Music Wire: News for the global urban generation

Wendo Kolosoy: return of the king of rumba

admin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:20:24 +0000

Wendo Kolosoy, the veteran World music star, has released an album of material recorded in 2004 on the IglooMondo label. Kolosoy is hailed as the father of the rumba, having helped shape the style already in the fifties and sixties. “Banaya Papa Wendo” features 10 tracks with old sparring partners such as Jean-Louis Kayala Bikunda on bass and Vula Diankatu Missy on guitar.
Wendo Kolosoy on Amazon.fr

Born in 1925 in the northeast of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Wendo was initially a mechanic on the riverboats that ply the River Congo.

The definitive crooner on African stages and singer-songwriter of hits that marked the history of African music, Wendo eternalised the characters of his songs on dozens of 78s, notably for the Ngoma label.

Precursor or inventor of the Congolese rumba, he was also at turns protected and then harassed by his country’s politicians. “Marie Louise”, one of the songs to which the Congolese at the time attributed the magic virtue of being able to awaken the dead, was considered a Satanic tune by the Catholic Church. The song was excommunicated and Wendo had to flee to Kisangani.

His story is mixed with that of a whole continent. It is far more complex that these few anecdotes. What is important is the music we offer you here: perhaps the last recording of a voice polished by life, by the years. A voice that is rough, wild and funny, that bears its own story and passes on the pain, madness and lust for life and singing that is Wendo Kolosoy.

“Banaya Papa Wendo” is the second release of Kolosoy on the same label, following “Nani akolela Wendo?” in 1993.

For details, visit IglooMondo.

Checkpoint 303 to appear in Berlin

admin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:30:31 +0000

Checkpoint 303 - the Palestinian/Tunisian/French outfit that bills itself as “free tunes from occupied territories” - will perform a DJ set at the legendary Tacheles alternative art-house in the center of Berlin on Thursday 7th of February, 2008. The gig will take place at the opening of a photography exhibition organized in collaboration between Tacheles Kunsthaus and the Conflict Zone Art Asylum network. The show starts @ 7 pm (Free entry).

Baloji brings African rap to Paris

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:06:32 +0000

Although it was only released in Belgium, one of our favourite albums in 2007 was “Hotel Impala” by Baloji. This Belgian rapper of Congolese origin has created an album that spans Hip-Hop, 70s soul, Afro Beat and chanson - quite a programme. The breakout single was “Congo”, a 7-minute masterpiece.

Baloji will be bringing his show to the Cafe de la Danse in Paris (5 Passage Louis Philippe, 75011) on February 15 before travelling around France later.

Click through for the full dates in France and Switzerland and the full version of “Congo”.

20/02: Grand Mix (Tourcoing), + The Heavy - more info
29/03: Cabaret Electric (Le Havre), + James Deano - more info
01/04: L’Autre Canal (Nancy), + Beat Assaillant - more info
03/04: Ninkasi Kao (Lyon), + Hollie Smith - more info
04/04: L’Atelier (Cluses) 05/04: La Cigale - Festival Blue Note (Paris) - more info
08/04: Rockstore (Montpellier), + Hollie Smith - more info
09/04: Cully Jazz Festival (Cully, Suisse) - more info
10/04: La Défense - Festival Chorus des Hauts de Seine (Paris), + David Walters - more info
10/05: Le Noumatrouff (Mulhouse) - more info
30/05: Festival Europavox (Vichy), + Hocus Pocus

Didier Awadi stands against EU-African pact

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:34:32 +0000

Senegal’s Didier Awadi, formerly of the pioneering Hip-Hop act Positive Black Soul, has made a strong stand against the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries. Like many people, he feels it is too heavily balanced in favour of the EU. The debate is a very complex one, involving international trade, aid, GATT and the World Trade Organisation.

Awadi has recorded “On ne signe pas” (we’re not signing) to highlight the issue, which has already been addressed by numerous bodies. Ultimately, Awadi feels that the pact will make African more dependent on Europe rather than more independent. It requires substantial access to African markets in exchange for freer trade. Many people argue that what is needed is more support for African business rather than the arrival of well-financed competitors. To see the clip of “On ne signe pas”, visit Studio Sankara.

Orchestra National de Barbes release next February

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:57:02 +0000

From having seen them a few months ago, I can safely say that France’s Orchestre National de Barbès is one hot live band. They have been gigging for years already, spreading their raï sounds across Europe. The band recently signed with the French indie label Wagram, and a new album, “Alik”, is foreseen in February of next year.

For a sample, check the Alik mini-site.

