This Week's Picks (#24)

The next several series of This Week's Picks are inspired by an often overlooked important aspect of music: the visual. Music is almost always accompanied by costumes, dress, dance, makeup, and/or theatre. The visual can be as simple as a pair of shades on a blues singer or as elaborate as the grand performances of Japanese kabuki theatre.

Last week, we featured theatrical music. This week, our picks will focus on dance from around the world. Please enjoy!

Spanish Flamenco


I cannot help but start with one of my favorite dances. This is not only my some of my favorite music to listen to, but my favorite to watch in action. Flamenco is thought of as three separate parts- the song, the dance and the guitar. When they come together, you experience raw emotion in both the visual and aural senses. Originating in Southern Spain, it has become a cultural symbol of the entire country. The dance is known for it's emotional intensity, power of expression and proud stature.


Lezginka from the Caucasus


Having seen the Azerbaijani version of this dance last year, I have been enthralled ever since. This video is of the men's dance which is far more energetic and, frankly, more entertaining than the female counterpoint. The men spin, twirl and jump in athletic displays that are fun to watch. The women dance gracefully in elaborate costumes, appearing to float across the floor.


South African Gum Boot Dance


This dance is different in that the musical accompaniment comes from the dance itself. It is a dance performed by dancers wearing gum boots who rhythmically stomp, clap, and slap. The dance was created by gold mine workers in South Africa who were banned from speaking to each other. The dance was not only a means of communication, but a way to keep their spirits alive during the terrible years of the apartheid. It has since evolved into an art form.


Please keep in mind that there are many, many dances and I can only feature a choice few in my series. If I've missed something that you enjoy, please leave a comment below with links to any videos you can find for everyone to enjoy!

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)

This Week's Picks (#4) World Cup Ed.

 This weeks' music picks are inspired by the anticipated start of the World Cup in South Africa. South Africa is known for its music and to pick only three tracks to represent South Africa was not an easy task. This small selection cannot represent the variety of sounds coming from this beautiful country. None the less, please enjoy our selections for this week.

"Khawuleza" by Miriam Makeba


It is impossible to talk about South African music without mentioning Miriam Makeba. She was a singer and civil rights activist caught up in apartheid South Africa. She came to be known as the voice of Africa, earning herself the endearing title of Mama Afrika. As Miriam explains in the video, this song is based on the phrase "Khawuleza" meaning "hurry." It is a plea for Mama to hurry away from the police coming to raid the house for one thing or another. It is a painfully beautiful song that serves to remind us of the terrors of the apartheid.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


"Sdudla" by TKZee


TKZee is South Africa's popular kwaito group. Kwaito is a genre of music developed in Johannesburg in the 1990s. It is a mix of house, hip-hop, rap, and African elements. Kwaito is the first music completely controlled by blacks in South Africa. So whilst like hip-hop and rap, kwaito has come to be identified with the uneducated, lower classes, it has also been an inspiration in post-apartheid South Africa. This particular song features a video of a child leading a movement of people who just can't help but join and dance. When listening, it's easy to find yourself bopping to the beat and eager to join this symbolic parade of peaceful dance and song.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)


"Fire is Low" by Freshlyground


Freshlyground is a South African band that collaborated with Shakira to write the World Cup 2010 Anthem, "Waka Waka." (You can hear the track here.) While "Waka Waka" is too commercially produced to do Freshlyground justice, this track is a better example of their excellence. The song features sweet lyrics-- "Be like the swallows, remember home as a loving tree..." The group demonstrates it's indie leanings in this song, but it remains a distinct style with a hint of blues, jazz, and African folk influences.
(Reviewed by Alexandra)

If you enjoyed some of this music, check out Putumayo's newly released CD also inspired by the upcoming World Cup.