Greetings,
I am in lucky position, since I started selling recordings of the Mandinka kora --
a harp lute from West Africa -- back in 1996. I gained access to a whole world of music
beyond traditional African. Here are some of my favorites discs, several of them are not
listed at the web site, email for compete details.)
> Do you have a "sampler" disc with a cut or two of each artist?
You can audition Mp3 samples on my site, as I do not own the music I can not legally
put out a sampler disc. You can hear some of the artists on 'net radio. I have linked
up a few streaming radio stations that play 'world music'. Also check out BBC radio 3,
it's a great place to discover new tracks!!!
World Music Recommendations
Mamadou Diabate is kora player from Mali, his solo debut, " Behmanko" and his new trio
recording "Heritage" are nicley recorded via Pro Tools using hi-end microphones like AKG and Neumann.
Both of these instrumental world music releases make for an enjoyable listening.
Check out the samples at:
http://www.mamadoukora.com/pages/recordings.htmlhttp://www.coraconnection.com/pages/catalog_order.html#tungaHot Pick: -- Zappa meets techno with some Indian classical in the mix, sweet!
State Of Bengal Vs Paban Das Baul -- the Yellow Album
Super layered, makes for superb demo disc.
www.realworldrecords.comThis unique collaboration brings together Paban Das Baul – a leading figure
among Bengal’s legendary Baul singers – and Sam Zaman, king of the British Asian
breakbeat scene. It brings a folk culture that is more than 500 years old into
the thrilling digital soundscapes of the 21st century. (more descriptive text is available on request.)
Looking for popping Drummin Disc?
Guem "African Percussions for Trance" & "African Percussions for Dance" (French Import)
Imagine going in to a 24 track studio with all of your drums and percussion
and laying down deep grooves, that Guem's recordings bring to the table.
Guem is a phenomenal African percussionist who came to France when he was 16 to
become a professional football player. Instead of this he introduced his crazy
African rhythmical patterns to the European avant garde jazz scene (Michel
Portal, Steve Lacy...). He also released 7 solo albums mostly on French ethnic
music label Le Chant Du Monde. (more descriptive text is available on request.)
Boubacar Traoré Macire (French import)
HDCD disc, audiophile grade!
On this recording he is joined by the cream-de-la-cream of Malian musicians:
Habib Koité, Kélétigui Diabaté! A great booklet with full color photos make this a nice
treat. Makes a great gift for folks new to African music.
Kar Kar is by far the most cult Malian guitarist. His Mali Twist accompanied the
wild post-independence years before he disappeared for a period of twenty years.
He was the Malian Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, however, his music only being
broadcasted on the radio, he didn’t even have enough money for a packet of
cigarettes.
more at: <http://www.label-bleu.com/artist.php?lng=e&artist_id=93>
Ba Cissoko band's music, is hot and fresh. Out Guineé, West Africa comes this whirlwind of African fusion & electronica. His debut release 'Sabolan' is the antithesis of 99% of kora recordings out there. Lead singer Ba
Cissoko lays down the grove with his kora while his brother Sekou Kouyaté puts
his kora through electronics, creating screaming lead riffs. When I put this disc on I hear elements of rock,
reggae -- audition the Mp3s:
http://www.coraconnection.com/pages/other_cds.html#sabolanRelax with peaceful India Classical music
Hariprasad Chaurasia, is the recognized master of the Bansuri bamboo flute.
Power & Grace Vol1 & Vol2, U.K. Sense Music
These two CDs captured a live concert preformed by master musicians
of the flute and tabla. With out doubt this truly divine sublime music.
More about the artist can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hariprasad_ChaurasiaShivkumar Sharma & Zakir Hussain - Raga Puriya Kalyan - German import
http://www.worldnetwork.de/produkte-produkte_worldnetwork-pid-118-en.htmlThe 'santur' is the cousin of the hammered dulcimer and if you like kora and acoustic string music,
you owe it to yourself to discover this instrument. This recording features some world finest
Indian classical musicians performing their special mystical music.
Incredible choir recording:
Powers of Heaven Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Paul Hiller -- Harmonia Mundi
Here is the CD that you will want to listen to this in a semi dark room, and let the music envelope you.
Breathtaking, light, mystical.
"Dramatic" Kotaro Oshio -- superbly recorded solo acoustic guitar, kind in between folk and classical.
