Posts Tagged ‘femi kuti’
Top of the World: Femi Kuti – No Place for My Dream
Posted on June 11th, 2013 in Recent Posts, Reviews by Songlines.
Words by Peter Adjaye
Top-notch stuff from the first family of Afro-beat
The ninth album by Femi Kuti, son of the legendary Fela, sees him retain his crown as the true messenger of the spirit of Afro-beat. It is not only filled with fantastically sharp horn arrangements and deft fast-paced rhythms but also enriched with conscious on-point lyrics. Performed live by the new youthful line-up of his truly talented band Positive Force, it sees Femi playing the trumpet as well as the saxophone. The opening track, ‘Nothing to Show for It’, kicks off proceedings in style with an infectious bass line and a rolling organ, topped off with a full-bodied horn section that sets the scene perfectly.
At present, Afro-beat is experiencing a strong global revival, as this album demonstrates on tracks such as ‘The World is Changing’, sung in straight English. A true classic of the genre, with flying guitar licks and powerful lyrics that resonate with indignation about what’s happening around the world in these times of defeated economies and corruption. Another beauty comes in the shape of ‘No Place for My Dream’: an Afro-beat gem with crunchy guitars driving the melody’s moving chord changes. ‘Na So Wee See Am’ is a true carnival-flavoured riot that makes you want to jump up high, thanks to its insistent punch and pulsating rhythms. People get ready; the time has come to dance and listen to the truth.
TRACK TO TRY: The World is Changing
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(On Wrasse Records)
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Mick Jagger’s playlist and the 10 best new releases in the new Songlines issue
Posted on June 6th, 2013 in News, Recent Posts by Songlines.
The July 2013 issue of Songlines is now on sale. It includes our regular Top of the World CD with ten tracks from the finest new releases from around the planet. The CD also includes five tracks selected by Rolling Stones frontman, Mick Jagger.
The Top of the World CD includes tracks from sitar maestro Ravi Shankar; Songhai bluesman Samba Touré; desert stars Etran Finatawa; the heir to the Afro-beat throne Femi Kuti; Louisiana’s The Hot 8 Brass Band; innovative indie-meets-mariachi duo David Wax Museum; and Owiny Sigoma Band, who combine Kenyan Luo music with London’s club scene, amongst others.
Pick up your copy here, at UK HMV stores, selected WHSmiths and all good record retailers. Feast your ears on these all-new tracks:
* The Hot 8 Brass Band ‘Wolf Burger’ on Tru Thoughts
* Nynke ‘Düns Fan de Siedden’ on Crammed Discs
* Femi Kuti ‘Nothing to Show for it’ on Wrasse Records
* David Wax Museum ‘Harder Before it gets Easier’ on Mark of the Leopard
* Etran Finatawa ‘Is Ler Is Salan’ on Riverboat Records
* Los Desterrados ‘Aguila Guila’ on Enkalador Records
* Samba Touré ‘Al Barka’ on Glitterbeat Records
* Solas ‘High, Wide and Handsome’ on THL Records
* Owiny Sigoma band ‘Norbat Okelo’ on Brownswood Recording
* Ravi Shankar ‘Ravi Singhi Bhiravi’ on East Meets West Music
Plus Mick Jagger’s playlist:
* Clifton Chenier ‘I’m a Hog for You’ on Arhoolie Records
* Salif Keita ‘M’ Bemba’ on Decca Records
* T Visvanathan and T Ranganathan ‘Sandehamunu’ on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
* Farafina ‘Dounounia’ on Real World Records
* Fela Kuti and Ginger Baker ‘Let’s Start’ on Knitting Factory Records
July 2013 issue of Songlines (#93) is on sale in the UK from today
Posted on June 5th, 2013 in News, Recent Posts by Songlines.
Mick Jagger’s playlist, Etran Finatawa and the Top 25 Mali Albums
The July 2013 issue of Songlines is on sale in the UK from June 7 and as well as our regular Top of the World CD, with ten tracks from the finest new releases from around the planet, the CD also includes five tracks selected by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
The Top of the World CD includes tracks from sitar maestro Ravi Shankar; Songhai bluesman Samba Touré; Ladino revivalists Los Desterrados; indie-folk duo David Wax Museum; the heir to the Afro-beat throne Femi Kuti; and The Hot 8 Brass Band from Louisiana.
There is also a bonus CD, which features a varied selection of mugham tracks to accompany our feature on the intriguing classical music of Azerbaijan.
The magazine also includes:
Features
• Top 25 Mali Albums – Our countdown of the best albums from Africa’s musical powerhouse.
• Nynke – The unique and stylish singer who introduced the world to Frisian fado talks about her new release.
• Guide to Mugham from Azerbaijan – Everything you need to know about the artists and history of this fiery Azerbaijani classical music.
• Etran Finatawa – Lead singer Alhous talks about the troubled Sahel region and the band’s new album, recorded in the desert.
Regulars
• Beginner’s Guide to Irakere, Cuba’s famous jazz-fusion combo
• Postcard from Warsaw
• Backpage from Marseille, this year’s European Capital of Culture
• My World: a playlist and interview with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger
• Grooves: the singer for ‘little orchestra’ China Forbes, Malian guitarist and bluesman Samba Touré; and Kenyan musical heavyweights Charles Owoko & Joseph Nyamungu
• News, including Korea’s intangible treasures and the highly anticipated Fes Festival
• Reviews of the latest CD, book and world cinema releases
Christmas gifts
Posted on December 8th, 2011 in Recent Posts by Songlines Intern.
The countdown begins! There’s just one week left to order a Songlines Christmas gift subscription with guaranteed delivery in the UK before The Big Day. Don’t forget, you’ll get a free CD for yourself when you buy a subscription for a friend this Christmas. There are six CDs to choose from including Kasse Mady Diabate, Iness Mezel, Los De Abajo, Femi Kuti, Goran Bregovic and Souad Massi.
For more information and to buy your gift subscription, please visit www.songlines.co.uk/xmas
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