Showing posts with label Mali. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mali. Show all posts

Thursday, 9 October 2014

Tinariwen - 'Iljaych Tareq'

WORLD MUSIC CORNER


'The Desert Bez' and his crew



Tinariwen - 'Iljaych Tareq' (2014)

You know what it's like, you go camping, you light a bonfire, maybe have some marshmallows even though you don't like marshmallows and then one of your friends takes out a guitar. Bloody hell you think, what a mood killer as they start playing half baked covers....you'd rather listen to the mosquitoes buzzing around your ears. But then there's Tinariwen, the Desert Blues dons and that's a whole different proposition, atmospheric, entrancing, exactly what you need for an evening under the stars...even makes the marshmallows taste nice. Whilst recording their latest album, Emmaar, in the Joshua Tree Desert, the 'desert Bez' and his boys would jam around a campfire long into the night. Inside/Outside - The Joshua Tree Acoustic Sessions are the fruits of that labour, 5 striped back tracks that see the band go back to their roots, without all that production of a studio, brilliant and evocative! The offer is still open boys, come round, we can sit in my son's sandpit and sip tea late into the night!




If you like you 'Desert Blues' check out TuneDr's Desert Blues Vol.1 here....


For more World Music Corner click here, or listen/subscribe to the playlist below, tastier than marshmallows fo' sho'!



Thursday, 16 January 2014

Africa Express: Songhoy Blues - 'Soubour' / Ghostpoet - 'Season Change'

WORLD MUSIC CORNER...




Ah Damon Albarn, a musical superhero! When he's not rescuing pop music, he's out in Africa discovering fresh musical talent with his Africa Express projectMaison Des Jeunes is the latest compilation and also the name of the youth centre in Bamako, Mali where Damon Albarn set his 'pop up' studio to recorded it in only a week. There he held an open invitation for new Malian musicians to perform with the likes of Brian Eno, Dave Maclean from Django Django, guitarist Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and London emcee, Ghostpoet amongst others (click here for a full list of collaborators). Mali is an unbelievably diverse and musically rich country which the album reflects, showcasing a new generation of stars recorded during that 7 day period and deservedly exposing them to Western ears. It's a musical delight and on heavy rotation with me at the moment, Ghostpoet and Songhoy Blues are among the many highlights.

There will be an exclusive featurette on BBC6 music of the story behind Maison Des Jeunes on Sunday 19th Jan at 1pm, all part of the radio station's African Music weekend (17-19 January 2013) . If you missed it and are reading this in retrospect in the year 2032, then click on the BBC6 Music website here to catch a podcast or something.



Songhoy Blues - 'Soubour'

This band hailing out of Timbuktu, formed in direct response to the Islamists who banned music whilst occupying their city only last year. It's an incredibly ferocius retort, loud,with an incendary riff and some amazing guitar work, a real powerful statement in protest. Ban This!



Ghostpoet - 'Season Change'

Here we have my favourite cup of tea toting rapper with the 'I can't be bothered' delivery, Ghostpoet teaming up with Bamako drum band, Doucoura, London bassman, Two Inch Punch and Damon Albarn for a low-key and atmospheric number with some immaculate percussion.


Stream Maison Des Jeunes here from Spotify....


Africa Express website...



Want to listen to something different? Then try out TuneDr's World Music Corner playlist...





Thursday, 4 July 2013

Samba Toure - 'Be Ki Don' / 'Aye Go Mila' / 'Ago Djamba'




Samba Toure - 'Be Ki Don' (2013)

Samba Toure is my new Malian Blues hero. These tracks are taken from his third album, Albala (Danger) and it's a brilliantly sombre affair, Desert Blues in every sense of the phrase, with most songs reflecting on Mali's recent turmoil. Imagine an Islamist ban on music for example, absolute nonsense considering Mali's rich musical heritage. This is everything I love about the genre, intricate guitar playing, hypnotic rhythms, creating a unique atmosphere only the Desert Blues can bring. I imagine the hot desert wind on my face and a mouthful of sand ruining my mint tea, it's essential listening in my view.


Despite cutting his teeth by making a name for himself with the legendary Ali Farka Toure's band and with two albums under his belt, it looks like Albala could be the deserved breakthrough for the 40 year bluesman and recognition amongst the plethora of Mali's musical talent.

