artist - afrocultureblog.com

FLAVIA COELHO DNA TOUR

February 18 2020 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #music, #artist, #afroculture, #2020, #flaviacoelho

DNA Tour : JAZZ CAFE / LONDON Feb 20

WHO'S FLAVIA COELHO ?

Coelho has an effortless, relaxed style that almost disguises her skill at easing between the slinky melodies and bursts of rapid-fire hip-hop – The Guardian

Flavia has traveled all over the world. From the morros of Rio de Janeiro to the paved streets of Paris. The nomad is at home where she feels welcomed, and her music is made of this alchemy. It is immaterial, a cosmic vibration that moves in the air: from hot flashes of heat to icy breezes, it resonates at all latitudes. Flavia knows that too. Her singing has rang from raids to bus shelters, from café-concerts to the world's biggest festivals.

Flavia Coelho - Billy Django (Official Video)

Taken from her album "DNA", order now : https://FlaviaCoelho.lnk.to/AlbumDNAID 🎬 - Video credits Choreography : Fabio Aragão Choreography assistant : Mélodie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDgmwlSDdUo

Welcome to Flavia Coelho's official website.

"I've never felt better in my life," she says with her irresistible smile. Flavia Coelho is living her best days, both personal and artistic. This is reflected in her fourth album, DNA. A title as ...

https://www.flaviacoelhomusic.com

NEW ALBUM RELEASE NEMO BY KADIALY KOUYATE

February 12 2020 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #music, #artist, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2020, #kora

ALBUM RELEASE 17th April 2020

The name of the new album of Kadialy Kouyate "NEMO" means blessings. It's message is that it is the human values that bring prosperity to any country or place.

"This album is a combination of songs that define, in my opinion, the blessings︎ and sustenance back home" says Kadialy Kouyate.

Kadialy Kouyate is a musician, a singer songwriter inspired by the West African Griot repertoire. Born into the great line of Kouyate Griot in Southern Senegal, Kadialy︎’s mesmerising Kora playing and singing style have been appreciated in many prestigious venues as both a soloist and in different ensembles.

Jim Palmer is an English songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in Buckinghamshire UK.

Credit: all songs written & performed by Kadialy Kouyate and produced by Jim Palmer

For more info please visit the website or email your enquiries to kouyatekadialy@yahoo.fr

KADIALY KOUYATE

https://kouyatekadialy.com/

Kalakuta Republik: A place where freedom lives on !!

June 1 2019 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #carosika, #art, #artist, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2019, #kalakutarepublik

Part 1 "Without a story, we would go mad"

Provoking and non-conformist, Serge Aimé Coulibaly is transporting us in a world where Fela Kuti, the revolutionary icon that inspired the piece Kalakuta Republik, is displayed in 3D through his musical greatness, his murky and superstitious genius, his enduring creativity pushing off boundaries and his unwavering defiance. Kalakuta Republik offers no escape to facing the crude realities of revolutionary acts : the sublime and the chaos.

Part 1 " Without a story we would go mad" peaks away from codes, from what is predictable into continuous individual movements that take us into a disjointed trance. The dancers are dressed in black and white as if presenting a manichaean view and isolated experience of the world. Yet Serge Coulibaly through his appearances on stage becomes a conductor who connects with the dancers.

Part 2 "You always need a poet"

In Part 2 « You always need a poet », we are firstly confronted with moral decadence and the absurd. Sexual depravity, drugs, madness punctuate the sounds of jazz-infused Afrobeat. One dancer is hurt, heavyloaded while others are intoxicated, used, hurt, abused. The colours remind us of Fela Kuti’s Shrine which was both a temple and a night club. Yet, the poignant and enduring message of hope and political resistance clearly resonates throughout the piece.

The dancers keep on marching, clenched-fists in the air. And the fight goes on !!!

Kalakuta Republik will show one more night at the Barbican on 1st June and at the Edinburgh International Festival from 8th to 11th August 2019. See links below to book your tickets now.

Kalakuta Republik | Barbican

Dizzying movement, revolutionary ideas and the sounds of jazz-infused Afrobeat recreate the Kalakuta Republik, Fela Kuti's communal compound in Lagos.

