http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/World_Summary.html World music is a generic term that refers to all those recordings, especially non-western ones, that do not match the genres and subgenres already created. Since 1980, when the term was popularized, it has been used to categorize any type of foreign music. In general, the music belonging to this genre is characterized by being performed using traditional ethnic instruments and including ethnic modes, scales and musical inflections. The term “world music” has come to substitute, in some way, the term "folk" music, but some people consider that it should be eliminated and that this music should be integrated into other existing genres. en-us http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9515.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 02:19:55 CST
Cesaria Evora was born in 1941 in Cape Verde. She is known as the “barefoot diva” due to her common appearances in her bare feet. She does this as a way to show her commitment to poor children, women and homeless people in her country. She is not only a folk musician; she is the mother of morna, which is a genre that comes from the Portuguese fado. The subject matter of Cesaria Evoria relies on issues regarding slavery, immigration and isolation that were part of her country during many years.

Accordion, violin, clarinet, guitar and cavaquinho are the common instruments that accompany the sentimental and melancholy voice of Cesaria Evora. She is able to transmit emotions not only through her touching lyrics but also by her finely-tuned voice. She started signing morna when 16 years old. She had to stop singing during the 70’s due to lack of profit. While being 45 years old, she decided to continue singing, so she went to Portugal to record two songs. That was just the beginning. She recorded the albums La Diva aux pieds nus, Distino di Belita, Mar Azul and Miss Perfumado from 1988 and 1992. She was now a worldwide recognized artist and an international star.

Tours to Europe, Brazil, The United States, Africa and Canada were part of their presentations to worldwide audiences. Four more albums were released by Cesaria Evora: Sodade, Les Plus Belles Mornas De Cesaria (1994), Cesaria (1995), Cabo Verde (1997) and Cafe Atlantico (1999). In her next release, Sao Vicente de Longe (2001), she counted on the collaboration of well-known Caetano Veloso, Orquesta Aragon and Bonnie Raitt. A Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music 2004 and a designation as an Officer des Arts et des Lettres are part of the recognitions Cesaria Evora has received. Others albums belonging to her discography are 2002’s Cesaria Evora Anthology and Live in Paris (DVD), 2003’s Voz D'amor and Club Sodade, 2006’s Live D'Amor (DVD and 2006’s Rogamar. http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9483.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 02:04:38 CST
Brazilian Girls is a musical group formed in New York by 2003. The group is composed of three boys and a girl: Sabina Sciubba is the lead singer; Didi Gutman the keyboardist, Aron Johnston the drummer, and Jesse Murphy the bassist. Something curious about this group is the name: they are not Brazilians and there is just one girl in the group. However, they have a distinctive sound, they described as melting pop, which combines reggae, samba, lounge, house, electronic, bossa nova and jazz. Listening to Brazilians Girls’ music is like being in two or more places at the same time: it is just transcendental.

They met in 2003 at a New York club called Nublu and formed the band as it is constituted today. The richness of their sounds is a result of the band's diversity. Sabina was born in Roma and grew up in Nice and Munich. From that experience, she learned Spanish, Italian, German, French and English and that is why she is now able to sing in those five different languages. Didi is from Argentina, Jesse from California and Aaron form Kansas. Nevertheless, each member’s musical career began before the success of Brazilian Girls (2005), participating in many cases with prominent artists. It is specially noticeable their participation in the jazz album You Don’t Know What Love Is with Chris Anderson.

Their first album Brazilian Girls was released in February 2005. Their debut album got the acceptance of critics as well as the audience so that they made their debut on TV on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. The album Brazilian Girls is a complete production with songs to fulfill everybody’s expectations. From singles with humorous lyrics such as “Don't Stop” to dance hall chants like “Pussy", you get all you need. Those who love music and appreciate world music cannot do anything more than love Brazilian Girls and their music. http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9439.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 01:58:34 CST
Baaba Maal is an African guitarist and singer who was born in Podor (Senegal) in 1954. Due to the African caste systems, he was supposed to be a fieldland as his father, not a musician since he did not belong to that caste. But Baaba’s courage and determinations were more powerful, so he started learning music from his mother and his teachers. He even studied music in Dakar and Paris. He and Yossou N’Dour are the most famous Senegalese musicians worldwide. His most noticeable work relies on promoting the traditions of the people who live near the Senegal River and are descendents of the kingdom of Futa Tooro.

His musical style is the result of the influence Randamp;B, Jazz, Blues, and Soul had on him. Jimmy Cliff, Otis Redding, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Bob Marley and Etta James are musicians that have greatly influenced Baaba’s music. In Dakar, he learned more about some traditional instruments and the way in which they work. This fact is essential in the definition of what will be later his musical style which was basically a combination of traditional sounds and rhythms with some elements of reggae and pop. Baaba Maal is a musician committed to Africa and its social issues; for that reason, he is a representative of UNDP (the United Nations Development Program.)

