Monthly Archives: August 2012

Film feature: Violeta Went To Heaven @ The Film Society of Lincoln Center (LATINBEAT 2012)!

The extraordinary story of the iconic poet, musician and folksinger Violeta Parra, whose songs have become hymns for Chileans and Latin Americans alike. Director Andrés Wood (Machuca) traces the intensity and explosive vitality of her life, from humble origins to international fame, her defense of indigenous cultures and devotion to her art. Chile’s official Oscar entry.

The 8/17 screening will take place in the Film Center; the 8/18 screening will take place in the Walter Reade Theater.

Buy tickets here.

Continue reading →

CD recommendation: Togo’s Fela Kuti speaks out for the 2nd time with music jumping “Between 2 Worlds”!

Artist: Elikeh
Titel: 2 Worlds
Label: Azalea City Recordings
Genre: Afro Beat or “taking Fela Kuti and mixing him with Bob Marley. Put in a pot and stir for three minutes and add some Osibisa and Togolese traditional music to it and let it all boil for two more minutes,” Dogo laughs. “Then you add a sprinkle of rock and you have Elikeh. ” (by Massama Dogo)
Release date: August 23, 2012

Elikeh mixes Afro-beat with traditional Togolese polyrhythms to produce captivating tunes that are as listenable as they are danceable. Although based in indigenous traditions, Elikeh’s music has no borders, exploring global themes and personal odysseys.

The eight-member group knows how to get the fire burning. They channel that energy into funkified pop anthems and thoughtful critiques of corruption, ignorance, and cultural neglect. Now on Between 2 Worlds the group digs deep into the African vintage pop inspiration, the reggae vibes, and the current craze for African-inflected funk and blues on an album that easily straddles two continents.

Continue reading →

A Documentary Film: THIS TIME – an unflinching celebration of six diverse artists living on the flip side of the music industry!

Date: Friday, August 10, 2012
Venue: Quad Cinemas (34 W. 13 St. NY)
Purchase tickets here

THIS TIME 2011, USA, 111 min.  A film by Victor Mignatti.  Produced By Mark Bower and Victor Mignatti.  Photographed, Edited & Directed by Victor Mignatti.  Featuring: The Sweet Inspirations, Peitor Angell, Bobby Belfry, Pat Hodges and Cissy Houston.  Featuring Songs by Peitor Angell and Bobby Belfry. Original Musical Score by Peitor Angell. A production of Village Art Pictures And Inspiration 101, LLC.

They’ve sung back-up for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Jimi Hendrix, been homeless while their songs were on the charts, and struggled to fill tiny cabarets while fighting for their big break – all the while holding tight to their dignity and to their dreams. A new documentary work by filmmaker Victor Mignatti, THIS TIME explores a world far from the overnight television sensations of “American Idol,” capturing the underbelly of an industry that relies on the ever-present pool of new artists waiting for their chance at stardom.  Accompanied by the soaring music of the gifted artists featured in the film, including the legendary Sweet Inspirations and Cissy Houston, the film tracks the triumphant and heart-wrenching efforts of six musicians working day and night to turn up the volume on their careers. From the streets of South Central Los Angeles to Park Avenue in New York, THIS TIME is a unique musical story about utter dedication to an art form and the transformative power of music.

Continue reading →

Event review: 2012 Istanbulive 4 brought Turkish music and culture back to NY again.

Date: July 29, 2012
Venue: Damrosh Park Bandshell/Lincoln Center

Review by Jim Hoey

For the fourth year in a row a hardworking Turkish group of promoters and musicians have succeeded in bringing the sounds of their country right here to NYC where a large group of Turkish emigres are eager to hear music from home, and locals can hear something exotic and new. In past years, it’s happened at Central Park SummerStage, but this year they moved it to Lincoln Center’s 62nd street bandshell space. Despite a raging thunderstorm just hours before the start time, with bolts of lightning ripping through the darkened skies, the 3 groups on the bill from Turkey were able to take the stage after the storm died down when it was safe for the musicians to play.

Continue reading →

Music listings – 8/6 through 8/12

1. Sidi Touré w. THE PEDRITO MARTINEZ GROUP  & WOUTER KELLERMAN

Date: Monday, August 6, 2012
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue: Marcus Garvey Park (18 Mount Morris Park West, New York, NY 10027, 212-860-1394)
Tickets: $18
Genre: desert blues/Mali music, Afro-Cuban rumba, world music

Sidi Touré draws inspiration from traditional Malian music and religion, but is informed by western blues, rock, and culture. The winner of two Malian national awards for best singer, Touré was leader of a regional orchestra and is a nationally renowned figure in his home country. In 2011, he released Sahel Folk, his critically acclaimed debut album and toured North America for the first time playing at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center and the ChicagoWorld Music Festival. His 2012 follow-up, Koïma is a musically rich and luxurious album mixing tradition and modernity, African magic and city-dwelling dilemmas.

The Pedrito Martinez Group has its roots planted firmly in the Afro-Cuban rumba tradition, bata rhythms and vocal chants of Yoruba and Santeria. Helmed by famed Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez — who has lent his unique hand drumming skills to over a hundred records spanning the worlds of Latin and pop music — the group has toured internationally, gaining a steady fan base for its mix of Caribbean inspired funk. The New York Times sums up their sound up aptly, calling it, “complex, blenderized Africa-to-the-New-World funk.”

Continue reading →