one sadly but caught Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino beforehand and they were awesome
― the notes the loon doesn't play (ulysses), Thursday, 6 October 2016 13:57 (seven years ago) link
I know nothing about traditional Italian music and dance, but will check them out later
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 6 October 2016 17:03 (seven years ago) link
they're kind of ridiculously good livehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-IfNJyxA8w
― the notes the loon doesn't play (ulysses), Thursday, 6 October 2016 17:05 (seven years ago) link
I am looking forward to old-school Ethiopian pianist Girma Beyene live. He is doing gigs in DC & NYC with the DC based Feedel Band, that includes a couple of old-timers who played with Girma in the 1980s.
Beyene came to DC in the 80s, but then quit music for a bit after his wife died(his musical inspiration he said) and worked here as a gas station attendant. Later he moved back to Ethiopia and began playing music again.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 13 October 2016 16:07 (seven years ago) link
Lol, you and i basically go to the same shows only separated by a few states
― the notes the loon doesn't play (ulysses), Friday, 14 October 2016 03:57 (seven years ago) link
xxp - I've been caning Tabu Ley in the car recently. Namely the two Voice of Lightness comps on Sterns but also some of the Syllart albums / comps. He worked with some amazing guitarists.
Loads of Congolese album recommendations on this site: http://www.muzikifan.com/africaframe.html
― millmeister, Friday, 14 October 2016 08:24 (seven years ago) link
Thanks. I am hoping that Tabu Ley's band who were just touring, will be the first of many old-school Congolese bands with great guitarists touring.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 October 2016 14:26 (seven years ago) link
Although after I watched video of Afrisa International (that I now told only includes some members of Tabu Ley's band) I was slightly less wowed. Some good moments though.
So this past Friday I saw Ethiopian piano legend Girma Beyene with DC based Ethiopian group Feedel Band. Despite an arrogant soundman who wouldn't make Girma's gorgeous, melancholy voice and piano louder in the mix, the show was very nice. Ethiopian singing star Mahmoud Ahmed was in the crowd, and Girma's producer, Francis Falceto, the curator of the Ethiopiques series was also there.
A short US tour for Girma, who had lived in DC from 1981 to 2010. NYC show coming up. He's been just hanging out in DC.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 17 October 2016 13:30 (seven years ago) link
Girma Beyene told me he enjoyed seeing Cuban jazz pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa at the Kennedy Center earlier this month.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 17 October 2016 20:36 (seven years ago) link
Modern Brazil - s/d
Brazilian postpunk samba mentioned in recent posts
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 19 October 2016 04:23 (seven years ago) link
Merasi Musicians of Rajasthan India are kinda interesting (chanted vocals over harmonium and table and handclaps and finger cymbals)
― curmudgeon, Friday, 21 October 2016 18:00 (seven years ago) link
Gonna have to miss Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed tonight live. Have seen him before, and he lives not far from me, but he rarely performs live locally
― curmudgeon, Friday, 21 October 2016 18:02 (seven years ago) link