Today's recommendation comes from our reader, Muhummad. Please enjoy!
"Candela" by Buena Vista Social Club
I know, I'm surprised too! I can't believe we haven't featured these guys yet. This all-time favorite Cuban band is internationally famous, and for good reason! Formed in the 1990s, the group named after a members dance and music club in Havana have found their success by playing Cuban and Latin American grooves.
Do you have a track you'd like to post for our "Wednesday's Reader Pick" series? We'd love to hear it! Click here for more information on submitting material to NP.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
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.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Wednesday's Reader Picks
This week's pick comes as a suggestion from the reader Rafi. Enjoy!
"Quelqu'un m'a dit" by Carla Bruni
Bruni is an Italian-born French singer. She is also married to the president of France, Sarkozy and is the first lady of France.
"Quelqu'un m'a dit" by Carla Bruni
Bruni is an Italian-born French singer. She is also married to the president of France, Sarkozy and is the first lady of France.
Monday, 30 August 2010
This Week's Picks (#13): My Favorites
Striving to not only bring my readers new music, but introduce myself to new music, I've realized that my "This Week's Picks" have ignored some of my absolute favorite tracks. So please enjoy this week's picks.
"In the Shadow of Life" by Niyaz
I think I have a girl crush on Azam Ali. She is quite the versatile musician perusing a solo career as well as selling some top albums with the groups Niyaz and Vas. I'm not sure there's a track Niyaz has performed that I don't like. Ali was born in Iran, grew up in India and eventually ended up in Los Angles. She brings all of these influences into her music and that is what keeps her music so fascinating. This track is from their first album, Niyaz (2005). There is something about the sounds in this piece that strike some chord deep within me. Normally, Niyaz is quite upbeat and rhythmic (for example, click here), but this track is a diversion from that and is one of their best tracks.
"Tala Sawari" by Ravi Shankar
Everyone knows and loves Ravi Shankar, but I can't help but name him as one of my favorites. I, like many others, easily became captured by the sounds of the sitar and have vivid memories of relaxing as a kid in my room to this album. One of my first CDs was the Beatles' St Peppers Lonely Hearts Club band, that featured the track "Within or without you," which was my introduction to the sitar. I fell in love with the instrument, and shortly afterward, fell in love with the name that has been immortally connected to it: Ravi Shankar.
"Mutoto Kwanza" by Angelique Kidjo
I've already featured Angelique Kidjo while covering this year's World Cup concert, but she's deserves another track. I love this woman, and so does almost everyone else. She's one of the biggest female names to come from Africa since Miriam Makeba. This track is from her album Oyaya! (2004), my first album of Kidjo. I have since collected most of her albums as I love her energy and most of all her voice!
Stay tuned for next week, where I finish my last pick of personal all-time favorites. In the meantime, send me yours!
"In the Shadow of Life" by Niyaz
I think I have a girl crush on Azam Ali. She is quite the versatile musician perusing a solo career as well as selling some top albums with the groups Niyaz and Vas. I'm not sure there's a track Niyaz has performed that I don't like. Ali was born in Iran, grew up in India and eventually ended up in Los Angles. She brings all of these influences into her music and that is what keeps her music so fascinating. This track is from their first album, Niyaz (2005). There is something about the sounds in this piece that strike some chord deep within me. Normally, Niyaz is quite upbeat and rhythmic (for example, click here), but this track is a diversion from that and is one of their best tracks.
"Tala Sawari" by Ravi Shankar
Everyone knows and loves Ravi Shankar, but I can't help but name him as one of my favorites. I, like many others, easily became captured by the sounds of the sitar and have vivid memories of relaxing as a kid in my room to this album. One of my first CDs was the Beatles' St Peppers Lonely Hearts Club band, that featured the track "Within or without you," which was my introduction to the sitar. I fell in love with the instrument, and shortly afterward, fell in love with the name that has been immortally connected to it: Ravi Shankar.
"Mutoto Kwanza" by Angelique Kidjo
I've already featured Angelique Kidjo while covering this year's World Cup concert, but she's deserves another track. I love this woman, and so does almost everyone else. She's one of the biggest female names to come from Africa since Miriam Makeba. This track is from her album Oyaya! (2004), my first album of Kidjo. I have since collected most of her albums as I love her energy and most of all her voice!
Stay tuned for next week, where I finish my last pick of personal all-time favorites. In the meantime, send me yours!
Monday, 23 August 2010
This Week's Picks (#12)
Please enjoy this week's picks in which we share with you our favorite tracks for the week.