I could only find an audio for album opener 'Be Ki Don' (Everybody Dance) but if you have Spotify you can stream my two favourite tracks from the album,

The love song, 'Aye Go Mila' (I only Think of Her (I don't know if he mentions his mother in law in it as it reminds me a bit of Willie Dixon's 'Walking the Blues')).


And the moody and entrancing, 'Ago Djamba' (Life Betrays Us), in fact why not treat yourself and listen to the album here....

Thanks to Songlines Magazine's free CD sampler for giving the heads up once again, and if you want to read more on Samba Toure, find him here on Glitterhouse Records....


Have a listen/subscribe to TuneDr's World Music Corner Spotify playlist below or have a look at some other WMC posts here..


Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate - 'Ruby'

World Music Corner




Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Ruby (2006)

A magnificent and entrancing song by Mali's Kora (a 21 string harp like instrument) king Toumani Diabate and the late Blues legend Ali Farka Toure taken from their colloborative album, 'Ali and Toumani'. Recorded in 2006 but released in 2010, it contains some of Toure's very last known recordings with 'Ruby' named and dedicated to producer and long term friend, Nick Gold's daughter. I remember going to see Tinariwen at the Koko last November and walking in whilst this song was resonating from the venue's soundsystem, it was amazing to hear it loud, made even more special as I was listening to this album at the time. Toumani's Kora just seems to dance around Toure's Rhythm and Blues hook with the hypnotising effect of snake charmer.

Ali and Toumani....'oooh cheeky...keep you hands where I can see them Ali!!'





More World Music Corner??? Click here.....

Sunday, 8 April 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/04/12 - The Deep Dark Woods, Marilyn Manson, Amadou and Mariam, Peter Broderick

Fed up with all those chocolate Easter Eggs yet? Come on, gorge yourself on four more!


Flycasual:-
Amadou and Mariam - 'Dougou Badia' feat Santigold (2012)



I was particularly excited this week as Amadou and Mariam released their new album, their 7th. More so when the single features the eccentric and innovative, Santigold who is also coming out with a new album of her own (April 23rd). It's a smashing song, Mariam's voice interlaced with some fantastic percussion and guitars with the bonkers Santigold kindly lending her voice to the chorus. I've been hooked on the Malian duo's unique sound, albeit a late comer, ever since I was introduced to the Manu Chao produced, Dimanche a Bamako, their 5th album. Amadou and Mariam's popularity has surged recently with Damon Albarn producing their last album, a remix album released last year and the new album hosting a number of guest stars (Amp Fiddler,TV on the Radio) as they bid to increase their audience. I read recently that, as a result this album may see them further diluting their sound with Mariam's vocals taking more of backseat. Sounds ominous but no care as I'll be looking forward to finding that out for myself.

Official website is still under construction but there's a video of their song 'Wily Kataso' with TV on the Radio (who also worked with Tinariwen last year)......here



Old Pa's Corner :-
The Deep Dark Woods - 'The Place I left Behind' (2012)


I never heard of  The Deep Dark Woods  before until I heard this track which is superb. It is very reminiscent of the Civil Wars '20 years' or the Arlene's 'Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone'. It has that same haunting sound and feel with a beautiful melody..
It is from their new album 'The Place I left Behind(2012), I have sampled several tracks and it is all rather good. You cannot beat a nice little bit of Alt Country melancholia for a Sunday Morning. Especially when 

'it is Easter Time Too'.
Dressed for another day in the Woods!
Sfw:-
Peter Broderick - 'Asleep' (2012)





A moving tribute about the death of a friend, this has elements of the sonic beauty of Bon Iver and so much more - listening on a good stereo or through headphones will take you on a musical journey.  Let him know what you think by visiting his site here.

Shell Hunter:-
Marilyn Manson - 'No Reflection' (2012)



Marilyn Manson is back and in my opinion, back to when I loved him most. Back to the same form of 'Sweet Dreams', 'The Beautiful People', and The Dope Show'. It's gritty, raunchy, you can dance to it and it makes me feel like wrapping myself up in a black cape. I've heard someone describe it as "Suicide Death Metal" and come on, surely we've stopped taking all this gory goth stuff seriously? Can't we all just enjoy the drama and theatre of Mr. Manson doing what he does best? He's got a new album out that has been 2 years in the making and if this first offering is anything to go by, I shall be donning my dog collar and monocle to sit back in my velvet chaise longue to discover the rest! Check out the official website here...

You want more? Overload yourself on more tasty Tracks Of The week Here!

