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 REBEL WOMAN Zimbabwe's CHIWONISO
(Cambuncha/Fuse, Sept 2008) is a spirited CD with soaring vocals, classic Southern African pop sounds, and through it all, the uplifting presence of the mbira. Although born in Washington, Chiwoniso's strong Zimbabwean parentage meant she was playing the mbira by the age of four. This CD has been soaring up the European World Music charts. Despite her international influences, Chiwoniso's roots are firmly tied to Zimbabwe where she returned by her teenage years. In the upbeat 'Gomo' you can enter the trance-like state of traditional Shona ceremonies. And on "Matsotsi" she sings of tough economic times. Also see: www.cumbancha.com/chiwoniso
 ASA (Filter/Shock, 2008) by Franco-NIGERIAN artist Asa is not traditional African, but a funky, breezy, contemporary pop album with important messages delivered in smooth vocals. It's catchy, and after only one or two listens, you find yourself (and any children around!), singing along to tracks like 'Jailer' which - although about slavery - has you dancing in the sunshine. She sings in English, and also her native Yoruba (eg. the track Eyue Adaba (dove), with some nice acoustic guitar. Asa says, "I want to show the world that something beautiful and positive can come out of the black continent and inspire young people all over the world." Also see:
video (Jailer) on www.dailymotion.com
Asa official website
CD Reviews - Archives
 Lost & Found by Shasha Marley
Recorded with the Wailers Band and featuring Junior Marvin, this CD from touring Ghanaian reggae star Shasha Marley is a supreme play at this busy time of the year: soothing reggae beat, spiritual vibes, political beats, African sunshine, street life - and what a voice!! You'll soon find yourself sneaking that red, green and yellow CD into car, bus, loungeroom & friends' stereos - and nobody will be offended! A treat for those who love or only occasionally listen to reggae. A special Australian tour edition.
 Introducing Kenge Kenge
(World Music Network, July 2007) While there are some exciting new vibes emerging from the Kenyan music scene (hiphop fusions included), it's always good to have a dance to some good old Kenyan 'benga' style pop - this Introducing Kenge Kenge CD a fine example. 'Benga' emerged from a fusion of sorts when Kenyan Luo musicians (from the region near Lake Victoria where Kenya borders central Africa) were inspired by Congo musicians to play traditional instruments in modern electric bands. This CD celebrates Benga's acoustic roots - 'Kenge Kenge' roughly translates as a 'fusion of small, exhilirating instruments, and the line-up on this CD includes a spot of the orutu (1-string fiddle), nyagile (gong) and a dedication to the energetic Luo dance form 'Otenga' (involving rapid shoulder movements). Also see information about benga on AfroPop Worldwide
 Acoustic Africa, various artists, Putumayo
An antidote to the more synthesized sounds emerging from Africa in recent decades, it's all crystal clear guitars, woody drums, sweet, sweet voices, including some popular favourites like Habib Koité (Mali), Angelique Kidjo (Benin) and Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa). Acoustic music is a broad term, and this CD focusses mainly on West African artists, so don't expect a 'definitive' Africa guide (for eg, there is a good slice of the East missing here). It's mainly gentle, mellow tracks, acoustic but not raw (or 'tribal'). Check out links on Putumayo website.
 Vox Congo's new CD 'Kinanga'
means 'good news' in Congo-speak - and is indeed 'good news' in Australia. Having a locally-based Congo music set to enjoy "live" is a great luxury, and now you can bring Vox Congo into the train, the car, or your loungeroom. This debut CD is African gospel set to often lively Congo beats. The band blend touches of soukous, gospel, zouk, rumba, reggae, aguaya and pende folk rhythms - a fine musical appetite they acquired as an elite music group in Congo's capital Kinshasa, before coming to Australia on the back of the country's devastating civil war. Here, they've been spreading the word on the joys of African music with energetic performances in Melbourne, Adelaide and beyond.
