Monthly Archives: August 2011

Progressive electronic music from South Africa: Spoek Mathambo

Part of a new breed of African artists, 24 year-old Spoek Mathambo (rapper/DJ and graphic designer/illustrator) is hitting the world hard with his take on Afro-futurism. His goal of making music is to be progressive without forgetting his roots. As the front-man of the electro rap outfits SWEAT.X and PLAYDOE. Spoek Mathambo has become an increasingly prominent figure in the international music scene over the last couple of years.

Last year, Spoek Mathambo released his solo album, Mshini Wam for BBE (BBE Records), and has built a live band with Richard The Third (producer), Jakob Snake (drummer) & Nic Van Reenen (guitarist) in order to tour the project. The release of this project was particularly exciting as a sign to the world of what (South) Africa has in store in terms of progressive electronic music.

As a DJ, Spoek’s HIVIP project, which is promoting South African music, has gathered widespread attention. and was covered by the New York Times and Fader Magazine. He has been also touring Europe. Continue reading

Music listings – 8/8 through 8/14

1. Chicha Libre

Date: Monday, August 8, 2011
Time: 9;30pm
Venue: Barbes (376 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY)
Ticket: $10
Genre: a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop

Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970′s Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows – percussion; Joshua Camp – Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan – Cuatro & Vocals – Nicholas Cudahy – bass; Vincent Douglas – Guitar – Neil Ochoa – percussio

2. Eric Harland+Marcus Strickland

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Film screening: The Perfect Age of Rock ‘N’ Roll

Basic Information

Movie theatre: City Cinemas Village East Cinema (181-189 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003)
Release Date:  August 5th, 2011
Genre:  Drama
Studio: Red Hawk Films
Runtime: 92 minutes
Film rate: not rated
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Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking — 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival
Directed and written by Scott Rosenbaum
Screenplay by Scott Rosenbaum and Jasin Cadic
Produced by  Joseph White, Scott Rosenbaum, Mike Ellis, Neil Carter
Website:  http://www.theperfectageofrocknroll.com

About the film

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Interview: Sunny Jain – another Indian-American monsoon!

Text and interview by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi August 3, 2011 at the Lincoln Center (NY)

Drummer, composer, educator and band leader (Asphalt Orchestra, Red Baraat and Sunny Jain Collective) Sunny Jain, a native of Rochester, New York, now living and working in New York City, is one of the South Asian-American jazz musicians who brings Jazz and the ancient sounds of India together. His Punjabi roots and appreciation for Bollywood classics and Indian dance rhythms can be heard in his work. In general his music is very eclectic fusing Jazz with Indian music integrating drum & bass, progressive rock, Brazilian and West African rhythms.

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