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/serge-aime-coulibaly-kalakuta-republik

Kalakuta Republik | Edinburgh International Festival

A dizzying fusion of dance, music and revolution, inspired by the supercharged music and scandalous life of Fela Kuti from Faso Danse Théâtre. 8-11 August 2019.

https://www.eif.co.uk/whats-on/2019/kalakuta

SHOOOOO – Latest release of KWAMZ & FLAVA

March 14 2019 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #music, #artist, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2019

SHOOOOO – Latest release of KWAMZ & FLAVA

After their electrifying performance on China's first afrobeat stage at the ISY music festival and their viral performance at Fuse ODG's T.I.N.A Festival in Ghana, Kwamz and Flava bring you their first project of 2019!!

This latest release has been very much anticipated! With the pre released teaser clearly not enough for the Afrobeat lovers, the song comes at no dissapointment as a Kwamz production! The build up from the moment you press play til the beat drops leaves you unable to control the urge to do the Zanku or Shaku on the beat!!

With upcoming performances in Europe, USA and Canada, 2019 is looking very interesting for Kwamz & Flava.

SHOOOOO – Latest release of KWAMZ & FLAVA

Legendary singers from Aswad and Steel Pulse join forces !!

March 13 2019 , Written by Caro Sika Published on #music, #carosika, #artist, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2019, #aswad, #steelpulse

Singers from Aswad and Steel Pulse, namely Brinsley Forde and David Hinds, join forces on the first single of the upcoming Brinsley Forde album "The Tuff Gong Sessions".

The song takes us back to the experience of enslaved deported Africans and their search for identity. The generation that has been told the story and experienced the aftermath of the transatlantic tragedy seems to echo back to this young generation what took place centuries ago!!

Yet the story is still being told and so relevant - we are looking at a grey bearded rastafari man painting sea waves with people voyaging through in the presence of a child who could be his grandson!! And today Black Africans are still dying at sea every day and slavery is still happening as we speak - the alienation from their continent is still real - the children of Africa are still searching for a better tomorrow!!

Executive Producer: Ras Denco. Produced by Ras Denco and Marc Baronner. Mixed by Marc Baronner @ Bass Galore Productions (Leiden, NL). Recorded @ Tuff Gong (Kingston, JM) and Mixing Lab (Kingston, JM), Brinsley Forde Studio (Tenerife, ESP), Coyote's Hideout (Belgrade, RS). Engineer @ Tuff Gong: Roland Mc Dermot. Video by Romain 'Sherkhan' Chiffre.

Que Vola? Cuban-French Jazz band debut album out soon!

January 17 2019 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #music, #artist, #afroculture, #2019, #quevola

Que Vola

Signed to No Format (home to Oumou Sangaré, Mélissa Laveaux) and supported at 6Music by Gilles Peterson, Que Vola? formed when French jazz trombonist Fidel Fourneyron followed his namesake to Havana to immerse himself in the percussive music of Afro-Cuban cults. The experience sparked him to reimagine the existing music, with a French brass section reinterpreting vocal leads, alongside Cuban percussionists.

This new Afrobeat-influenced track, 'Nganga', is informed by the customs of the Palo religion, taking its name from the cauldron where a dead priest's spirit is believed to remain.

Listen to track below

UK live debut at Hackney EartH on April 10

Speaking about the track, Fidel says; "I added a bass line to the Palo rhythm. I wanted to be respectful of the choral voice that would usually respond to the soloist, but here it's my trombone that takes the lead vocal, and the rest of the horn section responds, before being answered by the tenor sax."

Que Vola? - that name comes from the Cuban slang for 'What's Up?' - will make their UK live debut at Hackney EartH on April 10 at a show alongside Oumou Sangaré to celebrate No Format's 15th birthday.

Click below for more info to book your ticket now!

Nø Førmat 15th anniversary show - featuring Oumou Sangaré & Que Vola

2019 sees the 15th anniversary of the excellent Paris based record label Nø Førmat . The label is famed for releasing consistently high quality eclectic global music (including Chilly Gonzales ...

https://earthackney.co.uk/calendar/2019/4/10/noformat15thanniversary

Calle Luz - Que Vola

2Fly's debut single Sensei is a real vibe!