"Naftule attitude 2 (Naftaley's freylekh)" by Yom
This track is from 2008 album, The New King of Klezmer Clarinet. It certainly takes no stretch of the imagination to see why Yom has been dubbed the king of American Klezmer. At the risk of offending all my clarinet friends, I admit that I'm not a fan of classical clarinet, but throw it into the mix in some Mediterranean music, and I am loving it. This piece may be on the short side, but it is about all you can take before you explode from clarinet awesomeness.
"Do Not Love Too Long" by The Abramson Singers
Now here is something you don't hear too often, Canadian folk. The Abramson Singers, from Toronto, formed after Leah Abramson, singer/songwriter, had to stop playing the guitar due to tendentious. Rather than give up music, she wrote a cappella and thus the Abramson Singers were formed. The Abramson Singers are able to beautifully weave vocal melodies together is a mix of folk and indie.
"Red Wine" by Bibi Tanga and The Selenites
Bibi Tanga grew up in Paris as an immigrant from the Central African Republic. Tanga takes his influences from jazz, afro-beat, and funk. Sporting a distinct retro-chic look, Tanga and The Selenites mix this influences together and are able to produce a sound that remains cool and has got just the right groove.
"Naftule attitude 2 (Naftaley's freylekh)" by Yom
This track is from 2008 album, The New King of Klezmer Clarinet. It certainly takes no stretch of the imagination to see why Yom has been dubbed the king of American Klezmer. At the risk of offending all my clarinet friends, I admit that I'm not a fan of classical clarinet, but throw it into the mix in some Mediterranean music, and I am loving it. This piece may be on the short side, but it is about all you can take before you explode from clarinet awesomeness.
"Do Not Love Too Long" by The Abramson Singers
Now here is something you don't hear too often, Canadian folk. The Abramson Singers, from Toronto, formed after Leah Abramson, singer/songwriter, had to stop playing the guitar due to tendentious. Rather than give up music, she wrote a cappella and thus the Abramson Singers were formed. The Abramson Singers are able to beautifully weave vocal melodies together is a mix of folk and indie.
"Red Wine" by Bibi Tanga and The Selenites
Bibi Tanga grew up in Paris as an immigrant from the Central African Republic. Tanga takes his influences from jazz, afro-beat, and funk. Sporting a distinct retro-chic look, Tanga and The Selenites mix this influences together and are able to produce a sound that remains cool and has got just the right groove.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
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.
Click Here for more details on submitting material to Nomad's Playlist.
- 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.
Monday, 16 August 2010
This Week's Picks (#11)
Please enjoy this week's picks!
"Diaphanes" by Dhafer Youssef
Youssef grew up in Tunisia and at a young age made his first oud out of whatever he could find lying around -- cans, bicycle spokes, fishing net. That young oud player, with his homemade oud, has grown up into a magnificent player. Playing music that captures your attention like only the oud can, Youssef performs music best for contemplation or meditation. The soft melodies are relaxing, and yet provoke introspection and reflection. This track is from his 2003 album, Digital Prophecy.
"Asfalt Tango" by Fanfare Ciocarlia
To wake you up after the calming tack by Youssef, here's something a little more exciting. Fanfare Ciocarlia is a gypsy brass band from Northern Romania. This track is from their 1999 release, Baro Biao. This track is a perfect example of the Balkan groove and should at the very least get your foot tapping.
"Africans" by Nneka
Nneka is a Nigerian-German hip hop singer who sings in either English or Igbo. She grew up in Nigeria, but started her music career after moving to Germany when she was 18. This track was released on her 2005 album, Victim of Truth and asks Africans to wake up and stop blaming.
"Diaphanes" by Dhafer Youssef
Youssef grew up in Tunisia and at a young age made his first oud out of whatever he could find lying around -- cans, bicycle spokes, fishing net. That young oud player, with his homemade oud, has grown up into a magnificent player. Playing music that captures your attention like only the oud can, Youssef performs music best for contemplation or meditation. The soft melodies are relaxing, and yet provoke introspection and reflection. This track is from his 2003 album, Digital Prophecy.
"Asfalt Tango" by Fanfare Ciocarlia
To wake you up after the calming tack by Youssef, here's something a little more exciting. Fanfare Ciocarlia is a gypsy brass band from Northern Romania. This track is from their 1999 release, Baro Biao. This track is a perfect example of the Balkan groove and should at the very least get your foot tapping.
"Africans" by Nneka
Nneka is a Nigerian-German hip hop singer who sings in either English or Igbo. She grew up in Nigeria, but started her music career after moving to Germany when she was 18. This track was released on her 2005 album, Victim of Truth and asks Africans to wake up and stop blaming.
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