Introducing Mamane Barka

Mamane Barka
(INTRO114)

As a nomad of the Toubou tribe, Malam Mamane Barka is the indisputable son of the desert and the world's only remaining master of the biram. He maintains the tradition single-handedly, bringing the boat-shaped instrument to the world's attention with his own unique blend of desert blues.

 

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Introducing Akim El Sikameya

Akim El Sikameya
(INTRO113)

Akim excels in blending European and Algerian influences, and has astonished live audiences with his unique singing voice and fiddle-playing technique. Drawing from Arab-Andalusian tradition, while incorporating jazz, Latin and gypsy music, this album is also a lyrical revolution: Akim sings about his personal experiences of exile, and fights with words against religious fundamentalism. Introducing Akim El Sikameya shifts between countries and cultures, between tradition and modernity, and between an unplugged and electric sound.
 

*** (three stars) 'Draws thrillingly on the classical Arab-Andalusian tradition.' Songlines

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Introducing Dozan

Dozan
(INTRO112)

An innovative acoustic ensemble celebrating Arabic folk culture, Dozan was founded by Jordanian vocalist Shireen Abu-Kader and the Dozan wa Awtar Establishment. Featuring renowned musicians from across the Middle East, Introducing Dozan showcases mystical Sufi influenced songs handed down through the generations, alongside beautiful Arab classics and a smattering of haunting contemporary compositions.


'This CD brings an excellent new Jordan-based group to Western audiences' The Independent

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Introducing Hanggai

Hanggai
(INTRO111)

Downtown Beijing might seem a strange place for a Mongolian folk revival. Yet Hanggai are at the forefront of a musical movement in China that is finding inspiration in native folk traditions, drawing on a repertoire of magical songs that have all but disappeared during China's recent turbulent past.
 

‘exhuberant, exotic, exciting and unusual’ Sydney Morning Herald

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Introducing Spam Allstars

Spam Allstars
(INTRO110)

Spam Allstars are Miami's hardest-working Latin band. Spam music, grounded in Latin funk, mixes horns, improvisational electronic elements and turntables with hip-hop and dub, adding touches of Pythonesque humour. Compiled by DJ Bongohead for your dancing pleasure.
 

‘An excellent introduction to seriously funky party music…it keeps getting better the longer you listen.’ The Independent On Sunday

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Introducing Perunika Trio

Perunika Trio
(INTRO109)

Singing beautiful and haunting acoustic harmonies, Perunika Trio’s sound is rooted in the forests and plains of southern Bulgaria. With songs traditional and nostalgic, they invoke an earlier age where singing and vocal harmony were held in the greatest esteem.
 

'Rustic, without being overly romantic, the album's mood is warm and reassuring.' The Daily Telegraph

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Introducing Wayne Gorbea's Salsa Picante

Wayne Gorbea's Salsa Picante
(INTRO108)

Serious Latin music lovers and salsa dancers everywhere have been digging Wayne Gorbea's pure uncut sound for more than thirty years and now a wider audience is coming round to his unblemished form of classic salsa dura ('hard' salsa). This disc spans Wayne's career and is crammed with over 70 minutes of his finest cuts, tracks that have sent dancers into trance-like states with the relentless groove, dynamic arrangements and authentic lyrics.
 

**** (four stars) Top Of The World ‘Here is salsa at its best’ Songlines

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Obama For Change

Kenge Kenge
(INTRO107-1)

Kenge Kenge symbolise all that is great about African traditional music; they are the guardians and masters of an ancient but living tradition, and this video demonstrates their ability to inspire a hugely important international campaign in support of the American presidential candidate Barack Obama. All the musicians are Luo, the very same ethnic group in Kenya that Barack Obama's father belonged to. Kenge Kenge are extremely proud of this connection and true to the Luo tradition, are singing their support and praises to Obama with utmost passion and integrity. The group breath new life into Kenya's Luo musical roots, continuing its evolution, from the hand made instruments of the past, through the popular guitar based benga, embracing their Luo musical heritage.

**MP3 ONLY**
 

‘Life-affirming…the kind of classic, joyous African dance sound.’ The Daily Telegraph

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