Sunday, 23 October 2011

WORLD MUSIC CORNER - Boubacar Traoré - 'Mali Denhou' and Ayub Ogada - 'Dicholo'

Here are a couple of soulful beauties. Just let the music do the talking!
 
Boubacar Traoré - 'Mali Denhou'



There's definitely something in their chips in Mali, as it seems to produce a never ending plethora of musical talent. Malian veteran, Boubacar Traoré is no different, incorporating a heady melange of the Mississippi Delta with music from his local region creating a distinct blend of the 'Mali Blues'. Lucky for me, I found this on a sampler and I just love the feel of it, the simple guitar and harmonica accompaniment...Just one of those gems you probably wouldn't normally come across.


Boubacar Traoré...too many chips!

Ayub Ogada - 'Dicholo'


This track really wants to make you move and in my case, despite good intentions, very badly. I first heard this in the film the Constant Gardener and I just had to get it. I love the syncopation of the rhythm with his voice and the harmonious female singers, it's a great sound so synonymous with African music. Ayub Ogada has recorded for Peter Gabriel's label, Real World and has also collaborated with the Afro Celts Soundsytem. Born in Mombasa, Kenya and he's a damn site better than the hotel lobby band that used to do a Casio keyboard cover of 'I Just Called to Say I Love You', when I went on holiday all those years ago. But who knows maybe that's where I saw him when he was cutting his teeth.


No I won't do any Stevie Wonder


Monday, 25 July 2011

Bombino - 'Ahoulaguine Akaline' and SMOD - 'Les Dirigeants Africains'

World Music Corner


Here are a couple of gems that have been transporting me to sunnier climes over the last few weeks. Just let the music do the talking!
 

Bombino - 'Ahoulaguine Akaline' (I Greet my Country) (2011)

I'm a real sucker for Desert Blues and this track from Niger's Bombino, ticks all the boxes. Although the Tuareg refugee has been making music for awhile, he has recently released his debut album 'Agadez'. Bombino is an accomplished guitarist, as this tune proves and perhaps more melodious than his counterparts, showing there's more to the genre than Tinariwen.


Bombino - 'Ahoulaguine Akaline'



SMOD - 'Les Dirigeants Africains' (2011)

SMOD are a acoustic rap trio from Mali and have recently released an album of the same name. Produced by World Music troubadour Manu Chao, the album blends the traditional with the modern in that unique Manu sound. I just love this with the melody, the beat keeping that rhythmic pulse throughout and that distinct and infectious West African guitar. The song sees them denounce those notorious inept African dictators who seem to remain in power whilst the rest of the population suffers. Tell em' boys!

SMOD - 'Les Dirigeants Africains'

More World Music Corner? Free transport here...click

Sunday, 26 June 2011

Tinariwen - 'Tenere Taqqim Tossam'

World Music Corner..




Tinariwen - 'Tenere Taqqim Tossam feat TV on the Radio' (2011)

It's packing heat!! Sun, seas of sand, hot tea.....Tinariwen and TV on the Radio share a tent and the Saharan airwaves on this amazing new track from the forthcoming album 'Tassili'. I've been a long time fan of the Malian desert blues outfit and I'm excited at the prospect of a new offering, especially with reports that Wilco are also collaborating. Their blend of desert blues is highly evocative and atmospheric, with the hypnotic guitars and trance like rhythms transporting me away. Hopefully not too far from a waiting oasis and a harem of women.......hmm ok maybe not the oasis but it's evocative nonetheless.

They are touring this summer and I just want to say that they are welcome to pop into Camberley for a cup of tea.

Click here for more World Music Corner posts 

If you like this,try this:-

Terakraft, Tamikrest, Etran Finatawa

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder - 'Lasidan'

World Music Corner




Lasidan - Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder

I probably first heard this track in 1994 through my dad and it was my first taste of African music of which I now dearly love. Apart from the Paul Simon albums 'Gracelands' and 'Rhythm of the Saints' and the North African influenced 'Continental Drift' track from the Rolling Stones album 'Steel Wheels', I wasn't really exposed to 'world' music but I liked it. This track changed everything, I was hooked by the hypnotic sounds of Ali Farka Toure's and Ry Cooder's guitar work and the accompanying rhythms, very chilled. Two Blues heavyweights from different continents coming together to compose the 'Talking Timbuktu' album, showing that despite their distance and contrasting styles they are invariably linked by the Blues.


Click here for more World Music Posts
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