World Music Central

Dreamy L�vlid

Fri, 09 May 2008 03:58:26 -0400

Unni Løvlid

Rite (Grappa GRCD4223, 2008)

Unni Løvlid creates a dreamy sound that comes from the lands of the north that combines folk and chamber music, minimalism and ambience, generating a hauntingly beautiful sound. Norwegian singer Unni Løvlid, who is also a member of the trio Rusk, uses her voice in several different ways, mixing traditional style vocals with processed vocal sounds, creating fascinating effects.

On Rite, Lovlid presents a new set of ethe...

Malian Rokia Traor� Is Releasing �Tchamantch�and Will Be Touring Europe and North Africa

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:35:29 -0400

Paris, France - Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré is releasing her newest album, Tchamantche, this month, and will be touring Europe and North Africa. Ever since she was declared the “African Discovery of 1997” at the Angoulême Festival in France, Rokia Traoré hasn’t looked back. Now, more than ten years later, this fantastic singer and guitarist from Mali is releasing her fourth full-length album ...

Miami's JVC Jazz Festival Presents Brazilian Stars Jorge Ben Jor and Sergio Mendes May 17

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:32:25 -0400

JVC's Jazz Festival brings an eclectic exciting mix of bossa nova, pop and jazz the majestic Bayfront Park Amphitheater. The lineup will include the Grammy Award winning Sergio Mendes, R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, Brazilian artist Jorge Ben Jor and the Grammy nominated artist Ledisi.

Then, enjoy After Dark at the Oasis with performances by Raul Midón, The Yoruba Soul Orchestra featuring Osunlade, Quetzal Guerrero and Siji, plus DJ sets by Osunlade, Djinji Brown and Rainer Trüby at The Oasis at The Raleigh Hotel. JVC Jazz Festival:
Sergio Mendes - Anthony Hamilton - Jorge Ben Jor - Ledisi
Saturday, May 17th, 5 pm
Bayfront Park Amphitheater, Downtown Miam...

Persuasive Lure into a World of Wonder

Thu, 08 May 2008 03:57:27 -0400

Biomusique

The 10,000 Steps (Kosmic Music, 2008)

Combining the talents of singer/songwriter Lisbeth Scott, known for her musical collaborations on such movies as The Chronicles of Narnia, Munich and ...

Chicago Cultural Center Presents Klapa Grdelin, Music of Croatia

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:25:20 -0400

Chicago Cultural Center Presents (CCCP) is an ongoing showcase series that highlights critically acclaimed national and international musicians who are rarely seen by Chicago audiences in mainstream venues. On Sunday, May 11 at 6 pm, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs presents Klapa Grdelin from Zagreb. The concert takes place in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street. Admission is free.

Since 2000, Klapa Grdelin has been exploring and expanding its repertoire, which includes original Dalmatian songs arranged by famous composers and ethnomusicologists like Jakov Gotovac, Ljubo Stipišiÿ, Dinko Fio, Duško Tambaÿa and others. Klapa Grdelin has found a valuable source of songs in the rich musical heritage of the...

Stern Grove Festival Announces 71st Season of Admission-Free Concerts for Summer 2008

Wed, 07 May 2008 06:50:17 -0400

San Francisco (California), USA - Stern Grove Festival announced its 71st Season of 10 admission-free world music, Latin and roots music concerts, Sundays at 2:00 p.m. from June 15 through August 17, 2008 at Sigmund Stern Grove, located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in San Francisco. Since its founding in 1938, Stern Grove Festival has shared world-class performing arts with hundreds of thousands of visitors in one of the country’s most beautiful and unique natural settings.

June 15 – Booker T. Jones and Bettye LaVette

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Booker T. Jones is a legendary figure in the world of R&B and popular music. Both as a solo artist and with the MG’s, Jones has amassed an impressive string of hits, including the instrumental“Green Onions,...

The Global Electronica Princess of East Asia

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:48:10 -0400

Sa Dingding

Alive (Universal/Shanghai To-Wing Culture Development, 2008)

Chinese singer Sa Dingding is beginning to get well deserved worldwide attention thanks to her recent BBC World Music Award in the Asia/Pacific category. The key to her success is her captivating vocal style, together with Chinese and Tibetan traditions and instrumentation combined with cutting edge global grooves and electronica.

The photogenic vocalist sings in Mandarin Chinese, Sanskrit, Tibetan and also in an imaginary language she created. Sa Dingding is fascinated by Sanskrit and also incorporates evocative Tibetan Buddhism elements, such as mantras, adding vocal ensembles and chill out ambience as a counterbalance to the dance ori...

World Music Profiles. Nubenegra's Manuel Dominguez, World Music Pioneer and Survivor

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:59:27 -0400

World Music Central's Angel Romero recently visited Madrid, where he interviewed Manuel Domínguez, one of the key figures in the development of world music in Spain. Manuel Domínguez runs, together with Zazie Wurr, the renowned Nubenegra world music label.

Nubenegra has been a key label in the production of world music and folk in Spain. Which is it the current focus of the label?

It has not changed. Simply, we try to run less risks knowing that sales are going to be lower and that the majority of sales will be at concerts. This means that it is becoming more difficult to record singers who need to hire musicians, arrangers, etc. Therefore, our priority are groups that help with promotion by willing to tour for a promotional fee. Neither do I record anyone that doesn'...

Music Crossroads Launches Southern African Musicians into Cyberspace

Mon, 05 May 2008 05:41:14 -0400

Music Crossroads - Africa’s largest youth-music program – has launched its first official website. The site is now live and will definitely surprise audiences with the wealth of Southern African musical talent pouring from over 10 years of musical empowerment in Southern Africa.

The Music Crossroads website is packed full of information, enabling anybody to get involved: Participants can register for festivals, competitions and training programs; fans can find info on bands, tours, news and events; music lovers can sample the undiscovered music scenes of Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Supporters wanting to contribute can become active volunteers or make a donation to Southern African music; andt those looking for an unique African music festival experience can get all th...

Indian Innovators Shastriya Syndicate Unveil a Winner

Mon, 05 May 2008 03:08:36 -0400

Shastriya Syndicate

Syndicated (Sense World Music, 2008)

Shastriya Syndicate is Purbayan Chatterjee's project. On the outstanding CD Syndicated (Sense World Music) he has brought together a group of young Indian masters, who are bringing new blood to Indian classical music. The virtuoso musicians fuse the music of North India (HIndistani) and South Inda (Carnatic).

While many Indian artists follow the traditional format of...