"Guitar Finger Style" (Vol1 & Vol2) a Narada Collection. Dynamic and engaging guitar duets and solo pieces,
sonics perfect for enjoyment or demo a system. Special order only.
Into Latin music, in stock: "legend of cuban percussion" Patato label: Six Degrees
and Ray Barretto's "Time Was - Time Is" released by Harmonia Mundi, 'muy caliente'
Tubular Bells 2003 from Mike Oldfield, this is remix with John Cleese (Monty Python) doing a voice over
on the title track!
Karia Ben 'Singa' (Sterns UK 1996)
New music drawn from Wolof, Mandingo, Bobo and Bambara traditions
Featuring, Zou Diarra, Cheik Tidiane-Seck, Kelitigui Diabate and others
Music that seamlessly blends jazz with Manding music, blurring the edges of world music.
http://www.coraconnection.com/pages/other_cds.htmlAdama Diabate "Jake Baye" (Sterns UK 1995)
Modern Malian music with sweet female vocals, electric guitar, balophone
and guest appearance by kora virtuoso, Toumani Diabate.
RE: Get the Blues!
Just started listening to Rough Guide to the Blues (*07 new!), and it fills out my Blues collection
with lots of important artists that I have seemed to missed out on.
This 74 minute compilation of American blues leads off with a track from a 78rpm,
and is a great introduction to this early American music. This music very different from
what has been called 'African Blues', made famous by late Ali Farka Touré.
You can check this site for a track listing
http://www.worldmusic.net/ and request tracks on Dallas Blues radio http://www.knon.org/ (DFW's best kept secret!)
Touré recorded for National Radio service in his home country of Mali in the 70s,
for the French Sonodisc label in the 80s, and ever after for the World Circuit label in London.
In 1994, Touré collaborated with American guitarist Ry Cooder on the Grammy Award-winning
Talking Timbuktu.
http://www.afropop.org/explore/artist_info/ID/1/Ali%20Farka%20Tour%E9/Here are a few recent arrivals:
Ali Farka Touré Savanna World Circuit WCD075
Ali Farka Touré Red & Green World Circuit WCD070
Samples and such at:
http://www.worldcircuit.co.uk/Vieux Farka Touré’s self-titled World Village CD
Vieux Farka Touré -- look for him on youTube! Hot!!!
Also look out for a LIVE performance in your area end of February.
Copies of this excellent CD by son of the late great Ali Farka, will be
in stock in about a week!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvZHlgoYmJMhttp://www.vieuxfarkatoure.comVieux Farka Touré’s self-titled debut album was recorded in Bamako, Mali, at
Studio Bogalan and produced under the direction of Eric Herman and the guidance
of Toumani Diabaté, along with award-winning engineer Yves Wernert. Graced by
guest turns from Toumani Diabaté (on “Toure De Niafunké” and “Diabaté”) and Ali
Farka Touré (on “Tabara” and “Diallo”), the line-up also features other veteran
players such as Bassekou Kouyaté (ngoni), Seckou Touré (vocals), and Hassey
Sarré (njarka). Younger stars sit in as well, including Mamadou Koné (tama),
Adama Diarra (djembé), and Issa Bamba, whose powerful yet agile voice has often
been compared to that of Salif Keita. Like his father before him, Vieux seems to
envision each tune in overview while eschewing virtuosity for its own sake,
inexorably constructing one cumulative yet fiery, melodic trajectory after
another. The term “African blues” is only partly accurate, although the parallel
Malian and American tributaries almost certainly sprang from a common source.
But whether originating from near or far, depending on where the listener
stands, the two traditions share a dusty, sun-struck, languid elegance that
remains profoundly redolent of the Motherland. Thus, adventurous fans of
celebrated Mississippi Delta stylists like John Lee Hooker will find themselves
transported, too.
"This album covers a lot of stylistic ground but coheres wonderfully, aided by
subtle arranging touches, allowing a voice to emerge here, a backing guitar or
flute melody there, just enough to provide shape without disturbing the music’s
jammy, organic essence." - Banning Eyre, AFROPOP WORLDWIDE
Does any of this sound interesting? Please email me for details on placing an ordering or
just visit the web site to learn more about West African music.
Happy Exploring,
Dave Gilden // member of American Federation of Musicians Local 72-147
reseller for: Harmonia Mundi/WEA/RYKO/Rounder/Allegro/Sterns/Narada/Real World
(kora musician / audiophile / webmaster @
www.coraconnection.com / Ft. Worth, TX, USA)
