Free Album! Putumayo Digital Sampler

 You can't beat free music and luckily Amazon.com offers some free albums from time to time. For a fun around-the-world sampler, download this album from Amazon:

Putumayo Digital Sampler (Click here to download)

Wednesday's Reader Picks

Have you recently heard a great track that you would like to share? We love to hear about what our readers are listening to, and if you have a great track to share, send us an email with your review for our weekly "Wednesday's Reader Picks." Here, we want to know what you listen to.

• Don't forget to include a YouTube or (similar video/audio link) with your submission, so that our other readers can enjoy the music too!
• We generally keep our reviews less than 100 words— short and sweet and all about the music. If you really love the track and feel inclined to write more, please feel free to do so!
• Please avoid swearing. We love the fact that you are passionate about the music, but try to keep it clean.
• If you submitted a track review and it did not appear in the next "Wednesday's Reader Picks" series, please do not resubmit it. We are restricted to the number of readers picks we can post each week and will hold on to yours for another week.

Click Here for more details on submitting material to Nomad's Playlist.

This Week's Picks (#9)

This week's picks are inspired by the WOMAD festival that took place this weekend in Wiltshire. WOMAD saw a fabulous line up of musicians and artists and by playing some of the music here I'm trying to convince myself that it is not the end of the world that I was not able to attend. I don't believe it's working.

"Je T'Aime" by Staff Benda Bilili


Staff Benda Bilili is a group of Congolese street musicians whose core members were disabled by polio. The core musicians are backed by a younger line-up of ex-street kids taken under the wings of the older musicians. The main soloist is an 18 year old boy who plays on a one string lute made of a tin can. This track "Je T'Aime" is from their debut album Tres Tres Fort (2009). The group is known for their rumba rhythms that back their eclectic sound.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


"Lamp Fall" by Cheikh Lô


Cheikh Lô is often mistaken for a Rastafarian thanks to his dreadlocks and reggae influences. He is actually a member of the Senegalese sect of Islam, Baye Fall, which plays an important role in his music. The patchwork clothes and long dreadlocks are trademarks of Baye Fall. Cheikh Lô started playing drums at an early age and dedicates his music to Baye Fall.  This is the title track from his 2005 album.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


"Stória Stória" by Mayra Andrade


This artist may not have been one of the headliners of this festival, but she is one of the artists I really wished I had seen. Mayra Andrade is Cape Verdean, but hails from a varied background- born in Cuba, growing up in Senegal and Germany, and recording in France. This background is reflected in her music. While influenced by her exposure to the great musicians of Cape Verde, her style is a refreshing mix of all her influences. This is the title track from her 2009 album.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


Were you lucky enough to see the WOMAD festival in Wiltshire? We would love to hear your stories and see your pictures. Please send us your experiences for a special post about WOMAD. 

Nomad's Calendar: This Weekend

Check out some of the live shows happening this weekend in London.

• July 24th, Saturday 3:00pm: Drummers of Burundi @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS)£7 Considered one of the best percussion ensembles on the planet, this ideal family concert from The Drummers of Burundi’s is as much about the spectacle as it is about the music. Spanning generations, the ensemble is made up of fathers teaching their sons the art of drumming and dance - the drummers rotate during the performance, playing different instruments and creating a mesmerising and continuous stream of music, rhythm and dance. 
• July 24th, Saturday 7:30pm: Mayra Andrade / Calypso Rose @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS) £12.50-22.50 Mayra Andrade is arguably the front-runner of the many talents who have emerged from Cape Verde in recent years. Whilst Calypso Rose, the 'diva of the Caribbean', blends the sweet sounds and rhythms of calypso, reggae, soul and the blues.
• July 25th, Sunday 1:00-10:30pm: Ealing Global Music Day @ Walpole Park (Mattock Lane, Ealing W5) £1 Old and new Roma and Klezmer music from around the globe will be celebrated at this year’s Gypsy themed Global Festival. This fast-paced, Gypsy, Balkan, Folk-fused, eclectic showcase will have audiences toe-tapping, hand-clapping and jumping like mad.
• July 25th, Sunday 7:30pm: Toto La Momposina @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS) £10-20 A very special concert marking the bicentenary of Colombia’s independence, this night celebrates the sounds of both Colombia’s best established and up and coming artists. 

Can't make any of these shows? Check out our Nomad's Calendar for other upcoming world music events in London.  

