#4561, African Roots, Western Instruments
Listen to music that marries sounds of Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe to the sounds of western instruments; there’s Omar Sosa’s piano and Seckou Keita’s kora, Justin Adams’ electric guitar and its desert rock vibes, London’s Balimaya Project playing traditional instruments of the Mandé peoples of West Africa, and ÌFÉ’s autotune and electronics.
Hear music from the dreamy and graceful new record SUBA by Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, and Senegalese kora master Seckou Keita accompanied by Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles (who also appeared on the gorgeous collaborative record Transparent Water.) The word “SUBA” means ‘sunrise’ in Mandinka, Keita’s native language, and the concept of the record is peace, hope and unity.
Also, listen to music from London's Balimaya Project, led by composer/arranger and Djembe player, Yahael Camara Onono. The project combines traditional sounds of the Mandé peoples of West Africa - talking drums, balafon, shekere, and djembe, together with kora - together with searing guitar and full horn arrangements. There’s also North African grooves from British producer and guitarist Justin Adams in collaboration with Italian violinist, percussionist, and bandleader of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Mauro Durante.
Also, listen to Puerto Rican band ÌFÉ, founded by New Orleans based producer and percussionist Otura Mun, where Afro-Cuban folklore and Yoruban religious music merge with the bass driven sounds of modern day Jamaican Dancehall, Trap and Afro-Beats. There’s self-described “Wakanda-esque” music by Congolese Québécois singer songwriter Pierre Kwenders, with producer Tendai Maraire (Shabazz Palaces). Plus, hear music by Dumisani Maraire for Kronos Quartet, along with music by Monoswezi, a collective of musicians originally from Mozambique, Norway, Sweden and Zimbabwe. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4561, African Roots, Western Instruments (First Aired 11/15/2021)
ARTIST: Pierre Kwenders
WORK: Zongo [1:00]
RECORDING: MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time
SOURCE: Bonsound
INFO: therealpierrekwenders.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita
WORK: Voices on the Sea [4:26]
RECORDING: SUBA
SOURCE: bendegedig
INFO: https://naxos.lnk.to/SUBAEL
ARTIST: Balimaya Project
WORK: City of God [10:20]
RECORDING: Wolo So
SOURCE: Jazz re:freshed
INFO: balimayaproject.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Pierre Kwenders
WORK: Zongo [4:08]
RECORDING: MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time
SOURCE: Bonsound
INFO: therealpierrekwenders.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: ÌFÉ
WORK: Prayer to Shango [5:42]
RECORDING: 0000 + 0000
SOURCE: Mais Um Discos
INFO: grupoife.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Justin Adams and Mauro Durante
WORK: Volos [3:45]
RECORDING: Still Moving
SOURCE: Ponderosa Records
INFO: ponderosa.it
ARTIST: Justin Adams (feat. Anneli Drecker)
WORK: Wassoulou [3:26]
RECORDING: Ribbons
SOURCE: Proper Music
INFO: propermusic.com
ARTIST: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita
WORK: No One Knows [5:43]
RECORDING: SUBA
SOURCE: bendegedig
INFO: https://naxos.lnk.to/SUBAEL
ARTIST: Monoswezi
WORK: Hwiri Hwiri Hwiri [3:48]
RECORDING: Shanu
SOURCE: Riverboat Records
INFO: worldmusic.net
ARTIST: Kronos Quartet with Dumisani Maraire, vocals, mbira
WORK: Dumisani Maraire: Kutambarara (Spreading) [1:38]
RECORDING: Pieces of Africa
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records 79275
INFO: nonesuch.com
