Raghu Dixit
Raghu Dixit has fast become a shining beacon
in the burgeoning Indian independent music scene.
Raghu’s debut self-titled album was released through
Vishal and Shekhar Music in 2008 ………read more
Ana Moura
Ana Moura is a striking Fado singer whose fans
include the Rolling Stones and Prince
(*Ana live with Prince). Her latest CD
“Leva – Me Aos Fados” is TOP OF THE WORLD
in the current Songlines Magazine………read more
Krystle Warren
“… Warren’s talents are extraordinary. She has an
octave-hopping voice that glides between languid
and urgent, and music that hovers between funk,
folk and jazz, between Jeff Buckley and Nina Simone
….. she’s the real deal.” The Observer.……read more
Slam
A few years ago the best known example of Lucha Libre
(literally free wrestling, and based on daring acrobatics
and spectacular soaring manoeuvres), was the film
Nacho Libre starring Jack Black and featuring luchador
Silver King in the role of Ramses….…read more
Miriam Makeba
““South Africa’s Skylark” shows that Miriam Makeba was not
only arguably the first world music superstar but also a
socially-conscious artist on a par with the likes of Nina Simone
& Marvin Gaye…..…read more
Lyrical Alliance featuring Talib Kweli
Lyrical Alliance is collaboration between leading hip hop artists
from the Arab world alongside the cream of European hip hop
with featured artists from the UK and US
headline act Talib Kweli.……read more
Baaba Maal
“African Soul Revolutionary” focuses squarely on
Baaba Maal’s prolific early career, when he was
on the cusp of becoming a major international star,
collecting together the ‘Wango’, ‘Taara’ and ‘Jombaajo’
albums for the first time plus a bonus track, ‘Tabakaly’
where Baaba plays alongside his childhood friend Mansour Seck……read more
South African Funk Experience
With the eyes of the world focussed on South Africa for the 2010
World Cup along comes a timely taste of South Africa’s respected
musical culture, put together by a man who knows
his Zulu Jive from his Mbube?……read more
Soil and Pimp Sessions
Japanese punk-jazz renegades SOIL & ”PIMP” SESSIONS burst
into 2010 with their sixth studio album on Gilles Peterson’s
Brownswood Recordings imprint. The sextet’s roof-raising,
festival-conquering live show ..…read more
Choc Quib Town
With a Latin Grammy nomination in the bag, major successes
at South By South West (Austin, Texas, US) and Womex
(Copenhagen), performances in India, Europe and the
US and the brand-new international release Oro (‘Gold’),
Afro-Colombian hip-hop sensation Choc Quib Town is ready
to take the European summer festivals by storm……read more
Havana Cultura
It was two years ago that Gilles visited Cuba for the first time
on a reconnaissance mission to check out the new generation
of Havana-based artists. Suitably impressed, he was back
within the year for a 5-day session at the legendary Egrem Studios
with Roberto Fonseca and his superb band. Revelling in his
role as executive producer, it was a hot, sweaty, intense session
but a fruitful one nonetheless……read more
Ska Cubano
When a music critic, in a review of our previous efforts, used phrases
like “relentlessly upbeat….feelgood party music. …Satanic temptations….
(you’re going) straight to hell”, we paused for a second. Is dancing your
socks off worth the flirting with eternal damnation?……read more
Nagore Sessions
Nagore Sessions is an expansive, joyous collection of world music
ranging from the down-tempo, atmospheric spirituality of ‘Bagdad Guru’
through to the uninhibited euphoria of ‘Mahane Mohabbat’……read more
La Linea ’10
Back in its tenth year La Linea is funkier, punkier, rootsier and spunkier
than ever. It’s all about what Latin Music can be, has been and very much is.
Whether you are a mariachi punk, into speed salsa or gangsta charanga
we’ve got something for you just leave your musical prejudices in at the door……read more
Havana Cultura
Direct from Barcelona La Troba Kung-Fú return to London
after making their UK debut at this year’s La Linea festival..…read more
Kartick and Gotam
Business Class Refugees is a fine album that transcends the normal
barriers between classic and modern or electronic and acoustic.
Kartick & Gotam record in Chenna..…read more
This is Not Fusion
Business Class Refugees is a fine album that transcends the normal
barriers between classic and modern or electronic and acoustic.