January 11 2019 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #music, #artist, #afroculture, #2019

Now out on Apple Music and Spotify

Saskatoon Producer Eman just produced a debut single for his group members in 2Fly.

"Sensei" has already received airplay in Saskatchewan, Canada and positive reviews from anybody that's heard it. With their own new school Afrobeat vibe, the single creates a new path for Afrobeat musicians to follow. With a mix of Afroswing, Afrobeat and Dancehall elements for the new generation.

Musical expert Noel McKoy says " I really like the way they are implementing oriental musical expressions in their production relating to the title of the song "Sensei". Wolé coming in on the second verse is very smooth".

All of the musicians in the song bring a different vibe to the song and the group itself. Wolé on the second verse is a very talented Afrobeat singer while Zweii and Uadamen come through with sweet Hip Hop Dancehall vibes on the first verse and chorus respectively. Drino on the final verse brings the new UK Afroswing vibe to the song. The mix of genres gives birth to a new type of sound which they've made their own. It should do really well in the charts!!

People are already asking when the next song is out. It seems more hits are definitely on the way from 2Fly productions.

For more information, promo requests or to arrange an interview, contact:

2Flyproductions (2flyprod@gmail.com)

Boubacar Kafando and Zaama Nooma at Hootananny, Brixton

November 27 2018 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #interview, #music, #carosika, #artist, #afroculture, #2018

Boubacar Kafando interviewed by Caro Sika

Boubacar Kafando and members of the Zaama Nooma Band

Boubacar Kafando and members of the Zaama Nooma Band

The actual band came together in 2010. The meaning of the band's name is "united we are stronger" in the Mossi Language, which is the dominant language of Burkina Faso, which counts approximately 70 languages and makes it a multicultural country, as many African nations. Boubacar Kafando and the band's love for people and unity really translate in their love for music; and the expression of their music is to call people to leave in harmony and love each other. They equally address the need for social justice and inequalities or injustice they see around them. It naturally makes perfect sense that the latest album of Boubacar Kafando, released in 2016, is called "faut pas se diviser", we must not be divided.

For more info about Zaama Nooma, Afrobeat band, check the link below:

Caro Sika and the Zaama Nooma Band, Hootananny

Boubacar Kafando & Zaama Nooma Band | Biographie | boubacarkafando

Boubacar KAFANDO, virtuose du N'goni et de la Kora, artiste compositeur interprète et leader du groupe Zaama Nooma Band...

https://www.boubacarkafando.com/biographie

Their musical project is, however, far beyond the music industry alone. Zaama Nooma is also the name of the charitable organisation Boubacar Kafando founded in 2007 with the aim to pass on the musical heritage of Burkina Faso and sub-Saharan Africa to the youth. It accomplishes its goal through different actions such as musical workshops (Djembe, Kora), concerts, educational activities such as the repair and manufacture of instruments and research and preservation of endangered instruments. A cultural centre "le centre culturel Zounoogo" also opened its doors in 2009 in the town of Saponé, Burkina Faso.

For more info, https://www.boubacarkafando.com/association-zaama-nooma

It is evident that Boubacar's passion and commitment for music is integral, touring throughout the world and raising funds for the work of his charity and he is actively working at promoting the band so that they can comfortably make a living from the art and their craft. That is one of the reason Boubacar Kafando loves performing in London which he considers to be a multicultural city, very open to African Culture and music.

For my part, I have loved seeing Boubacar Kafando and the Zaama Nooma band perform. I loved the energy, the fusion of rock and the traditional rhythmic of the Kora and other traditional instruments.

For Boubacar Kafando's and the Zaama Nooma's Band next concerts, find all the dates on https://www.boubacarkafando.com/

Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia

It is evident that Boubacar's passion and commitment for music is integral, touring throughout the world and raising funds for the work of his charity and he is actively working at promoting the band so that they can comfortably make a living from the art and their craft. That is one of the reason Boubacar Kafando loves performing in London which he considers to be a multicultural city, very open to African Culture and music.