Wednesday's Reader Picks

This week, one reader has brought us the beautiful voice of Kiran Ahluwalia.

"Vo Kuch!" by Kiran Ahluwalia


Kiran Ahluwalia is a famous for her ghazals and Punjabi folk songs. This track is from her debut album, Kiran Ahluwalia 2005. Ahluwalia was born in India, raised in Canada and now based in New York City. She studied with guru Vithal Rao and traveled extensively in the Punjab to immerse herself in the folk music.
(Submitted by Anonymous)



Have you recently heard a great track that you would like to share? Send in your review of a track for our weekly "Reader's Picks" series. Here, we want to know what you listen to.

Please visit our Reader Submission Details Page for more information on how to submit any material to Nomad's Playlist.

This Week's Picks (#8)

Please enjoy this week's picks and don't forgot to submit your favorite tracks for our "Wednesday's Reader Picks" series! 

"Messe Messe" by Gregor Salto and Mokoomba
 
Mokoomba, the winners of the Music Crossroads InterRegional Festival (IRF) in 2008, are from Zimbabwe and proudly present the Tonga people. The name Mokoomba even stems from the respect that the Tonga have for the Zambezi river and the group sings in Tonga which is a lesser known Zimbabwean language. In this track, Mokoomba work together with the DJ Gregor Salto from Holland. Mokoomba is known for fusing indigenous Tonga instruments with more popular instruments like guitar and keyboards to make a danceable fusion as is easy to hear in this track.
(Reviewed by Alexandra) 


"Lufuala Ndonga" by Konono No1 

Staying with Africa, we move to the Congo and the track "Lufuala Ndonga" from the album Congotronics. Konono No1 has recently seen some fame due to their newest album, Assume Crash Position, but this track is a great one from their 2004 album, Congotronics. Konono No1 began in the 1980s as a group of likembe (thumb piano) players. They soon discovered that they would need amplification in order for their instruments to be heard and made their own DIY amplification. This became the essence of their sound. As you can hear in this track, their distorted amplified sound is an aesthetic that makes this group something special. 
(Reviewed by Alexandra) 


"Kokeiro" by Marksheider Kunst 

When you listen to the track you may not realize, but Marksheider Kunst hails from St. Petersburg Russia. This track is from the 2003 album Na Svyazi. Known for their their upbeat, danceable music, they were asked how a band from Russia could play such sunny music, and Marksheider responded "Exactly because we don't get enough sun, warmth and light, we have to compensate this. Drugs are not a solution in the long run - music is."1  
(Reviewed by Alexandra)

Album Review: Ghost Towns by John Statz

Album: Ghost Towns

Artist: John Statz

Release Date: August 12, 2010

Genre/Region: American folk, folk rock

While the classic "is folk music world music" debate is still argued among some, Nomad's Playlist will state its position by reviewing a folk artist from Wisconsin, USA for it's first album review. In all honesty, I have never been much of an American folk fan. Dylan and his signature irksome voice put me off the entire genre. However, I may be a convert after discovering this up and coming Madison, WI artist.

To say this might sound contradictory as John Statz is a huge Dylan fan and is certainly influenced by him. The Dylan influence was more evident in his solo, live recorded album, An Evening with John Statz (2008). This was the album that introduced me to him and it perfectly captures the intimate setting that make a good John Statz show. That said, Ghost Towns marks a more mature sound with Statz settling into his own style. While his voice has lost some of its typical folk twang, I find myself missing the elegant acoustic guitar lines that made me fall in love with his 2008 album.

In place of the acoustic, Statz has updated the folk sound with a full band and rock/alt-country influences. The album is the result of his tours in the States, Europe and Canada. "Whether it was bullet holes and bombed rooftops in Sarajevo, or desolate abandoned buildings and decaying main street America, the album title seemed very pertinent to the state of the world today" (quoted from his website). However, this is not a heavy album through and through. Even the track "Ghost Towns," which has the type of social commentary message you would expect from a folk song, is upbeat and rocking. A few of the songs do have the heavy soul and acoustic atmosphere of typical folk, such as  "Night Train To Sarajevo" and "Julija." 

The track "Best Girl" is a fun, revamped version of "Best Girl of '16" from his 2008 album. Again, I personally fell in love with his exquisite acoustic guitar lines of the earlier album, but that does not stop this new version from having its own merits. "Best Girl" is more upbeat than its earlier counterpart and is a better setting for the lyrics detailing a solider coming home to his best girl.