Kartick & Gotam record in Chenna..…read more
La Troba Kung-Fu
Direct from Barcelona La Troba Kung-Fú return to London
after making their UK debut at this year’s La Linea festival..…read more
Ojos de Brujo
One of the reasons that OdB are the most visible and
successful of Barcelona’s acclaimed mestizo (fusion)
scene is that they embody it..…read more
Mayra Andrade
Mayra Andrade was born in Cuba in 1985, spent her earliest
years in Cape Verde and since the ‘90s she has lived
in several places, including Senegal, Angola and Germany.
In 2001, while still a teenager, she won the gold medal at the
French-speaking “Jeux de la francophonie” in Ottawa, Canada……read more
Colombiage ’09
This October will see an array of Colombian arts
presented in London by Colombiage ’09, all designed
to promote contemporary art and culture from Colombia
in the UK. For the weekend of 17/18 October
Colombia comes to Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios..…read more
Lal Meri
It’s no coincidence that Nancy Kaye, Ireesh Lal and
Carmen Rizzo chose to name their groundbreaking
collaboration after the ancient Sufi folk song, “Lal Meri,”
an interpretation which closes the trio’s seductive and
refreshing Six Degrees Records debut..…read more
Paula Rae
Paula Rae Gibson
+ DJ Dan Lywood
In The Dark
8 September, 6 October, 21 November.
8pm
£6 / £8
The Vortex
11 Gillett Street
London, N16 8JH
For the first of three In The Dark sessions Paula Rae Gibson will be performing with DJ Dan Lywood with whom she is recording a dance album.…read more
Rocksteady
VARIOUS ARTISTS: ROCKSTEADY –
THE ROOTS OF REGGAE
CD launch and screening: Wednesday 30th September at The Ritzy Cinema*
CD release date: 5th October
Distributed by Shellshock
The sixteenth release on the Moll-Selekta label shares its title with a wonderful film, a heartwarming homage to the golden age of rocksteady.…read more
Bamboleo make their UK debut
18th July 2009
The HMV Forum
Supported by top Cuban DJS:A Dr Jim,
Javier La Rosa and Rich.…read more
Café Tacuba
Thursday 23 July 2009 7pm
The HMV Forum
Legendary Mexican band Café Tacuba celebrate
their 20th anniversary this year with 20 shows
in 20 cities around the world.…read more
Picante!
12th July – 5th August 2009
At KOKO and The HMV Forum
Picante! is the best and most innovative new music
from Latin America in a series of five dancehall gigs
happening at Koko and The Forum in Camden in July and August .…read more
Alcazaba
Released July 6th
Album launch Tuesday 30th June at Momo
Momo 25-27 Heddon St, W1B 4BH
Alcazaba represent a credible and organic
fusion of the musics of the Middle East and India with Flamenco read more
FREE
World Party Saturday 1st August
Croydon Mela Sunday 2nd August
Lloyd Park, Croydon, CR0 5RD
The Proclaimers, Candi Staton, Malkit Singh
Kanda Bongo Man, Eduardo Niebla Experience,
Dreadzone, Latin Dub Soundsystem.…read more
Red Bull Music Academy &
Karen P’s Broad Casting Present
JAMES PANTS and JOE BATAAN
(First ever UK performance)
+ WILLIE ISZ (Jneiro Jarel + Khujo Goodie)
DJs: KAREN P + JAMES PANTS.…read more
The Very Best of Bob James
Cat No.: SALVODCD208
Released: April 13th 2009
This is the perfect Bob James collection. Bob James is one of the reasons why we created the Nuyorican Soul Project. I’d recommend this collection to all music lovers – this will be an encyclopaedia for us all! The collection is dope!! Louie Vega – (MAW/Elements Of Life)…read more
No Passport Necessary
“London’s Global Mixtape” 4th May ’09 (Bank Holiday Monday) 3pm till 11pm
Mongrel, Alex Wilson’s Salsa Con Soul Orchestra, Swami, Tippa Irie, Nathan Flutebox Lee, Zoë Appleseed, Halagoogoo, Size Nine, Queens English, North of Ping Pong, FunDo Circus Performers, Art Exhibition, Chillout Space, DJs plus more…read more herewww.myspace.com/nopassportnecessary
La Linea 2009
The London Latin Music Festival (14th April – 30th April 2009)
Tuesday 14 April Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro UK Debut + Pascal Comelade & Bel Canto Orquestra UK Debut Barbican (Catalan Focus)
Friday 17th April – Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra with Omar Puente group – South Bank Centre
Saturday 18 April Peret: 50 years of Rumba Catalana UK Debut + La Troba Kung-Fú UK Debut Barbican (Catalan Focus)
Barbican Late night Freestage – Los Chinches + Movimientos DJs
Sunday 26th April Vanessa Da Mata UK Debut – Koko
Monday 27 April – Ojos de Brujo + Kumar – Roundhouse (Catalan Focus)
Tuesday 28 April – Spanish Bombs: Tropical Tribute to the Clash World Premiere – Barbican
Thursday 30 April – Alejandro Escovedo – Bush Hall….read more here
Seun Kuti
The sacred fire of Afrobeat.
