While working as a buyer at Aron’s Records in Hollywood during my youth, I came across ECM Records. Up until then, the only thing I had ever heard off of the label was Keith Jarrett’s The Köln Concert. As I was able to listen to promo versions of new releases, I came across Anouar Brahem, but forgot about him for over a decade. My friend, Max Franosch, whose photographs grace a few classic ECM releases, reminded by of his work via a post several years ago, and I’ve been following his music intently ever since.
World Music
[Video] Madredeus – O Mar
This was the classic lineup for Madredeus, when Teresa Salgueiro was still singing for them. Both she and the band are still making wonderful music, but this tune shows them at their peak.
[Video] Vinicius Cantuária – Amor Brasileiro
After a long, tiring day at work, I spend my evenings with wonderful Brazilian company. This song, a masterpiece by Vinicius Cantuária, is dedicated to that company, who makes the days pass easily.
Obrigado, fofi!
[Video] Galymzhan Zholdasbay – Ak Tilek
Galymzhan Zholdasbay, also known as Alimhan Yoldaşbey or Галымжан Жолдасбай, is a Kazakh folk-pop singer melding traditional Kazakh melodies into a catchy, accessible ditty.
[Want List] 2ème Festival Algerien de la Musique Andalouse 1969 Volume 1 [1-6]
Many thanks to bolingo69 for posting this rather sublime-looking set. Has anyone been able to find a copy of it, or has access to a digitized copy? This looks like a very enjoyable set to spend these winter nights with.
[Sample] Verckys et l´Orchestre Vévé – Congolese Funk, Afrobeat & Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978
The Internet is a treasure trove which never ceases to amaze. Thanks to the enterprising souls over at Analog Africa, a brilliant reissue label from Germany, we get to here these long-forgotten wonders from the country formerly known as Zaïre, now the Democratic Republic of The Congo.
[Video] Юлиана Кривошапкина (Juliana) – Sub-Yer (Water-Ground)
I know absolutely nothing about Juliana, who hails from the Sakha Republic in Eastern Russia, but this piece left me fascinated.
[Video] Hamlet Gonashvili – Orovela
Hamlet Gonashvili possessed perhaps the most beautiful voice to ever come out of Georgia, which is no simple thing to claim. He died far too young after falling from an apple tree in 1985, but left an admirable body of work from his native homeland. This is, to me, his best work.
RIP Paco De Lucía
Sad news to report. Perhaps the best known modern gypsy guitarist, Paco De Lucía, has passed away due to a heart attack. He was 66.
La Informacion reported the news today, as did ABC.es in Spain. English-language obituaries are sure to come in shortly.
[Podcast] Mundofonías
A couple of years ago, I had the absolute joy and pleasure to make the acquaintances of Juan Antonio Vázquez & Araceli Tzigane, two radio hosts who run Spain’s best World Music program, Mundofonías.
You can sample of bit of one of their recent shows, ‘Orientando & Africando’, here.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 