It seems the one place in the world where the dreaded term “World Music” is doing well is Russia, though my friends at Xango Music Distribution do a stellar job of selling some amazing artifacts. This project, Staritsa, hail from Prokhorovka, near the dead center of the country. They, like Continue Reading
World Music
ShooDja-ChoDja – Shooldyrak
Our beloved comrade in World Music, Christian Pliefke, releases another gem on his label CPL Music. This new release by the band ShooDja-ChoDja from comes from the region of Udmurtia, populated by people of Finno-Ugric stock, and having traditions far different from their fellow Russian citizens. The music is played on Continue Reading
Damir Imamović’s Sevdah Takht – Dvojka
It is a shame to think that when the words Bosnia, Herzegovina or Sarajevo are mentioned, most think only of the ugly breakup of the former Yugoslavia. It’s a crime, as the country, and especially her capital, have so much to offer. The people, the food, the incredible culture, so Continue Reading
Alostmen – Kologo
Ghanian band Alostmen are bursting with energy and come with a sound mixing highlife with a guitar style that reminds me, slightly, of Tuareg playing one could hear with bands like Tinariwen. From the band’s website: Formed by Stevo Atambire and produced by Wanlov (Fok’n Bois) and Percy Yip Tong, Continue Reading
Various Artists: Canary Records: The Dull Hatchet: Late 1940s Lemko Instrumentals in Brooklyn NY
Canary Records is one of the best independent labels specializing in archival recordings. This batch comes from Lemko immigrants, who hail from the Carpathian Mountains, and it documents some of the tunes they brought with them to the United States.
[Promo] Sahel Sounds Label Sampler 3
From Sahel Sounds: We are excited to share with you our latest Name Your Price sampler, Sahel Sounds Label Sampler 3. This year’s features a mix of tracks from recent releases by the likes of Wau Wau Collectif and Tidiane Thiam, some deep cuts from our Agrim Agadez and Balani Show Super Hits compilations, fan favorites from Continue Reading
Marcos Resende & Index – Marcos Resende & Index
This album is a sort of ‘holy grail’ for Brazilian jazz. From Marcos Resende’s Bandcamp site: Beyond their highly sought after 1978 album Festa Para Um Novo Rei – home to the mystical jazz-funk classic ‘Vidigal’ and released on Philips’ iconic Musica Popular Brasileira Contemporanea series (MPBC) – little is Continue Reading
Various Artists – Dust-To-Digital Records: Excavated Shellac: An Alternate History of the World’s Music
This is a magnificent compilation of archival material. Dust-To-Digital has made a business out of release gorgeous archival recordings. Take for example the incredible collection called Music of Morocco, compiled by Paul Bowles. This collection will equal it. Music from South Africa, Japan, Algeria, Serbia, Colombia and all points in-between Continue Reading
Music You Need To Hear Podcast – 5 Treasures – January 11, 2021
We will be featuring 5 tracks of the day every week. Our first foray includes the following tracks: 1. Ibibio Sound System – Joy (Idaresit) 2. 6Blocc – This Sound Is For The Underground (Hoodz Remix) 3. Dadamah – Brian’s Children 4. Alessandra Celletti – Sayyid Dance (Dedicated To Mrs. Gurdjieff) Continue Reading
Erkin Sadykov & Abdugheni Abdurusul – Secret of the world. Archival recordings of Uyghur music from Kyrgyzstan
There is little information available on Uyghur musicians Erkin Sadykov (vocal, dutar) and Abdugheni Abdurusul (tambur), but the quality of these recordings show a warm, sensitive interpretation of music we’re watching disintegrate before our eyes. Thankfully, Kyrgyzstan allows their Uyghur minority to live and protect their traditions in peace.