The heritage of Fela
The opener, “Think Africa”, kicks off with a guitar riff suitable for only the most nimble of fingers, declaring that Seun Kuti is coming correct with pure, uncut Afrobeat: the perfect melding of guitars, horns, rhythm section, voices, Highlife, Funk, Yoruba and upfront politics. The promise of “Think Africa” is maintained throughout “Many Things”, the first full album from Fela’s baby boy….read more here
http://www.myspace.com/seunkuti
Jane Birkin Jane Birkin performs at the Barbican for the first time since her sold out show there in 2003. This is the London premiere for a brand new show, which showcases songs from Jane’s new album Enfants d’Hiver as well as reinventing the songs that Serge Gainsbourg created for her as his muse…..read more here
Download reviews
The Daily Telegraph
The Guardian
Time Out
Los Van Van
Los Van Van Cuba’s biggest, funkiest dance orquesta returns to London after 2 years. The legendary 20 piece Los Van Van (the Go Go’s) will be celebrating 40 years of dance floor mayhem at the Roundhouse. Their trademark songo rhythm combines salsa, funk, charanga and reggae with incendiary afro-cuban percussion and this hottest of nights also features top Cuban dance DJs Dr. Jim + Javier La Rosa….read more here
The new CD América Brasil released on Discos Como No 23rd July 2008
Seu Jorge (Mr. George) made his live UK debut as part of La Linea ’05 at the Royal Festival Hall and returns to the recently refurbished venue with a few more additions to his extraordinary CV. Jorge arrived with a bang as Knockout Ned in 2002’s explosive, and multi-Academy Award nominated, City of God. Despite the film’s strapline:
“Fight and you’ll never survive….. Run and you’ll never escape.”….read more here
Time Out – Download Review PDF
Evening Standard- Download Review PDF
New Statesman – Download Review PDF
Soil Pimp Released September 1st
via Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings
Soil & “Pimp” Sessions’ last album “Pimpoint” has long been the preferred form of revivification around these parts. The energy these Tokyo residents bring to their music is almost tangible and totally infectious..read more here
Drummer – Download Press Review PDF
HMV Choice- Download Press Review PDF
International DJ- Download Review PDF
Sunday Times – Download Review PDF
The Guardian – Download Review PDF
Lucha Libre London 2008
@ Roundhouse July 4th, 5th & 6th
Doors @ 7pm with special matinee show at 2pm on July 5th
The Mythical, Dangerous, Acrobatic and Heroic World of
Mexico’s Masked Men. Featuring 16 of Mexico’s finest Luchadores including
El Hijo Del Santo & Blue Demon Jr….read more here
Big Cheese- Download Press Review PDF
The London Paper- Download Press Review PDF
The Sunday Times- Download Review PDF
Oscar D’Leon and his Venezuelan Big Band & DJs: Lubi and Julian Mr M
@ Roundhouse July 12th
Como no! proudly presents the first London show in five years from the great Salsa star aka El Sonero Mayor (‘The Great Improviser’), Oscar D’Leon. Oscar is a great singer, bandleader, composer, arranger and truly dynamic and innovative live performer..read more here
LELEO Released 16th June 2008 on Acid Jazz
Brazilian chart-topper, Leleo, is set to unleash new album, Maravilhas, on the UK. A star in Brazil since the mid-90’s, Leleo has relocated from tropical Copacabana to topical Camden Town and, in a whirl of dextrous creativity, has been heating up London’s winter audiences at headline shows -both with his solo acoustic gigs and full Brazilian band, Maravilhas, as well as dropping storming Acid Samba DJ sets throughout the capital. ….read more here
DJ DOLORES – 1 Real – Released 25th February 2008
DJ Dolores plays live with his full band on 27th February @ Cargo
launching both 1 REAL and La Linea ‘08 This is DJ Dolores’ third album, and it sees his multiple talents come to full bloom. Using once again elements of popular music from his native Brazilian Northeast, blended with dancefloor-friendly electronics, horns, and rock & dub influences, he’s created these exhilarating songs which are contagiously joyful, yet based on the observation of a grim political and social subtext…read more here
Titina – Cruel Destino – Released February 25th , 2008 – Astral Music
