I just heard that Miram Makeba “Mama Africa” died a couple of days ago. Her music, emerging out of South Africa, touched the world…
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Amampondo
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A brief summary of Miram Makeba’s life, art, and work for social and racial justice…
Miram Makeba is one of those transformative artists whose vision transcends the world of her art and career. Through her music and her personality, we encounter the expansive possibilities of the human heart when it is fully applied to the struggling world.
Do yourself a favor and track down more of her music.
The animation hearkens back to the work of Peter Maxx in the 60s and 70s, a la Yellow Submarine. But this comes with a sleepy, casual groove. Gives a sense of the easy, overlooked magic of the world.
This lovely video was recommended by Cinza. Moving meditative kirtan in the Sikh tradition by Snatam Kaur Khalsa. From a London performance. A nice pairing with Guru Nanak’s poem…
“Offering three mesmerizing pieces for solo bamboo flute, each based on a different Indian scale, this leads the listener deeper into a mood of serenity.”
“Sarod and guitar music that is a sensuous blend of Eastern lyricism, unique rhythms, and meditational celebration…”
The music on this CD is lyrical, introverted, meditative. Mixes eastern sounds with something that almost feels like the lead-up to an American folk song. Take a listen.
I first encountered the amazing voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan through a fortuitous accident about seven years ago. Up until that point, I had not heard of the great master of ecstatic Muslim/Sufi music of Pakistan and India known as Qawali music. At the time I was living in Hawaii, and I wanted to purchase a gift for my wife. I noticed a music store that was going out of business, so I walked in to see if I could find an interesting CD. Most of their shelves were bare, except for some miscellaneous world music CDs. I didn’t recognize any of the names. Most would have been difficult for me to even pronounce. But the photograph of this large man seemingly glowing with “rapture” grabbed my attention. I bought it knowing nothing more. When my wife later opened her gift and we sat listening, we were spellbound. I’ve been a fan ever since.
“Finger-style guitar accompanied by tabla on compositions that push the boundaries of time signatures and harmonies.”
Konarak Reddy’s music is sweet for the soul. Drowsy finger-style guitar blended with vibrant tabla. The combination seems much more natural than you might think.
“By THE legendary original overtone-singing/throat-singing pioneer, composer-mystic David Hykes, with The Harmonic Choir. David Hykes’ visionary music, Harmonic Chant, helps us find deep harmony and healing. It transforms our abilities to listen to ourselves, to each other and to the universe.”
The music of David Hykes is beautiful and otherworldly. I find I slip almost immediately into meditation as I listen. Some aspects of his vocalizing reminds me of something I heard several years ago that was described as Mongolian throat singing. It’s like chant, but somehow more primal, getting down beneath words and concepts. Really beautiful work.
“Spoken word that weaves from Native to rock to middle eastern-twinged, with traditional vocals underlying John’s intense, forthright message.”
I love the spare guitar that often accompanies him on this recording. And the native chant. Creates a feeling of big spaces, plains, wide skies… wide, heartbreaking questions. John Trudell asks fundamental questions of what it means to be a human being, and the craziness that passes for “normal” in the world. I consider him to be a cultural healer, a prophet of sorts, someone who brings us back to ourselves, even when it’s painful. Worth a listen.
“Passionate and hypnotic world music played on the Shakuhachi and ethnic bamboo flutes.”
I was lucky enough to hear a master shakuhachi player several years ago in Hawaii. Shakuhachi is the elegant Japanese bamboo flute. This CD combines the meditative currents of the shakuhachi with more primal rhythms and sounds. Very nice.
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