Showing posts with label Mali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mali. Show all posts

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Wednesday's Reader Picks

Well, there were no suggestions this week, so I'll post this beautiful video of the Malian songbird Fatoumata Diawara tweeted this afternoon by @SonglinesMag.

The track is 'Kanou' from Fatoumata's debut album (out 19 September). There is some really beautiful movement and cinematography in this video that makes me love the track even more. 

Monday, 11 April 2011

This Week's Picks (#38)

Wow, I just realized I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary! Just over a month to go. Exciting! In the mean time, I hope you enjoy this week's picks.


"O Ou Ni Sou" - Rokia Traoré


This track is from Rokia Traoré's killer album, Tchamantché released in 2008. This album was recently picked by Songlines magazine as one of their top 75 albums. This relaxed track makes it obvious why this album was chosen. A soft steel drum in the background perfectly accompanies Rokia's sophisticated voice. While this is definitely a contemporary sound, it is wonderfully and distinctly African at the same time.


"Lemba" - Muntu Valdo


I have spent a lot of time listening to and loving Muntu's music. This track is from his new album The One & The Many (out today!) but the video is of live performance, which is where Muntu shines. Using an elaborate pedal board, he pulls off an impressive one-man-band sound, playing everything himself. 


"Many Things" - Seun Kuti and Egypt 80


In tribute to the concert I will be missing on Wednesday, here's some funk from Seun Kuti, Fela Kuti's youngest son. Seun just released his newest album From Africa With Fury: Rise and is touring. On Wednesday he and the Egypt 80 will be performing at the Royal Festival Hall and I will sadly miss the show. It should be a great one, and if you go, please write a review and let me know how it was. This track however, is from an older album Many Things.


Enjoy these? Have some tracks you'd like to share? Let me know via Twitter and I'll post it on Wednesday's Reader Picks!

Wednesday, 9 February 2011

Wednesday's Reader Picks

This week's suggestion comes from reader Sarah. Enjoy!

Aicha! - Tamikrest


Touareg blues, similar to Tinariwen, from Tamikrest's debut album.

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

This Week's Picks (#30)

Before I go on to post the picks for this week, lets just pause and celebrate my 100th post! Whoo hoo!
Happy 100!

And now for this week's picks. Enjoy!

"Djon Maya" - Victor Démé


Démé inherited his music from his griot mother who gave him his outstanding voice. I really love his bluesy guitar and melancholy voice. From Burkina Faso, Démé has only recently released his internationally available albums and slowly gaining the fame he deserves.


"Mariama Kaba" - Boubacar Traoré


Apparently in a bluesy mood today, I've chosen another great African blues artist. I absolutely love this track. Boubacar is a fantastic Malian guitarist, whose unfortunate nickname "Kar Kar" means "one who dribbles too much". This track is from his first album, Mariama produced in France shortly after his wife died.

Sunday, 2 January 2011

Top of the Charts

Happy New Year! Here's to a wonderful 2011!

Here's a glimpse at the World Music charts that will begin the new year. (The charts are from the Official World Chart website).


#1. AFROCUBISM - AFROCUBISM  (World Circut)

#2. RODRIGO Y GABRIELA - 11:11:00 (Ruby Works)



#3. CHEIKH LO - JAMM (World Circut)


#4. ALI FARKA TOURE & TOUMANI DIABATE - ALI FARKA TOURE & TOUMANI DIABATE (World Circut)



#5. AMADOU & MARIAM - WELCOME TO MALI (Because Music)


#6. AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM - CAPTURE (1995-2010) (Real World)


#7. RAVI SHANKAR & GEORGE HARRISON - COLLABORATION (Rhino)


#8. RODRIGO Y GABRIELA - LIVE IN JAPAN (Ruby Works)


#9. GEOFFREY GURRUMUL YUNUPINGU - GURRUMUL (Dramatico/Skinnyfish)


#10. SOUAD MASSI - O HOURIA (LIBERTY) (Wrasse)


I wish you all a wonderful new year!

Saturday, 12 June 2010

World Cup Concert

Thursday night's World Cup Concert featured some amazing artists in the world music scene. Below are some videos from the concert in case you missed it.

Tinariwen (Algeria/Libya)

(A reader reviewed this group in this post)


Angelique Kidjo (Benin)



Amadou & Mariam (Mali)
"Africa" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCA7PTgjLtY (Embedding is disabled)
"Welcome to Mali" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16WHwEXGAUs (Embedding is disabled)


BLK JKS (South Africa)
 


Vieux Farka Toure (Mali)
"Diaraby Magni" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8elU2T2W6A  (Embedding is disabled)
"Fafa" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV90LgJ7_RM (Embedding is disabled)


Hugh Masekela and LIRA (South Africa)



Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa)

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Wednesday's Reader Picks

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.

"Imazeghen N Adagh" by Tinariwen

This track is from the recently released album, "Imidiwan: Companions." The group started slowly forming in the 1970s as young Touareg men in Algeria and Libya with a passion for music began performing together, gaining a reputation by 1979 as the Kel Tinariwen, or "Desert Boys." This particular album fuses field and digital recordings together into what becomes a beautiful version of the Desert Blues. This group mixes their influencesMalian refugees in North Africa who finally return to Mali in the 90s to create a distinct Touareg sound.
(Submitted by joann3737)


How do I get my review posted?
Send the review you've written and a link to the track on YouTube to nomadsplaylist@hotmail.com. Please include the name you would like us to use as the author of the review (it can be your full name, first name, or user name). We will post up to three tracks in a given week.

I have a great track I would like to share, but I don't want to write a review. Can I still share it?
Of course! Please send us an email with a link to the track on YouTube and we might include the track in our "This Week's Picks" series.

Monday, 31 May 2010

This Week's Picks (#3)

Please enjoy this week's picks and don't forget to check out the constantly updating Map feature!

"Au Grand Jamais" by Bensé


This track is from Bensé's self-titled album, released in 2009. He is a celebrated French artist who has the tendency to walk away from the beaten path of his contemporaries who believe music should be all too serious and profound. With "Au Grand Jamais," Bensé delivers a melodic, delightful and unashamedly light hearted tune that brings a smile to your face. The lyrics are sweet and befit the mood Bensé successfully creates—a happy-go-lucky environment without a care in the world. 
(Reviewed by Rafi)


"Kabhi Kabhie" by Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh

This duet is the title track from the 1976 movie "Kabhi Kabhie" (Love is Life). The movie is a love story that spans two generations. It tells a story of a poet and his love that cannot be. The song echos the themes of the storyline in that it speaks to lost loves, repentance, and forgiveness. In its purest form, the lyrics could be best described as poetry. The words were written for the single purpose of captivating the audience's hearts and minds to the main protagonists of the film. The basuri and drums typify the beauty and gentleness of Bollywood music in that era. The song is rounded up by Lata's distinct voice that adds a touch of majesty and gravitas to the slow rhythmic beat of the song.
(Reviewed by Rafi)

"Sabu Yerkoy" by Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabate 

This track is from the recently released and long awaited album, Ali and Toumani. It was the last album this Malian duo recorded before Ali Farka Touré passed away. Ali Farka Touré is a world renown blues guitarist/singer and Toumani Diabate is an equally well-known musician and kora player. This duo successfully blends their sounds into a soothing and beautifully interlocking tune. The soft vocals and engaging, yet subtle, rhythms draw the listener deeper into the song. Closing your eyes, it is easy to imagine yourself transported to steaming, sunny day in Mali.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)