Dig music, build something positive
The people over at Calabash Music have had a neat idea. Despite what many people think, the US spends less than 1% of its federal budget on foreign aid. As Calabash points out, “If everyone in the United States gave up one soft drink a month we could double our current aid to Africa. If everyone gave up one movie a year we could double our current aid to Africa and Asia.” But rather than get preachy and feeling guilty about the situation, Calabash are running a very simple promotion called “Tune Your World”. “If every American would buy 10 songs by African Artists — We would DOUBLE the amount of money the US is currently sending to Africa.”
So their idea is simple: get ten happening songs for just $7.99. I know Calabash Music. Two things you should know about them too: they have a really good selection of music, and as they work directly with musicians and labels from around the world, at least 50% of your money is going straight to the musicians and labels. What’s more, they are highlighting a number of interesting projects such as the Refugee All Stars, the Afrobeat Sudan Aid Project (featuring Antibalas, Tony Allen and the voice of Fela Kuti, no less) and Stop Excision.
By the way, this is not an American thing. It’s a music thing. Fantastic music is being produced across Africa, but we won’t hear it unless people like Calabash and, yes, Music Wire stick it under our noses. So for some tasty MP3s, visit Tune Your World and start browsing.
There is something decidedly cool about the vibraphone even though it’s not the type of instrument you hang out with or stick under your arm like Chet Baker or Lester Bowie. Yet over two albums, Pascal Schumacher and his Quartet have given the vibe a new burst of interest. They combine cool school competency with a patina of blues, which is all the more surprising as they come from tiny Luxembourg. Schumacher has recorded with Australia’s Kristen Cornwell and picked up a handful of awards. The albums “Change of the Moon” and “Personal Legend” have both been played a lot at the Music Wire office. Lyrical, stylish and yet still cool, this is jazz we could vote for.
