World Music Post

Ethiopians refer to Queen Sheba as “Makeda!” It’s a great song from a spectacular sister duo, even if you don’t speak French!
Biography by Alex Henderson
An unconventional female duo that came out of Bordeaux, France, in the 1990s, Les Nubians offered a jazzy, sophisticated style of R&B that combined French lyrics with the influence of Sade, Soul II Soul, hip-hop, and African pop. The duo consists of sisters Helene and Celia Faussart, who were born in France to a French father and a Cameroonian mother. After living in France as children, the siblings moved with their parents to the African country of Chad in 1985, when Helene (born 1975) was ten and Celia (born 1979) was six. The sisters lived in Chad for seven years before returning to France as teenagers.

Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (also known as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo – Mahlathini and the Girls of Mgqashiyo) was a South African mbaqanga supergroup composed of:
The late Simon ‘Mahlathini’ Nkabinde (1937 – 1999), a phenomenal singer in the basso-profundo ‘groaning’ style.
The mgqashiyo session group Mahotella Queens (1964 – present), known for their fast-paced dancing and multi-part harmonies – originally five members from 1964 – 1986, now a trio (1986 – present)
The mbaqanga instrumental band Makgona Tsohle Band (1963 – 1999), led by the late Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi

In 1998, band member West Nkosi was killed in a road accident. Marks Mankwane died not long afterwards, followed by the death of Mahlathini in July 1999, thus ending the group’s existence. Despite this, the Mahotella Queens recruited brand new (younger) musicians in a new group line-up and continue performing and recording to this day, having released successful albums such as Sebai Bai (2001), Bazobuya (2004), Reign & Shine (2005) and Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) (2007).
Wikipedia for Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens

Mali’s Oumou Sangare performs “Moussolou” from the same titled album, 1989

Oumou Sangare (born February 25, 1968, in Bamako, Mali) is a Malian Wassoulou musician, sometimes referred to as “The Songbird of Wassoulou.” Wassoulou is a historic region south of the Niger River, and the music there is descended from traditional hunting songs, and is accompanied by a calabash. Her mother was the singer Aminata Diakité.
Wikipedia entry for Oumou Sangare

Now, this is what I call global harmony!

From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.

http://playingforchange.com

I’ve seen these great perfomers live several times. Very entertaining. Alex Spurkel and Avi Sills are Naked Rhythm.

Naked Rhythm music video for “Shisha” on their album Frequency. Features sexy bellydancers Anahata & The Urban Gypsy Dancers, and visual effects by Arcane Realities. Additional dancers Sayaka, Adore, Anah, Monika, and Starchild.

Bio:
NAKED RHYTHM was born in Los Angeles in 2003 as a collaborative effort between Avi Sills and Alex Spurkel with a vision of breaking down borders and bringing the world together with cross-cultural music and dance. By seamlessly fusing exotic world music and percussion with contemporary electronic dance grooves, Naked Rhythm captivates Western audiences with the universal language of rhythm and sounds of the Middle-East, India, Africa, and South America. The result is an innovative and organic form of World electronica that moves the heart as well as the hips. Their debut album Frequency was released world-wide in July 2006 by Caravan Records, and their tracks have already been featured more than 10 compilations including Tantra Lounge vol 3 & 4 and the upcoming Buddha Bar vol 9. Their captivating live shows featuring numerous world musicians, dancers, and visuals have entertained such stars as Sting, Robert Downey Jr., Diana Ross, and The Black Eyed Peas.
www.nakedrhythm.com