Titina (real name Albertina Rodrigues Almeida) is one of the most authentic voices of Cape Verde, following in the tradition of the country’s greatest singers. Born in the cultural capital Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente, Titina was singing in the lap of the grand master of Cape Verdean music, B.Léza, when she was just 6 years old. By the age of 12 she was performing in public and being broadcast on radio stations. She recorded her first single when she was 15…read more here
Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestar LIVE AT KOKO, 20/02/08
“A rowdy series of pop songs…wild careering is what the boy does best.”Songlines – Top of the World
With recent hit album Disko Partizani! still making waves throughout Europe and riding high on commercial and critical acclaim in the U.K, Crammed Discs are delighted to announce Shantel live at KOKO, Camden, on 20/02/08.
…read more
Jane Birkin – Sings Gainsbourg and more – Saturday 1st March 2008, The Roundhouse, London
Jane Birkin makes a rare return to London and will be singing songs created for her by Serge Gainsbourg and from her recent albums “Rendez-vous” and “Fictions”. Singer, actress, muse, interpreter, lover, mother, beauty, adventurer Jane Birkin makes a rare appearance in London on March 1st for what promises to be a genuine event. Performing, in the most profound sense of the word, songs created for her by Serge Gainsbourg and by a host of contemporary talents. Imbuing them with her rich life experiences and multi-faceted craft, grace and passion…read more here
Vieux Farka Toure – Remixed: UFOs Over Bamako – Album released 12/11/07 on Modiba Productions
The offspring of a legend has a lot to live up to. And even if they are more than capable of standing on their own two feet and producing quality music – such as in the cases of Femi Kuti and Damian Marley – it’s hard to think of anybody who has actually topped their parents’ success. With UFOs Over Bamako this is exactly what Vieux Farka Toure, the 26-year-old son of the late Ali Farka Toure, has taken another step towards achieving…read more here
Ojos De BrujoLive ‘Techari Live’ CD/DVD released – 15th October – Live at the Roundhouse Wednesday 7th November – Latin Grammy Nomination for “Techari”
On October 15th everyone’s favourite one-time anarchist musical collective turned premier flamenco/hip hop/funk/reggae/latin/bhangra collective and nu flamenco guerrillas, Ojos de Brujo, release “Techari Live” on CD + DVD. Their 2006 CD “Techari” (“free” in Romany) was universally lauded and has recently been nominated for a Latin Grammy..read more here.
Steve Reid Ensemble – Daxaar – 12th November 2007
Steve Reid made his recording debut in 1964, aged 19, playing on Martha and the Vandellas’ classic “Dancing in the Street”. He went on to accompany the greatest of the jazz greats – legendary figures such as Miles Davis, Archie Shepp, Sun Ra and David Murray; and also soul legends such as James Brown, Dionne Warwick and Chaka Khan. “Daxaar” is the latest collaboration between Steve Reid and Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) following on from their previous Domino albums: “Tongues” and “The Exchange Sessions” Volumes 1 + 2…read more here
Larry Harlow’s Latin Legends of Fania – Saturday November 17th
15 piece salsa orchestrafeaturing Adalberto Santiago, Yomo Toro, Lewis Kahn, Bobby Sanabria and Nicky Marrero + special guest DJ Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1) Presented by Como No at The Roundhouse as part of the London Jazz Festival. A great night of big band salsa direct from New York to the Roundhouse’s huge dancefloor…read more here
The Definitive Trilok Gurtu – Twenty Years of Talking Tabla – Released – Union Square Music – 13th August
Trilok Gurtu is a musician’s musician who has long since left behind boundaries that limit lesser players. At various points in his career he may have been described as an Indian musician, Jazz musician and World musician but there is truly no category that can fully claim or contain him. This compilation of his work was chosen by the man himself – and a brief run through a list of some of the musicians featured here alongside him tells its own story…read more here
the very best of éthiopiques – Released on 13th August 2007 on Manteca – MANTDBL516
A mid-price various artists double CD set containing the very best tracks from one of the most talked-about series of recent years.
