Blog
I am just back from MIDEM, the annual gathering of the wider music industry in Cannes where I bumped into Jay Deva, formerly of the Indian label Navras and now running Sachel Music. Jay kindly gave me a copy of his latest release by Sachal Jazz called 'Interpretations of Jazz Standards and Bossa Nova' - essentially Pakistani versions of some well known tunes. It is great fun and a delight for fans of curious hybrids like me. Recorded in Lahore the album includes raga versions of Take Five and the Girl From Ipanema amongst others. If you enjoy the clip why not go see them live on Tuesday 17th April at the South Bank in London?
I was pleased to hear that Sahrawi singer Aziza Brahim has just finished recording a new album called Mabruk which will be released later this year. Brahim, who was born in a refugee camp in Western Sahara and educated in Cuba before returning to the camps as a young woman, is the new voice of Sahrawi culture and struggle for political freedom. I first heard her music when Andy Morgan, compiler of various North African focussed Rough Guides, selected a track of hers for the Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara. I am looking forward to the new album but for now here is a clip of her performing on London’s South Bank.
In Africa music can easily be ‘lost’; masters are reused and record labels come and go. So it is particularly unfortunate that the archive of Dr John Collins, who has championed the music and culture of Ghana over many years, should suffer extensive damage in a recent disastrous flood. Dr Collins is asking for help to rebuild the archive and make the archive safe (80% was saved from immediate threat). More details about the archive, the flooding and how to make a contribution can be found below:
http://blog.afropop.org/2011/11/flood-disaster-at-john-collinss-bokoor.html
Listen
- Music and language; music as language? Celebrating yesterday's International Mother Language Day. @soasradio Live both! http://t.co/mwUH4eKT
- RT @babellabel: Congratulations to @vortexjazz on winning BBC/ACE The Space commission to broadcast and record gigs from club. http://t. ...
- For the ultimate in world music festivals and expositions: Babel Med Music @DOCKDESSUDS. http://t.co/VZogwaL0
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