The best song of the album is "The Wichita Waltz." The track is slow and about a love story gone sour. It is a little more country than I would normally like, but the absolutely beautiful harmonies sung by Whitney Mann send chills down my spine.

Overall, this is a well put together album with a wide variety of tracks to keep the listener interested. Statz has really grown into a distinct sound since his last release and I expect he will continue to produce some great music as he keeps touring and taking inspiration from his travels. The album will be released on CD and vinyl as well as mp3 download on August 12th, 2010. To preview a few singles from the upcoming album, be sure to visit http://johnstatz.bandcamp.com. 

(Reviewed by Alexandra)

Nomad's Calendar: This Weekend

There is certainly no shortage of great shows for the weekend in London. With lots of gigs to chose from, you have no excuse for missing out on some good music!

• July 15th, Thursday 7:30pm: Najma Akhtar and Gary Lucas @ Jazz Cafe (5 Parkway, Camden NW1 7PG) £17.50 adv Najma Akhtar & Gary Lucas play London’s prestigious Jazz Café on Thursday 15th July, in support of their celebrated 2009 album ‘Rishte’ (Relationships). When acclaimed guitarist and Grammy-nominated songwriter Gary Lucas met Indian vocalist extraordinaire Najma Akhtar, sparks literally flew...The result was ‘Rishte’, truly a match made in heaven. Gary produced the music, including some songs originally written for Buckley, and Najma nailed the words and the melodies for their first album. Their coming together is a rare confluence of interests and talents and it has produced a beautiful & unique collection of songs which, when reproduced live at London’s Jazz Cafe, will hold you spellbound.
  
• July 15th, Thursday 8:00pm: Céu/Bomba Estéreo @ Hackney Empire (291 Mare Street E8 1EJ) Céu is Brazil’s latest gift to music – a hugely talented young singer-songwriter whose pure voice nestles in cool and contemporary productions of samba-funk, reggae and bossa. 
• July 15th, Thursday 8:30pm: Django Drom: Celebrating Django Reinhardt @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS) £15-25 Legendary gypsy-jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt would have turned 100 in January 2010; Django Drom is a stunning multi-media work created by Tony Gatlif to celebrate his centenary. The show, featuring violinist Didier Lockwood and guitarist Bireli Lagrene, explores the gypsy roots of Django’s genius as well as his dazzling achievements in jazz. Born in Algiers, Tony Gatlif arrived in France following the Algerian War of Independence. He struggled for years to break into the film industry, playing in several theatrical productions. Since his 1981 feature Corre, Gitano, Gatlif's work has been focused on the Roma people of Europe , from whom he partially traces his descent. Exils (2004), won the Best Director Award at Cannes Film Festival where Transylvania was premiered in 2006.
• July 16th, Friday 7:30pm: Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS) £10-30 Zakir Hussain is one the world’s great tabla players, whose music is rooted in the playing of his father, tabla legend Ustad Alla Rakha – but who has come to transcend genres and styles. A harmonic convergence of virtuosity, this singular event brings together a triumvirate of genre-bending masters. 
• July 16th, Friday 8:00pm: Willie Colon @ Hackney Empire (291 Mare Street E8 1EJ) £15-25 Known in his youth as El Malo - the bad boy - Willie Colon, Bronx-born with Puerto Rican grandparents, has sold more than any other single Latin artist (over 30 million sales worldwide) during a career spanning more than 40 years.
  A trombonist, singer, composer and one of the original Fania All-Stars, his collaboration with Ruben Blades, Siembra, is the biggest-selling Salsa album of all time. Later on, his collaboration with Hector LaVoe was the milestone that spread this joyous fusion of tropical/urban music throughout Latin America. His forthcoming albums are Pregunta Por Ahi (Pcm Digital) and Metiendo Mano with Ruben Blades (out this month on Fania). The UK’s leading international salsa DJ and Fania Records CD compiler Lubi Jovanovic provides the opening set. Dancing encouraged!
• July 17th, Saturday 7:30pm: Toots and the Maytals @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS) £15-25 One of Jamaica’s true musical legends hosts an evening of classic reggae and ska as part of a special weekend focusing on the roots of Caribbean music. One of the original legends of ska and reggae, singer and composer Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert - perhaps the last of the pioneers of the music still working with his original power and inspiration. Tonight Toots and the Maytals perform a set full of classics and invite guests Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Max Romeo to share their own rich catalogue. 
• July 18th, Sunday 7:30pm: Youssou N'Dour @ Barbican (Silk Street EC2Y 8DS) £15-30 In an exhilarating live show, the Senegalese superstar’s exciting new project celebrates the relationship between Reggae and the Motherland, exploring the intertwined musical history of African and Caribbean music.