“Do yourself a favour and discover the Ethiopian R&B counterparts to James Brown, Elvis Presley and Jackie Wilson but also jazz composers, folk minstrels and bluesmen with the power and wildness of Bukka White or Son House or contemplative piano music that might might suggest Bill Evans or Maurice Ravel for a moment, but is really from a strange and wonderful place of its own.” (Elvis Costello)…read more here
Setsubun Bean Unit – Released On 13th August – Accidental Records (Ac27cd)
Setsubun Bean Unit were born out of a 2005 trip to Tokyo by members of the Farmyard Animals (Gideon Juckes, Brendan Kelly, Pete Flood), sometime Bellowhead compatriots and general intrepid jazz livestock adventurers. Having recently signed to Matthew Herbert’s groundbreaking Accidental Records, Setsubun Bean Unit’s eponymous debut is released in the UK on July 16, and the 9 piece are playing a number of dates in support of their release…read more here
‘Translations’ released on Cheap Lullaby – 3rd September 2007
Translations” is a slim, delicate volume in 11 chapters, which recounts the adventures of the heart and mind undertaken by Sylvie Lewis since the acclaimed release of her debut album Tangos & Tantrums…read more
Mayra Andrade – Debut Album : Navega out 10 Sept 2007 on Stern’s
Navega’s lead track, “Dimokransa”, has already been selected by the esteemed Charlie Gillett (ahead of the pack, as usual) for his “World 2007” compilation, due out in the summer…read more here
THE BIG CHILL Festival, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Great Malvern, Herefordshire – August 3-5, 2007
The Big Chill 2007 has announced its first artist names for this summer’s festival at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire. Among the artists already confirmed: Kruder & Dorfmeister’s Summer Sessions, The Cinematic Orchestra, Paul Hartnoll’s The Ideal Condition’, Cymande, Tunng, Kocani Orkestar, Ojos De Brujo, Konono No1, Norman Jay, The Skatalites, The Blockheads, Daddy G, DJ Marky and Stamina MC, Crazy P, Chungking
many more to be added…see full details here
Gypsy Beats & Balkan Bangers Too – Released 23rd July on Atlantic Jaxx – Compiled by Russ Jones and Felix Buxton
Gypsy music and culture is finally receiving long overdue credit. Many new bands are coming through; established bands feel like they’ve won the lottery and fantastic, previously undiscovered, bands are latterly seeing the light of day. Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello is making his second film with Madonna, The Kocani Orchestra are headlining the Big Chill Festival and Mahala Rai Banda are playing Glastonbury. Borat hooked up with DJ Shantel and everybody is grooving to the happy, happening sounds of the Balkans. Folk dancing and spontaneous large circles are breaking out in clubs from Berlin to Canada, Sydney to Switzerland, New York to London and beyond ….read more here
UK Flavours Festival – British-Russian festival of new culture – 21st July 2007, 12:00 – 23:00
The territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint-Petersburg
A new type of festival set in the Russian heartland of Saint-Petersburg is set to promote multiculturalism through music this summer. Lily Allen tops the impressively varied mix of acts, with Dub Pistols featuring The Specials’ Terry Hall also on the line-up. UK Flavours Festival, organised by The British Council, will celebrate the positivity of diversity in society. The all-day festival will attract a wide range of people from Saint-Petersburg; its 4.7 million population includes over 50 different ethnicities… read more here
New Carnaval Compilations from Resiste Music
Resiste is the new Latin & World Music spin-off label of Resist Music, the UK’s leading independent dance/compilation label and brainchild of Resist’s James Horrocks and London’s leading Latin music DJ/Promoter Jose Luis. Resiste aims to showcase a plethora of Latin American artists not currently represented outside North America as well as present a selection of well-crafted, beautifully packaged compilation CD’s starting with the highly accessible Carnaval series…see the full series here
Including two return dates at London’s Dingwalls on Tuesday 19th June and Sunday 8th July
On his last visit in 2006 he thrilled audiences with some astonishing shows – both with his five-piece and as a duo with long time pianist/arranger Bruce Malament* – thanks to YouTube you can check out many of these performances for yourself.…read more.
