This is a blog used to help promote DJ Kool Emdee and dedicated to GOOD music and those
who love good music, be it old or new school. Any music or links posted are for SAMPLE PURPOSES ONLY. We wish that you would support all artists by purchasing their bodies of work.
Akalé Wubé (meaning "my beautiful" in Amharic)is a quintet of musicians based in Paris, France who have been inspired to play "Ethio-Jazz" after drawing inspiration the Ethiopiques and other Ethiopian Jazz groups of the "golden age" throughout the sixties and seventies. They simply have taken older tunes to put a more modern contemporary twist by fusing in funk, tango, reggae, pop and other styles of music, already being an aesthetic in Ethiopian music, to help create their own unique sound.
Mata is the title track for their upcoming album by the same name, which will be available through their website on March 26th, 2012.
Sarah White is sheer dopeness. I think I seriously need to take more time to research many artists when they are brought to my attention. Space Madness was released in October, which lets me know that i've been "sleeping" for that long. A definite must have for your music collection if you're the type that likes an eclectic blend of multiple styles on one album that flows flawlessly. As far as production, these may not be your everyday names, however, they are proven to be top notch. Guest vocalists include Nicholas Ryan Gant and Cecilia Stalin.
There's just something about "Reaching Up" that grabbed me and is already my favorite track. This is a great tune to have started the album with. I look forward to more music from this Brooklyn bombshell. By the way, I really dig the cover art. Enjoy!
Jeremy Ellis continues to step up his game while performing live and in the studio. Hailed as one of the top finger drummers, he shows his skills on Native Instruments' Maschine in this Youtube video that I came across recently. It's a bit old, yet still fascinating. Be sure to visit his website and just vibe.
Cesária Évora
(August 27, 1941 – December 17, 2011)
Another legend in music has left us to transition to the ancestral realm. Known all over the world by those who love her rich voice as the "Barefoot Diva", for performing without shoes, and affectionately known by her close friends and family as Cisa. Cesária Évora was born on the Cape Verde islands off the coast of Africa. She got her professional start as a singer by performing on Portuguese cruise ships in the 1960's.
Évora's international success came only in 1988 with the release of her first album La Diva Aux Pieds Nus recorded in France. In 1992, she released her Miss Perfumado album which sold over 300,000 copies worldwide. She garnered broader international success and a Grammy nomination in 1995 with Cesária. n 1997, she won KORA All African Music Awards in three categories: Best Artist of West Africa, Best Album and Merit of the Jury. In 2004, her album Voz d'Amor was awarded a Grammy in the World music category. During her career, she would gain the title of the "Queen of Morna", which is a blues-like style of music and dance native to Cape Verde.
Many thanks to producer extraordinaire Jneiro Jarel for getting me up to speed on the Kinshasa One Two album that was recorded in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo over 5 days this past July, and is currently available for pre-order via Bleep as a digital download, courtesy of Warp Records. This is one style of music I like to spin at my sets and listen to while chilling at home. On November 7th, vinyl junkies will be able to get a hold of this wonderful album in the form of deluxe double vinyl that includes 14 art cards and unique codes for the digital album plus three bonus tracks. CD's will be in digi-packs with 12 page booklets and codes for the bonus cuts.
Check out "African Space Anthem" that features Ewing Sima of Tout Puissant Mukalo. Jneiro tells me he had lots of fun making this track. Enjoy!
Digital Tracklisting:
01 - Hallo featuring Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge
02 - K-Town featuring N’Gotshima and Bebson
03 - African Space Anthem (A.S.A.) featuring Ewing Sima of Tout Puissant Mukalo
04 - Love featuring Love
05 - Lingala featuring Bokatola System and Evala Litongo
06 - Lourds featuring Yende Bongongo of Okwess International
07 - Respect Of The Rules featuring Loi X Liberal
08 - We Come From The Forest featuring Bokatola System
09 - Customs featuring Bokatola System
10 - Virginia featuring Magakala Virginia Yollande and Yowa Hollande
11 - Ah Congo featuring Jupiter Bokondji and Bokatola System
12 - Three Piece Sweet Part 1 & 2 featuring Bebson
13 - If You Wish to Stay Awake featuring Washiba
14 - Departure featuring Bokatola System
Here's the follow-up to Captain Planet's critically acclaimed Ningane EP that features Congolese singer Fredy Massamba. Cookin' Gumbo is set for release on September 6th and will contain many delicious dancefloor fillers. Below is a remix of Mia Doi Todd’s "Paraty". Enjoy!
Release Parties / Tour Dates 9/8/11 – Zanzibar (AfroFunke Party) – Los Angeles, CA
9/9/11 – Southpaw (w/ Turntables on the Hudson) – Brooklyn, NY
9/10/11 – Eighteenth Street Lounge – Washington, DC
9/15/11 – Elbo Room (Afrolicious Party) – San Francisco, CA
It's been nearly a year ago since I dropped a compilation of Jazz tunes in this series. I'll start putting these out more often. At least try to every month. Enjoy this second installation.
Massive respect to some new friends of mine who are doing great by contributing to the world of music.
Panamanian born MC Zulu is taking the world by storm with his ruff and tuff dancehall reggae style vocals laced over techno-soca and other forms of electronic music.
Houston based Frank Zwee is the guitarist and vocalist for world band D.R.U.M. (Divine Rhythm United Motion), ZWEE and Skyblue 72. He adds an excellent mix of rock and blues style pickin' into the mix.
Pittsburgh native Buscrates, who's a DJ and Future Soul and Hip-Hop producer for the Futuristic Soul Society, as well as the Buscrates 16 Bit Ensemble.