Wyclef-Jean, Jimmy Rosemond and Akon “give back” to Haiti

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:57:39 +0000

On December 15, 2007, a trio of music heavyweights, Wyclef-Jean, Jimmy Rosemond and Akon will travel to Haiti for a charitable endeavor spearheaded by Mr. Rosemond and Wyclef Jean. Yele Fest will tour local schools and the notorious child prison in Port-au-Prince to shed light on the current plight in Haiti of increasing poverty, weakened education, medical care, nutrition and housing. Yele Fest was organized to bring musical artists to Haiti to help promote tourism and convey the message that the country is safe and the doors are open for people to experience the music and art of Haitian culture.

The idea was derived when Wyclef, Jimmy Rosemond and Akon came together and discussed how they could give back to their respective countries. An agreement was met that Akon would travel to Haiti where Mr. Rosemond and Wyclef Jean are from, in turn for Wyclef going to Senegal to perform for a major benefit that Akon and the government of West Africa are giving in 2008. Mr. Rosemond will personally donate 5000 polo style shirts for the school children to wear and to be given as gifts in the poor sections of the country.

According to Wyclef Jean: “I will use all of my influence and power to fulfill my role as Ambassador to Haiti and along with Jimmy Rosemond and Akon, we hope that our goodwill efforts will touch the world and inspire charitable giving. Says Akon: “I have always been involved in the upliftment of my people and Haitians and Africans are one.” Said Mr. Rosemond the organizer of the project: “I am ecstatic to be a part of this great event in Haiti, and to have two great artists on stage together in a small island like Haiti will show the world that Haiti is on course to rebuilding its’ stature in the Caribbean. It is also monumental that a rap artist such as Wyclef has been named an official ambassador to Haiti and that too it is cause for celebration.”

This is not the first time Jimmy Rosemond and Wyclef Jean have made charitable contributions and a few years ago they traveled to the forgotten district of Citi Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, for a mission to bring exposure to the political and economic plight of the Haitian people. Further, just last year, Mr. Rosemond traveled to Jamaica as part of a humanitarian mission with Upliftment Jamaica and he has worked with Rev. Al Sharpton on various “stop the violence” efforts as part of his commitment to inspiring other music industry leaders to join forces and do the same.

Jimmy Rosemond manages recording artist Game and is CEO of Czar-Entertainment. To his credit, Mr. Rosemond has orchestrated over 20 million records sold over the last decade and is a managerial powerhouse in music, sports and entertainment.

Lord Ekomy N’Dong brings African rap to Paris

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:37:02 +0000

One of the most impressive Hip-Hop producers outside the US happens to be one of the least known. Lord Ekomy N’dong is an innovative producer from Gabon that offers one of the savviest combinations of African sounds and a massive contemporary Hip-Hop vibe. His first album, “L’Afrikain”, played on a loop in our office two years ago. He is now back with a new one, “On détient la harpe sacrée, Tome II” (We hold the sacred harp, volume II) and a first major show in Paris at the Elysée Montmartre on December 21 with Maât Seignieur Lion. This is conscious Hip-Hop with a funky and rootsy twist. Highly recommended. For details and music, check Movaizhaleine.

Les Nubians live in New York

admin — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:54:07 +0000

The French Hip-Hop duo Les Nubians will be appearing in New York before the New Year. The sisters play a neat style that has been summed up as “Afropean hip-hop with R&B”, singing in French and English. ‘Princesses Nubiennes’ (Higher Octave/Virgin) was the most successful French-language album in more than a decade of Billboard charts. Since then, they have traveled the world, soaking up the sounds of reggae, afro-beat, pop and electronica while collaborating with a host of respected musicians.

Lion’s Den, 214 Sullivan between Bleecker & W. 3rd, NYC

Fri. Dec. 28th
8:30pm Doors

“Gaza Calling”

admin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:40:03 +0000

With Middle East talks more or less on track, the Palestinian-Tunisian outfit Checkpoint 303 have released a new tune to the web called “Gaza Calling”. As a reminder, Gaza has been the subject of an air, land and sea blockade by Israel since Hamas took over there and following repeated missile attacks from the territories. “Gaza Calling” is based on a man’s attempt to get through to the UN to explain the living conditions there.

The track is typical Checkpoint 303: snappy Arabic percussion, angular electronics and the occasional oud. They appeared at a major festival in Montreal recently. For details and to hear “Gaza Calling” visit Checkpoint 303.

Taraf de Haidouks live on French radio

admin — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:58:01 +0000

Romania’s Taraf de Haidouks will be making a special appearance on the France Inter radio show “Le Pont des Artistes” on Saturday Nov 24. What’s the big deal? The release of a new album, called “Maskarada”. Over the years, countless musicians have taken their inspiration from Central European gypsy music. So now this Balkan big band are turning the tables and covering the music of Bartok, Khachaturian, Manuel de Falla, Kosma, Ketelbey, Albeniz and Liszt. Click through for links

“Le pont des artistes” can be found on France Inter. The Taraf will be touring Europe in January and February. Their MySpace page.