'Double Check', the new CD from Stella Chiweshe
is a timely reminder of the great Zimbabwean music scene. Despite the negative news on Zimbabwe, there is still much to celebrate in Zimbabwean song and culture - something that Stella Chiweshe does with pride and flourish on this double CD. She dedicates the first CD to some Zimbabwean spiritual trance tracks, inspired by her traditional Shona culture. The blood-pumping drums and rythms don't disappoint. Then the second CD has bubbly Zimbabwean pop, evoking the streets and lively music bars of urban Harare. At the heart of it all is the sound of the Mbira, Zimbabwe's traditional thumb piano, which sounds like rain on the roof, tapping on hollow glass, a beautiful xylophone - relate it to what you will. Stella, (nicknamed "Ambuya Chinyakare", grandmother of traditional music), is one of Zimbabwe's first and most famous female Mbira experts. On this CD she exploits its power to the max in beautiful fusions of traditional Shona sounds and modern rythmic pop, studded with Stella's tireless vocals. For more on Stella see Stella Chiweshe website. For more on the Mbira, see www.mbira.org/
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Balla et ses Balladins, The Syliphone Years (2008, Stern Music)
This is a great CD compilation of hits and rare recordings from the classic Guinean dance music group Balla et ses Balladins, formed in 1959 under Guinea President Sékou Touré’s Authenticité initiative to counter the spread of French colonial culture. Australian academic and West African music expert Graeme Counsel prepared extensive, easy-to-read sleeve notes on the CD, which tell the story of the songs, the band, the music, the label (Syliphone) and its backdrop in Guinean history. The music is lively, bubbling and meaningful, greatly evoking the excitement of African dance bands in the '60s & '70s, which had such an impact on African music for years to come. Also see:
Track samples - Stern Music
Wikipedia Balla et ses Balladins
Radio Africa song translations
 Epiphany by Egyptian Australian Joseph Tawadros We are long overdue for a look at Egyptian Australian Oud master Joseph Tawadros CD releases - we were last entranced by his 'Storyteller' CD several years ago, and have only just recently discovered his beautiful recent recordings on Epiphany (JT 2007), Winner of Limelight Award 2007 "Best World Music Achievement" and nominated for an Australian Recording Industry Award (ARIA) "Best World Music Album 2007", and also including music from James Tawadros & Ben Rodgers (Bass). Another recent release is Angel (JT 2008). Although born in 1983, Joseph's music has a real maturity, depth of emotion and beauty capable of moving even the most discerning listener. His mastery of, and versatlity with the Oud (Arabic stringed instrument) must be heard to be believed! Vibrant and lively or slow and moving, you can pluck tracks out at random, and still be impressed with the depth and range. Also see:
Joseph Tawadros website
CD Reviews - Archives
 Rough Guide To North African Cafe (World Music Network, July 2007) Nice winter warmer! Mint tea, a spot of Moroccan rice pudding (see africanOz Food if you're looking for ideas...) And this. An energetic refreshing medley of songs from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt. With some nice rhythms and the passion of North African voices (telling you all those stories even if you don't understand the lyrics) it's a pleasant way to spend a chilly afternoon, sipping tea and watching the world go by. Also see Wikpedia - North African music
 Think Global West Africa is another nice looking, sounding and 'acting' CD (with 100% recycled card cover & promoting Amnesty International). It is a nice taste of West African artists spread across the musical & geographic landscape of Wassoulou, Wodaabe, Sahel, Manding peoples. Some great talent including Mory Kante, Daby Balde, Boubacar Traore. You can read more about the CD on www.worldmusic.net
 Mapambano from the Golden Pride Children's Choir, (who played at Womadelaide earlier this year) is very earthy and very African - with the voices of around 46 school children from Tanzania's rural villages flooding out of the stereo. Play it and you can see dust on the bus window as you hurtle along a pot-holed road - passing grassy savannah, acacia trees, and the odd giraffe. The CD also has an Australian connection, with the choir empowered by an Australian mining engineer working there. But the flavour and voices are overwhelmingly African, with a joy, a passion, and a commitment ('mambano' means struggle) to all that Africa is and can become. A few listens and you could find yourself filled with a sudden 'patriotism' for Tanzania (even if you've never been there), singing along to such catchy Swahili choruses as "Tanzania, unapendeza nchi yangu" (Swahili for 'you are my beautiful country'). For more on the choir see www.goldenpridechoir.org For more on the Australian involvement see Aust Volunteers International
 Sigil from Senegalese musician Nuru Kane is rich in acoustics, with influences at crossroads over the Sahara. At one end, there is Moroccan 'gnawa' music (trance music originating amongst black African slaves in Marrakech). Then there is Mali blues - the guitar, the bluesy vocals. It is all mixed into one beautiful series of tracks that Nuru Kane seems to wander through with ease: sometimes poetic, sometimes hypnotic, often evocative of other 'African desert music' (if there is such a thing!) rythmic, stirring, impassioned, but never 'in your face'. The gnawa trance influence includes Nuru playing the guimbri (a three-stringed acoustic bass) and musicians playing other North and West African sounds: the oud, guitar, sanza, n’goni and tama. To many this is Afrofusion music, with European influences as well at work. But trying to pigeon-hole Kane is time wasted. Just have a listen. And enjoy. More about Nuru Kane on www.worldmusic.net
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african musicians in Oz
listening links:
African radio in Oz
africanOz interviews:
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info links:
Venues
World Music Café - Traditional and contemporary world music performances at North Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Nexus Cabaret and Nexus Gallery Nexus Multicultural Arts Centre, Lion Arts Centre, Cnr. North Terrace & Morphett Street, Adelaide. Ph: (02) 8212 4276
Safari Klub - Melbourne. Now at 2FiveFive, 255 Swanston Street, Melbourne City. Info: 0421 759497, or safariklub@hotmail.com
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