This is La Linea’s 7th year of presenting new trends and moves in music of Latin origin. La Linea takes place in a variety of central London venues throughout April and 2007 season promises to keep up the dizzying standards that previous audiences have come to expec… See the full line up here…
Various Artists In the Mind of Nitin Sawhney – Release date: 24/4/2007
District 6 is proud to announce that it is initially tapping into the musical mind and genius of Nitin Sawhney. Nitin is one of the industry’s most respected music producers, has worked with an enviable lineup of musical talent including Terry Callier, Aqualung, Massive Attack and 4 Hero, won the Mercury Music Prize and released a string of hugely successful and highly respected albums thus far…read more
Lake of Stars 2007 International Malawi Music Festival – 5th – 7th October @ Chintheche Inn, Northern Malawi, Africa
Combining Western artists with acts from all over Southern Africa the fourth Lake of Stars Festival takes place in October this year. Head out to Malawi, deep in the middle of Africa, for a music event like no other. Since 2004 the unique festival has slowly been growing on the shores of Lake Malawi. The Lake of Stars Festival is a three day charity event that has featured Felix B (Basement Jaxx), Groove Armada’s Andy Cato, Mikey General (Bugz in the Attic), DJ Yoda, Tikhu Vibrations and the Black Missionaries (ten piece reggae group)…see full details here
Soul Britannia All-Stars – March 2007 Tour
Featuring: Linda Lewis, Madeline Bell, Cymande, Hamish Stuart, Gonzalez, Carol Grimes and Root Jackson. A unique tour providing a rare chance to catch some of the greatest names in 1970s British soul and funk together on one stage following the BBC TV series Soul Britannia..see full tour dates here.
Zim Ngqawana – ‘Vadzimu’ (Sheer Sound) – February 12th 2007
Committed to developing and creating an audience for new South African jazz, Zim’s music draws on influences ranging from South Africa’s folk and rural traditions to Indian and western classical music, world music and avant-garde. His music is percussive, improvisational and expressive…read more
African Soul Rebels Feb 2007 Tour with Femi Kuti ** Ba Cissoko ** Akli D
For the third annual instalment of the brilliantly successful African Soul Rebels tour Music Beyond Mainstream (MBM)* delivers yet another thrilling package of music featuring a triple bill of innovative modern African music – funky pan-African roots music for heads, hearts and feet – all heading for a town near you.
Thomas Mapfumo – “Choice Chimurenga” (SLCD 059)
Released February 5th 2007
Originally released in 2003 but available here for the first time “Choice Chimurenga” aims to pool the very best of Thomas Mapfumo’s incredible body of work from recent times whilst he has been living in the USA as an exile and working with the “aNOnym reCOrds” label there…read more
Nibs van der Spuy – “Beautiful Feet” release date November 6th on Sheer Sound
This third solo album from South African acoustic legend, Nibs van der Spuy, is a focused accessible work crafted by a unique, free-spirited, creative artist who constantly strives for truth and beauty in life and is one of the few musicians that manages to capture that essence in his songs. Nibs’s musical abilities come of age in “Beautiful Feet”, which embodies and reflects the spirit of the East Coast of Africa…read more.
Gilles Peterson presents Seu Jorge & AfroReggae: UK Tour – November 2006
Before he became Knockout Ned in “City of God”, the internationally successful and 4 times Oscar nominated movie, Jorge had extensive personal experience of the world depicted in the film. His childhood in the favelas of Rio left him with a formidable tenacity and an enduring political commitment. He lived on the street and taught himself to play guitar, doing odd jobs to scrape a living. But then he was taken on by a theatre company and, through acting, exorcised the ghosts of his past once and for all…read more.
Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge present: Sunday Afternoon at Dingwalls – Double CD
The session took place on Sunday afternoons, kicking off at 12.30 and skipped, bumped and body-popped through until 6.30pm. For most of that time there was no bar and the music policy ranged from to bebop to hip hop by way of afrobeat, funk, latin, modal jazz, soul, latin jazz, future jazz and acid jazz. This was Dingwalls (so called) and it ran from October ‘86 the March 3rd 1991 and “Sunday Afternoon At Dingwalls celebrates the 20th anniversary of its beginnings…read more
Palm World Voices: Mandela DVD
On October 11th 2006 in honour of the Father of modern South Africa, Palm Pictures presents “Palm World Voices: Mandela” as part of a special multimedia evening with screening and exhibition at the RITZY CINEMA followed by live performances from Khethi (South Africa) and Zena Edwards plus AFROGROOV DJs upstairs at the Ritzy Café…read more
Global Local is an exciting new project aimed at developing and showcasing opportunities for emerging artists in Music – and it’s the place to find the finest in Global music. 25 events featuring between 4 & 6 acts will be performing right across London at all the major festivals in the next 2 years. Many of these acts tour internationally and have appeared at landmark festivals such as WOMAD – they have remixed their culture with the multiplicity of sounds that breed and blend in cosmopolitan London…read more
Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi – Wonai
Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi is Zimbabwe’s biggest selling artist – a giant of African pop worldwide – and “Wonai” contains 15 of his best songs. Oliver’s music is undeniably joyfully seductive but his lyrics in Shona & English often deal with social & economic issues, political turmoil and the horrific AIDS epidemic sweeping the African continent. Oliver’s appeal crosses generations and international boundaries: one of Oliver’s biggest fans is Bonnie Raitt – Oliver was her inspiration for the song “One Belief Away” on her album ‘Fundamental’…read more.
No matter whether his themes are Township-based, straight ahead Bop or Ellington-inspired, the melancholic, yearning sigh that is the signature of South Africa’s distinctive style comes through in all of Bheki Mseleku’s playing. Maybe it’s a reflection of his country’s painful history – for America’s Deep South read South African blues – but it’s a quality you hear in all the South African greats from Abdullah Ibrahim to Hugh Masekela to the Mahotella Queens. Even the overtly joyous tunes have a been-down-so-long-it-feels-like-up-to-me edge and, make no mistake, Bheki’s body of work puts him up there with his more celebrated countryfolk…read more.
Louie Vega Presents – Luisito Quintero
“I’ve always had the idea of recording an album based on Luisito Quintero as lead percussionist. With the blessing of Tito Puente (who respected Luisito as a musician) I told Luisito that one day I would want to record an album with him. And so be it!” (Louie Vega) – one half of Masters At Work presents a brand new project…read more
Gypsy Beats and Balkan Bangers – Compiled by Russ Jones (Future World Funk) and Felix Buxton (Basement Jaxx)
Note: See details of the two funky album launch parties here.
Gypsy music is making its way to the centre stage accumulating accoutrements on its travels – ranging from the James Bond Theme performed inna Gypsy Ska stylee to Cumbia cut–ups, dubwise diversions, Indian influences and exclusive Brixton Basement remixes courtesy of Felix B…read more.
Gigi Returns with Long-Awaited Second solo Album ‘Gold & Wax’
After five years Ethiopian singer Ejigayehu “Gigi” Shibabaw returns with the much anticipated, Gold & Wax, an organic blend of African songs mixed with elements of Jamaica, India and America. After NY Times head music critic, Jon Pareles, cited her debut Gigi as the “best obscure album of 2001,” she dazzled international audiences as both solo performer and part of Tabla Beat Science and Abyssinia Infinite…read more
Sunday Driver – DVD
Before “Pimp My Ride”, there were the Lowriders. Featuring the guys behind the chrome, SUNDAY DRIVER provides viewers with an intimate and entertaining portrait of the lowrider community in Los Angeles, California with the same compelling entertainment content found in Rockstar’s award-winning video games…read more.
Louis Mhlanga – World Traveller
Louis Mhlanga, the “African Axe Man”, is an exceptional Zimbabwean guitarist, now based in South Africa, and “World Traveller” is his first UK release after a notable career flitting between African forms and the smoother end of Jazz. One minute on a “Rumba All The Way” trip with Senegal’s finest: Orchestra Baobab; the next “Spreading Some Love”, and trading phrases, with the similarly inclined Jamaican guitar legend, Ernest Ranglin…read more
Turntablism is to playing records what Tiger Woods is to golf, or Jimi Hendrix to the electric guitar – creating on a level that leaves mere spinners awestruck. France’s Birdy Nam Nam are amongst the world’s finest exponents and they won the DMC World Team Battle in 2002 to prove it. BNN are Little Mike, DJ Pone, DJ Need and Crazy B. They have been around in the French underground for many years rocking the biggest soirées and backing up illustrious rap outfits…read more.
