This week reader Discobethan introduces us to some fantastic Latvian music. Enjoy!
"Likais" - Auli
The group Auļi take the deep musical heritage of their native Latvia and push the possibilities of using only drums and bagpipes to make amazing, loud, rhythmic music, blurring the lines between world and folk, between traditional and contemporary. It's part of the redefining of indigenous Latvian culture in the post-Soviet republic, after centuries of occupation.
Live, they're astonishing. Raw power and energy fills the room and infects everyone with sound and rhythm. Their music slips between definitions yet appeals to many, and they've played at darkwave, metal, medieval and folk festivals. It's world in the best sense - a group of passionate people bringing their culture to the global stage in a new way while never losing sight of what makes them unique. Their pulsing sounds infuse ancient music with modern, vital life.
The group formed in 2003 with nine Latvian men and one Estonian woman, who play drums, bagpipes and stringed instrument called a giga. The bagpipes are traditional to the Baltics, part of the great European-wide pipe culture. Historical records talk about drum and bagpipe troupes but no music has survived. So the group takes traditional melodies and plays with them as well as composing original pieces. In Latvian the word 'auļi' has two meanings: 'gallop', representing the rhythm of drums; and 'beehives on the tree' - the sound of drones. Auļi has released three critically-acclaimed albums and the latest, Etnotranss (Ethnotrance) won Best Folk Music Album 2010 at the Latvian Music Awards as well as the 2010 Folklore Award for 'Creativity based in traditional culture'.
(Written by Discobethan)
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
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!
"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, 6 April 2011
Wednesday's Reader Picks
This week's reader picks are coming at ya from DJ Socrates. Enjoy!
"Knyon Mun Sok Jet Te" - Cambodian Space Project
Cambodian Space Project was co-founded by Srey Chanthy and Julien Poulson and offers some great Cambodian music! This track is a cover of the hit by Pan Ron, who we've also featured.
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.
"Knyon Mun Sok Jet Te" - Cambodian Space Project
Cambodian Space Project was co-founded by Srey Chanthy and Julien Poulson and offers some great Cambodian music! This track is a cover of the hit by Pan Ron, who we've also featured.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Wednesday's Reader Picks
I know I know. I didn't get to the "This Week's Picks" on Monday. Sorry. I have been overwhelmed by work...but I'm sure you don't care. But... I promise to make it up to you today!
This week's Reader Pick comes from BelindaJ75 and I'm really loving it! Maybe, I'm just in the right mood for this, but this track SO hits the spot today! So...please enjoy!
"Codine" by Jason Isbell and the 4000 Unit
This is a track from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's yet-to-be-released album, Here We Rest. The album releases on April 12, 2011. Jason Isbell hails from northern Alabama, which was hit hard in the recent economic downturn. “The mood here [on Here We Rest] has darkened considerably,” says Jason.
This week's Reader Pick comes from BelindaJ75 and I'm really loving it! Maybe, I'm just in the right mood for this, but this track SO hits the spot today! So...please enjoy!
"Codine" by Jason Isbell and the 4000 Unit
This is a track from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's yet-to-be-released album, Here We Rest. The album releases on April 12, 2011. Jason Isbell hails from northern Alabama, which was hit hard in the recent economic downturn. “The mood here [on Here We Rest] has darkened considerably,” says Jason.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
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.
And come on readers! I'm sick of hearing my own picks!!
How do I get my review posted?
Send the review you've written and a link to the track on YouTube to our email. 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.
And come on readers! I'm sick of hearing my own picks!!
How do I get my review posted?
Send the review you've written and a link to the track on YouTube to our email. 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.
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| What are you listening to? |
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
This Week's Picks (#36)
I was listening through the "Life of Songlines in 75 albums" playlist today and one of the tracks was from Cedric Watson's self-titled album. I love this track and it put me in a real zydeco mood. So I hope you enjoy this week's Creole picks!
"Zydeco Sont Pas Salés" - Clifton Chenier
Considered the "King of Zydeco", Chenier invented the vest frottoir (the famous zydeco washboard vest) in 1946. Using the washboard and usually a push-button accordion, zydeco has a distinct sound and is Creole music from southern Louisiana and Texas. It was Chenier who toured and brought zydeco to the rest of the world.
"Paper in My Shoe" - Boozoo Chavis
Another zydeco great, Boozoo Chavis is credited with writing many of the zydeco standards. This particular track is the song that made him famous. While Clifton Chenier may be "considered" the King of Zydeco, Boozoo was officially crowned the King of Zydeco in New Orleans in the 1990s.
Cedric Watson Live
This is the artist from the Songlines' playlist that got me grooving to zydeco today. Unfortunately there don't seem to be very many descent videos of him up on YouTube. So, we'll have to settle with this one. But there is a great recording of "Cedric Zydeco" on the Songlines' playlist, so definitely go check that out. While he is an accordionist, vocalist, and songwriter, he is making a name for himself as a reviver of the old Creole fiddling styles of Canray Fontenot and Bebe Carrier. Lots of energy and fun to listen to, Watson is the future of zydeco.
"Zydeco Sont Pas Salés" - Clifton Chenier
Considered the "King of Zydeco", Chenier invented the vest frottoir (the famous zydeco washboard vest) in 1946. Using the washboard and usually a push-button accordion, zydeco has a distinct sound and is Creole music from southern Louisiana and Texas. It was Chenier who toured and brought zydeco to the rest of the world.
"Paper in My Shoe" - Boozoo Chavis
Another zydeco great, Boozoo Chavis is credited with writing many of the zydeco standards. This particular track is the song that made him famous. While Clifton Chenier may be "considered" the King of Zydeco, Boozoo was officially crowned the King of Zydeco in New Orleans in the 1990s.
Cedric Watson Live
This is the artist from the Songlines' playlist that got me grooving to zydeco today. Unfortunately there don't seem to be very many descent videos of him up on YouTube. So, we'll have to settle with this one. But there is a great recording of "Cedric Zydeco" on the Songlines' playlist, so definitely go check that out. While he is an accordionist, vocalist, and songwriter, he is making a name for himself as a reviver of the old Creole fiddling styles of Canray Fontenot and Bebe Carrier. Lots of energy and fun to listen to, Watson is the future of zydeco.
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