Can't make any of these shows? Check out our Nomad's Calendar for other upcoming world music events in London.  

Wednesday's Reader Picks

Have you recently heard a great track that you would like to share? We love to hear about what our readers are listening to, and if you have a great track to share, send us an email with your review for our weekly "Wednesday's Reader Picks." Here, we want to know what you listen to.

• Don't forget to include a YouTube or (similar video/audio link) with your submission, so that our other readers can enjoy the music too!
• We generally keep our reviews to about 100 words— short and sweet and all about the music. If you really love the track and feel inclined to write more, please feel free to do so!
• Please avoid swearing. We love the fact that you are passionate about the music, but try to keep it clean.
• If you submitted a track review and it did not appear in the next "Wednesday's Reader Picks" series, please do not resubmit it. We are restricted to the number of readers picks we can post each week and will hold on to yours for another week.

Click Here for more details on submitting material to Nomad's Playlist.

This Week's Picks (#7) ¡Viva España!

As the World Cup comes to it's end, we can finally return to our regular program. However, we haven't quite escaped the world of football as this edition of This Week's Picks is inspired by Sunday's game. Spain played such a close game, that even though it did not make it into our World Cup Losers series, it deserves it's own tribute. Here's to Spain, the 2010 World Cup Champions!

"Primavera" by José Mercé

I am a die hard flamenco fan, and love the excuse to feature some of my favorites. This track is from José Mercé's 2003 release, Del Amanecer.... While José may have a terrible hair cut, his distinct cantaor voice compensates. It is easy to imagine how he has become one of the greatest voices in flamenco. For a flamenco track, the guitar is pretty tame, but to listen to Mercé is to bask in his outstanding, strong voice, not to focus on the guitar. 
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


"Ole" by Jarabe De Palo


Jarabe De Palo is a rock group that has found considerable fame in Spanish speaking countries. This track is from their 2007 release Adelantando. This is a great song and much to my delight you can hear some flamenco influences, which lift the song from being average to great. The flamenco influences may be slight in this track, but it is easier to hear them in some of their other tracks ("Ying Yang" for example). While I only just stumbled across this group while searching for Spanish music, I am definitively hooked.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


"Por la Mar Chica del Puerto" by Mayte Martín 

I've chosen another flamenco singer for our last track, but Mayte Martín is a different vain of singer than Mercé. However, she does seem to have the exact same unfortunate hair cut. Martín's voice has more sweetness than Mercé and is less rough. She models her image closer to that of cantaors like Mercé than the typical cantaora, but she does not have the course voice of the cantaors. Her voice has become the model for the newer generation of cantaoras. This track is from her recent 2010 release, Al Cantar a Manuel.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)

A Tribute to the World Cup Losers #7: Netherlands

We are currently featuring a special series on the World Cup and will return to our normal schedule including "This Week's Picks" tomorrow, Tuesday July 13th.

Alright, so maybe calling them "losers" is a little harsh seeing as they made their way into the final 16, but this series will focus on the countries who are eliminated during the final stage of the World Cup. As the 2010 World Cup in South Africa moves into the elimination stage, Nomad's Playlist will be showcasing our favorite picks from the countries unfortunate enough to be thrown out of the running.

Netherlands

The World Cup has finally come to an end and there was a tight game between Netherlands and Spain. Netherlands certainly gave Spain a run for their money, but in the end, couldn't hold up against the team and has become the final country in our series.


"Treasure" by Zuco 103


Netherlands is full of great music, but most of what you can find is not what you would think of as Dutch music. While trying to pick what could best represent the country, I came across this band, Zuco 103 that is based in Amsterdam and couldn't resist posting them. Their singer was born in Brazil and the music definitely has a Brazilian flavor. However, with the addition of the other musicians and the influence of their home base in Amsterdam, there is a flare that allows this group to stick out and proudly represent Holland.