For my part, I have loved seeing Boubacar Kafando and the Zaama Nooma band perform. I loved the energy, the fusion of rock and the traditional rhythmic of the Kora and other traditional instruments.

For Boubacar Kafando's and the Zaama Nooma's Band next concerts, find all the dates on https://www.boubacarkafando.com/

Gida Live & San Mei Gallery present 'An Evening with Eshe Escoffery'

November 27 2018 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #event, #music, #artist, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2018, #esheescoffery

Gida Live & San Mei Gallery present 'An Evening with Eshe Escoffery'

On 8th December 2018, Gida Live & San Mei Gallery team up to present 'An Evening with Eshe Escoffery' with your host Eon Irvin of Crackers Radio.

You'll find out more about Eshe Escoffery musical journey from life with the talented family group The Escofferys to the release of the debut solo Nu Kosmic Soul EP "Live Life Be Here". A pianist will accompany the live performance.

Once you've got to know about Eshe, Eon Irving will get you Toe Tappin' and Hip Shakin' to those tunes that make you wanna move.

There's a complimentary drink on arrival and NuDawn will be selling with their amazing Rotis

To book, click link below

Gida Live !! & San Mei Gallery present An Evening With Eshe Escoffery

Tonight we enjoy a relaxed Q & A session with Eshe Escoffery and Eon Irvin (Crackers Radio) We'll find out more about her musical journey from life with the talented family group The Escofferys to ...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gida-live-san-mei-gallery-present-an-evening-with-eshe-escoffery-tickets-51434660454

Phenomenal Richard Bona at the Jazz Cafe London, Tour 2018

November 23 2018 , Written by Caro Sika Published on #carosika, #interview, #artist, #music, #afroculture, #2018, #richardbona

Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia

What a fabulous experience seeing and listening to Richard Bona and his Live Band’s performance in the intimacy of the iconic London Jazz Cafe this week and no we didn’t want it stop although he tried hard (for almost 30mns passed his set time) to put us to sleep in the most creative way ever….

Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia

Richard Bona is just an incredible and charismatic being, a substantial artist and a huge musical reference in « mankind » register. Not only is his voice smooth, surreal and unique, his music ecclectic and sophisticated, he just connects with any « nation and tribe » on earth !!! We all shared in this remarkable moment of musical genius as Richard connected with the audience representing different countries and started speaking and singing in Italian, « Hungarian », Hindi or Marathi perhaps as he referred to his fans in Mumbai, to name just a few, and even Japanese !!! Yes, while holding a professorship of Jazz music at New York University, Richard Bona spent 4 years learning Japanese (for free !!! as he boasted on stage). We all laughed at his facial expressions as he recalled the astonishement of Japanese tourists on NY tube as he directed them in their native language….. A black man speaking ……………. !!! Anyhow you got it !!!

Photo Credit: Giuliano Eboulia

And the songs he performed that night are just a display of his artistic prowess !! such as Kalabancoro released in 2003 with great groove and tunes, keys and brilliant shifts in sound perspective ; New Bell released in 1999 which alternates between African polyrhythms and bits of jazzy swing, it also encapsulates the depth of the artist as he tells the story, in his native Cameroonian language Douala, of a man falsely imprisoned for 15 years in the Cameroonian prison called New Bell. It has to be said, Richard Bona’s grandfather was a ‘griot’ (West African StoryTeller to keep it simple).

Richard also performed the song « Please don’t stop » birthed from his collaboration with John Legend released in 2005 on his fourth solo album Tiki, which was nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 49th Grammy Awards, as well as the song Muntula Moto from his latest album Heritage that he released in 2016 under Quincy Jones’ Qwest Label. The title of the song actually means « the benediction of a long life » which talks of the wisdom of old age.

It was a delightful moment !! The cultural and artistic contribution of a great Son of Africa to music and mankind. Sticking to his roots and yet transcending them to a universal musical expression !! Our legacy !!

Thank you Richard Bona and to you all, make sure to check out when this amazing artist comes to your hometown.

See tour dates and locations below, more to come in 2019 !!

Shows - Richard Bona

http://www.richard-bona.com/shows/