For this New Sounds, hear music that comes from here, but looks over there. It could be Arab music, Indonesian music, Moroccan music, Balkan music, or Ethiopian music, but it’s all music by Americans recreating sounds from elsewhere.
Listen to music by the Anbessa Orchestra, who are Israeli musicians based in Brooklyn (and now L.A.) who are fans of the “golden age” of Ethiopian music. From their most recent record, Negestat, which means Kings in Amharic, hear the Ethio-groove laden title track. There’s also music by David Yazbek, the composer and musician behind the Broadway musical, “The Band’s Visit” – featuring the band from the show.
Hear music by Afropop-funk-dance big band Antibalas – who are Brooklyn’s own purveyors of Afrobeat (in the tradition of the late Nigerian saxophonist, singer, bandleader and activist Fela Kuti). Then, listen to Austin, Texas-based group Money Chicha who look to '60s and '70s Peru and Columbia’s chicha music, with psychedelic, surf guitars, and melodies influenced by the indigenous culture of the Andes mountains.
There’s music by Innov Gnawa, a New York-based band who usually plays the traditional healing music of Morocco. However, on this track, the British musician and producer Bonobo (aka Simon Green) provides accompaniment to the trancey, rhythmic participatory music by Innov Gnawa rather than “inserting them into his own landscape.” (NPR Music)
Sample collaborative music by American pianist, singer, and producer Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman) and American composer Nico Muhly whose range includes everything from minimalism to choral music. Their forthcoming record, Peter Pears, contains songs written by the duo along with gamelan transcriptions by ethnomusicologist Colin McPhee that inspired the songs. Hear some samples from that record, “Taboeh-Teloe” and “Grendel.” Plus, music that looks to the Balkans from Slavic Soul Party and Moira Smiley.
PROGRAM #4101 Musicians From Here Playing Music From There First aired (4/12/2018)
ARTIST: David Yazbek
WORK: Soraya [1:11]
RECORDING: The Band's Visit Original Broadway Cast Recording
SOURCE: Ghostlight Records
INFO: Available at Amazon.com
ARTIST: David Yazbek
WORK: Haj Butrus [2:06]
RECORDING: The Band's Visit Original Broadway Cast Recording
SOURCE: Ghostlight Records
INFO: Available at Amazon.com
ARTIST: Anbessa Orchestra
WORK: Negestat [6:00]
RECORDING: Negestat
SOURCE/INFO: anbessaorchestra.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Money Chicha
WORK: 3 Balls [3:09]
RECORDING: Echo en Mexico
SOURCE: Vampisoul Records
INFO: munster-records.com
ARTIST: Antibalas
WORK: Ibeji [6:16]
RECORDING: Antibalas
SOURCE: Daptone Records DAP 028
INFO: daptonerecords.com
ARTIST: David Yazbek
WORK: Afifi [2:22]
RECORDING: The Band's Visit Original Broadway Cast Recording
SOURCE: Ghostlight Records
INFO: Available at Amazon.com
ARTIST: Thomas Bartlett and Nico Muhly
WORK: Taboeh-Teloe [4:44]
RECORDING: Peter Pears: Balinese Ceremonial Music
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records
INFO: Due May 18 | nonesuch.com
ARTIST: Thomas Bartlett and Nico Muhly
WORK: Grendel [4:30]
RECORDING: Peter Pears: Balinese Ceremonial Music
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records
INFO: Due May 18 | nonesuch.com
ARTIST: Bonobo ft. Innova Gnawa
WORK: Bambro Koyo Ganda [5:06]
RECORDING: Bambro Koyo Ganda
SOURCE/INFO: bonobomusic.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Moira Smiley & VOCO
WORK: Dream Dve Nevesti [2:32]
RECORDING: Laughter Out Of Tears
SOURCE/INFO: moirasmiley.com
ARTIST: Slavic Soul Party
WORK: Hymn [5:59]
RECORDING: Taketron
SOURCE: Barbes Records 0023
INFO: barbesrecords.com