Since their ‘Bari’ album was released in March ‘04 Spanish collective Ojos De Brujo have toured the world picking up fans, shifting CDs and winning awards along the way. Their spectacular show at Glastonbury 2004 was featured in the TV broadcast and they also appeared on Later with Jools Holland. But for those of you who need an introduction:…read more.
Fuelled by the tropical heat of Santiago de Cuba, rammed by the relentless up-”ching” of ska tres and driven to the edge of sanity by the crazy melodies and galloping rhythms of the Caribbean – this is dance floor propellant with more octane than a ski-ing llama…read more.
Despite the fact that there is currently a surfeit of female singer/songwriters, London-born, Los Angeles-based Sylvie Lewis stands out as something extremely special – her songs of love and loss and their sweet and sour poignancy allied to intelligence, wit and indestructible, imperious melodies…read more.
The idea behind “Girando Barí” is to share the fabulous entertaining spirit of Ojos de Brujo. Because the band was formed through live shows, jams and encounters with other artists, the release of this DVD is fully justified. It tells, in a spontaneous way, what the band stands for in 2005. This is what they are, a live act ready to tread its own path with a strong artistic concept…read more.
Palm World Voices – DVD Series
Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, Palm Pictures and critically acclaimed Island Outpost boutique resorts in the Caribbean, is pleased to announce the launch of his latest venture – Palm World Voices – the first release of the most ambitious world music series ever created. The very latest lifestyle product offering a totally new multi-media experience. Targeted at the well-travelled, cultured and aspiring individuals, Palm World Voices is a unique and collectable series of world music beautifully gift-packaged to include a CD, DVD and accompanying book and poster map, illustrated by the National Geographic Society. The first three editions will be launched together, Vedic Path illustrating Indian music, an African edition and thirdly a Baaba Maal edition, focusing on music from the Senegalese music artist…read more
Gilles Peterson – BBC Sessions CD
The BBC Sessions is Gilles Peterson’s pride and joy – his most important body of work. Over the past five or so years, Mr P has been quietly building up a body of work: inviting old friends and peers from his world-wide travels to jam, experiment, collaborate, lay down something new; forecasting and championing new acts long before the commercial and artistic vindication in which he had played a part became widely accepted; a musical record that in its depth and contemporary relevance is as important as any, comparable to those very rare albums that come along and change our perceptions and define an era…read more.
Gilles Peterson – …In Brazil CD
Quite simply Gilles Peterson has been one the world’s most influential DJs for many years. By that we’re definitely not talking about a DJ whose playlist trails any and every passing trend. Over time Gilles has become the rootsy, funky, jazzy John Peel for the boho, post-goatee rainbow coalition. Gilles leads the way having taken up residency on the cutting edge. As a broadcaster, DJ, album compiler and record company A+ R his way of relating and applying the world of music has touched countless listeners and dancers as well as influencing and inspiring an abundance of DJs and respected searchers for musical truth…read more.
Gilles Peterson – …In Africa CD
After the huge success of Gilles Peterson in Brazil, he travels back to the source with Gilles Peterson in Africa. Gilles plays such a wide a range of music, and has done for the longest time, that he could put together compilations in any genre from post-rock to folk funk and they would all be credible. His influential radio shows on Radio London, Jazz FM, Kiss FM and now Radio 1 have entertained and informed millions worldwide…read more.
Brazilian singer/composer Katia B has delivered an album full of lush melodies and classy arrangements and she’s equally at home singing in her native Portuguese as well as in English…read more.
Silhouette Brown features two of the leading lights of the hugely exciting London broken beat scene and with this album the standard has been raised to a whole new level. More melodic, more sexy, more poised. Each play will offer you a deeper interpretation of a seemingly unostentatious approach to music. In truth, this record is riddled with diverse layers of sound and complexity. Subtle perhaps, intoxicating for sure…read more.
Part documentary, part music film and part sci-fi, The Nomi Song is a story of love of music and love of performing at a time when it seemed as though everyone was struck by a sense of urgency to make something – anything. A time of no limits. Klaus Nomi was on the verge of international fame as a singer when he tragically became one of the first gay artists to die of AIDS. He was as much a genuine talent as he was the engine of his own destruction. He was an alien amongst the outcasts and an obviously tortured soul who, at the same time, radiated optimism when optimism was “officially” out of fashion…read more.