A Tribute to the World Cup Losers #6: Semi-Finals

We are currently featuring a special series on the World Cup and will return to our normal schedule including "This Week's Picks" and "Wednesday's Reader Picks" when the series is finished. We do hope you enjoy the current series. 

Alright, so maybe calling them "losers" is a little harsh seeing as they made their way into the final 16, but this new series will focus on the countries who are eliminated during the final stage of the World Cup. As the 2010 World Cup in South Africa moves into the elimination stage, Nomad's Playlist will be showcasing our favorite picks from the countries unfortunate enough to be thrown out of the running.

Uruguay

Uruguay was able to knock Ghana out of the running during a vicious game in the quarter finals. However, Uruguay got thrown out by losing to Netherlands in the semi-finals.




"Vagabundo" by Martin Buscaglia 

Martin Buscaglia is a Uruguayan singer-songwriter who has been called the South American version of Prince. Seeing as there are available videos on YouTube, I might debate that. "Vagabundo" is from the album El Evangelio Segun mi Jardinero (2006) and is refreshing. The track blends traditional and popular and offers a new twist on the classic song.


Germany

While it seems most of London was glad to see this team leave, they did play a tough game. In the end Spain closed the deal and sent this team home.  



"Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" by Klaus Nomi


And now for something completely different. While searching German music I came across this and could not stop myself from posting it. "And now is the time on Shprockets ven ve danze." If there are any Germans out there upset with the sterotype of the weird German, blame this.

A Tribute to the World Cup Losers #5: The Quarter Finals

We are currently featuring a special series on the World Cup and will return to our normal schedule including "This Week's Picks" and "Wednesday's Reader Picks" when the series is finished. We do hope you enjoy the current series. 

Alright, so maybe calling them "losers" is a little harsh seeing as they made their way into the final 16, but this new series will focus on the countries who are eliminated during the final stage of the World Cup. As the 2010 World Cup in South Africa moves into the elimination stage, Nomad's Playlist will be showcasing our favorite picks from the countries unfortunate enough to be thrown out of the running.

The Quarter Finals saw four more teams sent home in some surprising upsets, but the good news is that we get to listen to some great music!


Brazil

In a surprise lost, Brazil gives up their spot in the semi-finals to the Netherlands. Whereas it may be hard to find some music from the Netherlands, Brazil has the opposite problem-- there's just too much good music!



"Shimbalaie" by Maria Gadú


Maria Gadú is a new young Brazilian pop singer who seems to be taking the country by storm. This track was her first single and topped the charts for five weeks. "Shimbalaie" is now available on her self-titled album, Maria Gadú (2009). I've surprised myself by liking this track, as it's a little too poppy for my normal tastes. However, I enjoy the relaxed beat and think this song is great for unwinding.


Ghana

In a heartbreaking match, Ghana lost in the penalty shoot-out after their last goal of the game was deflected by a handball. This unfortunately means that the last African team lost its chance at an African World Cup title.


"KyenKyen Bi Adi Mawu" by Alhaji K. Frimpong


You can't discuss music from Ghana without talking about highlife. Highlife is a hybrid style created in Ghana in the 1900s, combining African song forms, Christian hymns, European brass band, and big band jazz. It has successfully been the jam of Ghana for a century. Even if Ghana can't pull through when it comes to football, they can definitely crank out the music.


Argentina

Much to the dismay of the entire country of England, Argentina lost to Germany. Not only did they lose, but they were surprisingly battered by the same team that sent England home.



"La Gloria" by Gotan Project


The Gotan Project successfully introduce and wed the world of folk music to the electronic. This track is from their newest album Tango 3.0 (2010). (I recommend watching their official video here for some fun dancing.) "La Gloria" features the voice of Victor Hugo Morales, the Argentinian football commentator, and the track even manipulates his voice to say "GOOOOOOOOTAN!" rather than "GOOOOOOAL!" In this particular setting, the change may be appropriate.


Paraguay

In one of the least surprising defeats this weekend, Paraguay lost to Spain. As Paraguay are sent home, we are left with one more South American country for our musical tribute.



"A Mi Tierra" by Luis Alberto del Paraná

For Paraguay's tribute, we're going to go old school with Luis Alberto del Paraná who was big in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He traveled extensively bringing recognition to Paraguayan music. He is one of the most famous Paraguayan musicians.