November 08, 2005
jet lag
I've always thought that music industry conferences present the best argument for Human Cloning. It's just not possible to see everything you want to see, and talk to everyone you want to talk to otherwise!
As last night's performance by Angelique Kidjo and Eva Ayllon demonstrated, presenting World Music artists of the highest caliber is a vital part of our mission. To that end, the Philadelphia Music Project generously offered to help two Kimmel Center programmers make the annual hajj to world music's Mecca, WOMEX - held this year at Newcastle-Gateshead in the U.K. That's the lovely Sage Gateshead in the photo to the left..
Between fighting off jet lag and losing my voice to a nasty virus, I did manage to catch quite a few interesting acts that might (or at least deserve to) be gracing U.S. stages in the near future.. here's the low down...
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Les Boukakes
Rai meets the Rolling Stones. "Boukake" is a word created from two European racial epithets aimed at persons from Asia and Africa. These 7 musicians from Algeria, Corsica and Tunisia have not only co-opted the language previously used to denigrate their heritage (think hip-hop) but have co-opted a hard-edged rock'n'roll style and the attitude to go with it. Check their site and some free MP3's here
Vusi Mahlasela
A sublime set from one of the greatest voices of his generation .. Amandla! documented the importance of music in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Vusi will be at the Kimmel on Feb 19 along with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, don't miss it.
Pedro Luis Ferrer
90 miles of ocean and a half-century of cultural divide separate the U.S. from one of the richest musical traditions in the hemisphere. As Buena Vista Social Club amply demonstrated, more's the pity. Guitarist/vocalist Pedro Luis Ferrer's group turned in one of the finest performances of the week, reworking Cuban musical traditions with modern innovations. Catch him if you can.
Wang Lei
millenia of Chinese musical tradition heard through the filter of modern 'laptop' music. Organic roots, synthetic beats.
samples: 1 2 3 4 5 more
DJ Shantel
Gypsy music meets drum & bass. Picture 3 dozen music industry professionals dancing on stage to a breakbeat version of Hava Nigela, with security called in to break up the party.