Yoohoo! Remember me? The person who used to post regularly about world music?
Well, I'm finally back...sort of.
Staying true to my habit of telling people stories they really don't care about, I'll tell you why I disappeared. I had been hoping to connect the blog to my course Introduction to World Music, sharing videos/audio related to weekly topics in the course. But the course didn't run and I kind of gave up to focus on the blog that I get paid to write (Songlines in case you haven't checked that one out yet).
However, here I am again, mainly to encourage anyone even remotely interested to head on over to the Mary Ward Centre website and sign up for the next term of my Introduction to World Music course. It starts in April and is going to be great fun! (Please email me if you'd like any more information about the course)
In the meantime, I will try my best to post regularly with some good music and who knows, maybe some actual writing.
And so I leave you with this, my current favourite video (apologies for the explicit language, but it's a good track):
Balkan Beat Box (BBB) – 'Political F*ck'
Showing posts with label Balkan Beat Box. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Balkan Beat Box. Show all posts
Monday, 6 February 2012
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
This Week's Picks #50
I am finally home after one of the longest weekends of my life – Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Now, to be fair, I'm not the biggest folk fan, but I do enjoy a few good bands. However, this weekend was not only complete with freezing cold, rain and blow away tents but also chock-full of tin whistle workshops at 8am, bagpipe workshops at 8am, more Morris dancing than you know what to do with and the most miserable punters you've ever met. To be fair, Shrewsbury is a great festival...for those that LOVE folk. It's on a beautiful site, has great sound, and full of interesting workshops and dancing. And the punters do love their folk and make you feel like you're selling a dirty magazine if it's filled with *gasp* world music.
Therefore in protest to this weekend, please enjoy this week's picks inspired by folk – as in this is as opposite of English folk as it gets.
"Secret Agent" - Tony Allen
Throw out the clogs and bring out the booty! This famous Nigerian drummer/singer-songwriter knows how to get down and doesn't spend time crying about the 'good old days'.
"Ina Mina Dika" - Goldspot
The Bollywood classic gets an indie remake by the American band Goldspot. Originally sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, this remake was recently heard in the film Today's Special.
"Blue Eyed Black Boy" - Balkan Beat Box
I've featured these guys a few times, but I really do like them that much. This is the title track from their latest album and you won't see any of those folkies jamming out to it.
How many folkies does it take to change a lightbulb? Two. One to change the bulb and one to write about how good the old one was.
Therefore in protest to this weekend, please enjoy this week's picks inspired by folk – as in this is as opposite of English folk as it gets.
"Secret Agent" - Tony Allen
Throw out the clogs and bring out the booty! This famous Nigerian drummer/singer-songwriter knows how to get down and doesn't spend time crying about the 'good old days'.
"Ina Mina Dika" - Goldspot
The Bollywood classic gets an indie remake by the American band Goldspot. Originally sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, this remake was recently heard in the film Today's Special.
"Blue Eyed Black Boy" - Balkan Beat Box
I've featured these guys a few times, but I really do like them that much. This is the title track from their latest album and you won't see any of those folkies jamming out to it.
How many folkies does it take to change a lightbulb? Two. One to change the bulb and one to write about how good the old one was.
Monday, 4 April 2011
This Week's Picks (#37)
I hope you enjoy this week's picks!
"Ndakuvara"- Oliver Mtukudzi
Oliver Mtukudzi is a Zimbabwean guitarist. He started began playing in the band Wagon Wheels with Thomas Mapfumo. He has since struck a name for himself, recording 59 albums. Though he was not as politically outspoken as Mapfumo, this particular track was directed at the Zimbabwe's president Mugabe, and the political violence organised by his party.
"Gypsy Part of Town" - J.U.F.
I can't help myself. I love this stuff. I have featured the band, Balkan Beat Box several times, but this is the collaboration of Gorgol Bordello and BBB. J.U.F. stands for Jüdisch-Ukrainische Freundschaft inspired by German industrial band Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft, who got their name from the GDR state organization Deutsch-Sowjetische Freundschaft (German-Soviet Friendship).
"Eddeaa" - Abjeez
These guys not only make some fun music, but fun videos! Abjee is Persian for "sister" as the two main singers Safoura and Melody Safavi are sisters. Abjeez is a "Persian world-pop" band, as they've deemed themselves, and write songs with often humorous lyrics and a lot of fun to listen to and watch.
"Ndakuvara"- Oliver Mtukudzi
Oliver Mtukudzi is a Zimbabwean guitarist. He started began playing in the band Wagon Wheels with Thomas Mapfumo. He has since struck a name for himself, recording 59 albums. Though he was not as politically outspoken as Mapfumo, this particular track was directed at the Zimbabwe's president Mugabe, and the political violence organised by his party.
"Gypsy Part of Town" - J.U.F.
I can't help myself. I love this stuff. I have featured the band, Balkan Beat Box several times, but this is the collaboration of Gorgol Bordello and BBB. J.U.F. stands for Jüdisch-Ukrainische Freundschaft inspired by German industrial band Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft, who got their name from the GDR state organization Deutsch-Sowjetische Freundschaft (German-Soviet Friendship).
"Eddeaa" - Abjeez
These guys not only make some fun music, but fun videos! Abjee is Persian for "sister" as the two main singers Safoura and Melody Safavi are sisters. Abjeez is a "Persian world-pop" band, as they've deemed themselves, and write songs with often humorous lyrics and a lot of fun to listen to and watch.
Monday, 6 September 2010
This Week's Picks (#14): My Favorites (continued)
Last week, I realized I had not yet featured some of my all time favorite music. This week I'm showcasing a few more of my all-time favorite tracks. Please enjoy!
"La Bush Resistance" by Balkan Beat Box
I know I've already featured these guys in my very first "This Week's Picks" but I just love these guys so much. This track, from their self-titled album, is not only a great one for their ability to update Balkan sounds, but for the lyrics. "Bring the dance and leave the guns." It's a great philosophy.
"Ja Fun Mi" by King Sunny Ade
I blame my obsession with world music on this man. When I was seven I came across his album, E Dide, and asked my mom to buy it. I got it and could not stop listening to it. How many seven year olds jam out to Nigerian pop music? While I couldn't find E Dide on YouTube, here's another great track from a great artist.
"Tabla Toy" by Beats Antique
Picking just one song from this trio was difficult. Like most of the other artists feature this week and last, I love just about every song they've ever made. One of the trio is a dancer, dancing during their live shows, therefore, every song has a great beat or deliciously slow melody to snake along to. While this video does not feature any dancing, I highly recommend checking out some other videos that do, like this one.
"La Bush Resistance" by Balkan Beat Box
I know I've already featured these guys in my very first "This Week's Picks" but I just love these guys so much. This track, from their self-titled album, is not only a great one for their ability to update Balkan sounds, but for the lyrics. "Bring the dance and leave the guns." It's a great philosophy.
"Ja Fun Mi" by King Sunny Ade
I blame my obsession with world music on this man. When I was seven I came across his album, E Dide, and asked my mom to buy it. I got it and could not stop listening to it. How many seven year olds jam out to Nigerian pop music? While I couldn't find E Dide on YouTube, here's another great track from a great artist.
"Tabla Toy" by Beats Antique
Picking just one song from this trio was difficult. Like most of the other artists feature this week and last, I love just about every song they've ever made. One of the trio is a dancer, dancing during their live shows, therefore, every song has a great beat or deliciously slow melody to snake along to. While this video does not feature any dancing, I highly recommend checking out some other videos that do, like this one.
Monday, 17 May 2010
This Week's Picks (#1)
Deciding upon the very first tracks for our "This Week's Picks" series was not an easy task. These had to be really good. After much soul searching, we've decided upon our three tracks that I am sure will not disappoint. Without further adieu, I would like introduce our top three picks for our series premiere.
"Masimango" by Mbaraka Mwinshehe and Moro Jazz Band
I recently traveled to Zanzibar, Tanzania and came across a small shop with a shelf of local music. I came away with a few selections, but this album Tanzania Dance Music ended up being the real treasure. This track my favorite off the album, however the whole album is fantastic. The distinct guitar style makes it easy to understand why Mbaraka was often called the Franco of Tanzania. The big band sound urges you to your feet, and the vocals provide the unmistakable East African flavor. This truly is dance music.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)
"El Negro Estan Cocinando" by Los Van Van
Los Van Van was my introduction to Cuban music. With the recent attention they've been receiving after their long awaited return to the USA for a tour this past winter, it only seems appropriate that they appear in the premiere of NP's picks. This live performance of "El Negro" is a prime example of their energy and groove. It is impossible to stay still when listening to this track. Formed in 1969, Los Van Van have been reshaping salsa music for forty years. Their recent return to Miami drew no protesters (unlike their performance 10 years before) and heralds better times for Cuban musicians in the States.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)
"Sundary Arak" by Balkan Beat Box
I can't help but love this track. While I may be slightly bias and love anything I've ever heard by this group, this instrumental track really grooves. Based in Brooklyn with a sound and background that crosses several borders, this group successfully mixes world music with pop, hip-hop, and rock. The horns in this track kick in over a grooving pulse, and get down and dirty with some gooey, irresistible lines. Balkan Beat Box is able to convincingly give a modern twist on the Balkan melodies without losing the spice like many modernizing attempts.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)
"Masimango" by Mbaraka Mwinshehe and Moro Jazz Band
I recently traveled to Zanzibar, Tanzania and came across a small shop with a shelf of local music. I came away with a few selections, but this album Tanzania Dance Music ended up being the real treasure. This track my favorite off the album, however the whole album is fantastic. The distinct guitar style makes it easy to understand why Mbaraka was often called the Franco of Tanzania. The big band sound urges you to your feet, and the vocals provide the unmistakable East African flavor. This truly is dance music.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)
"El Negro Estan Cocinando" by Los Van Van
Los Van Van was my introduction to Cuban music. With the recent attention they've been receiving after their long awaited return to the USA for a tour this past winter, it only seems appropriate that they appear in the premiere of NP's picks. This live performance of "El Negro" is a prime example of their energy and groove. It is impossible to stay still when listening to this track. Formed in 1969, Los Van Van have been reshaping salsa music for forty years. Their recent return to Miami drew no protesters (unlike their performance 10 years before) and heralds better times for Cuban musicians in the States.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)
"Sundary Arak" by Balkan Beat Box
I can't help but love this track. While I may be slightly bias and love anything I've ever heard by this group, this instrumental track really grooves. Based in Brooklyn with a sound and background that crosses several borders, this group successfully mixes world music with pop, hip-hop, and rock. The horns in this track kick in over a grooving pulse, and get down and dirty with some gooey, irresistible lines. Balkan Beat Box is able to convincingly give a modern twist on the Balkan melodies without losing the spice like many modernizing attempts.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)