Wango was released in 1988 as the first of a series of successful and popular albums. Following, the albums Lam Tooro and Firin’ in Fouta were launched in 1992 and 1994 respectively. Other albums that belong to this artist are Djam Leelii (with Mansour Seck), Baayo, Nomad Soul, Missing You…Mi Yeewnii, and Palm World Voices: Baaba Maal. Missing You...Mi Yeewnii is particularly significant since it was a return to his musical sounds. The singles “Yoolelle Maman,” “Miyaabele,” and “Fa Laay Fanaan” are some of the ones included in Missing You...Mi Yeewnii. http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9428.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:22:26 CST
Angelique Kidjo is an African songwriter who was born in Benin in 1960. Since very early years, Angelique had been in contact with art. In fact, when she was just 6 years old, she started performing with her mother in the last one’s theatre troupe. With this, she won a great reputation mainly locally. At the age of 23 years old, Angelique moved from her country to France due to political conflicts and because that was a better place to improve her career. By that time, she began singing specially backing local bands. Her experience dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds, allowed her have a very characteristic musical style.

Her music has been influenced by Caribbean zouk, Jazz, Afropop, Congolese rumba, and Gospel styles. Latin styles such as salsa, rumba, samba and reggae are also mixed in Angelique’s music. She sings whether in Yoruba, Swahili and Fon (African tongues) as well as English and French. When she was just 20 years old, she released her first album Pretty with the well-known Cameroonian producer and singer Ekami Brillant. The success of Pretty in Africa was amazing as well as unexpected. She had become not only a recognized artist but also a major artist in the Afro Caribbean scenery.

Parakou (1990) was the first album wherein Angelique was able to develop her own musical style. Remarkable in this album is the ballad “Blewu.” In 1991, she launched her album Logozo which enjoyed the acceptance of the European audience. Two singles were specially outstanding “Batonga” and “Wéwé.” Her afro funk influence was even more evident with her next release Aye (1994). Moreover, the most popular single of Angelique’s career “Agolo” was encompassed in this album. Fifa (1996) was one of the most important and successful albums for Angelique. The single “Fifa” (Fon for Peace) was part of the soundtrack for “Ace Ventura”. Afro rhythms have been spread through all corners of the world thanks to Oremi (1998), Keep On Moving: The Best Of Angelique Kidjo (2001), Black Ivory Soul (2002), Oyaya! (2004) as well. http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9411.html Tue, 25 Apr 2006 02:59:40 CST
Amadou and Mariam is the name of a musical duo composed by two blind persons: Mariam Dumbia (vocalist), who was born in Bamako, Mali in 1958, and Amadou Bagayoko (vocalist and guitarist), who was born in 1954 in the capital of Mali also. “The blind couple of Mali”, as they are usually called, met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind. There, they had the possibility to share the interest in music. Today, the duo mixes traditional Mali rhythms and sounds with Dogon percussion, Indian tablas, Colombian trombones, Egyptian ney (a kind of end-blown flute), Cuban trumpets, Syrian violins and rock guitars in a musical style that has been named “Afro-Blues.”

Since their early years, both started enhancing their musical and vocal skills. Mariam began very young singing the songs she heard so that when she was 6, she sang at baptisms and weddings. On the other hand, Amadou performed with different groups since 1968. He played with Les Ambassadeurs from 1974 to 1980. Some time after that, he enrolled at Institute for the Young Blind where he met Mariam. At the Institute, they were both outstanding members of the Institute Musical Group and the Institute Orchestra. Some time after they got married, Amadou and Mariam began to play together. During the mid-80s they were recognized due to the Malian Blues they played.

In 1985, they started a tour by Burkina Faso. A year later, they moved to Cote d’Ivoire and began recording cassette albums. The album that opened the doors for them in Euopre was Sou Ni Tle which became a hit highly praised at festivals worldwide. Amadou and Mariam’s discography includes the albums Se Te Djon Ye (1999), Sou Ni Tile (1999), Tjé Ni Mousso (2000), Wati (2003), Dimanche à Bamako (2005) and Je pense à toi (2005). http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9354.html Tue, 25 Apr 2006 10:20:03 CST
Alpha Blondy, whose real name is Seydou Koné, was born in Dimbokoro, Cote d’Ivoire, in 1953. This reggae singer is one of the most important and popular performers in West Africa. Alpha sings whether in French, his mother tongue (Dioula), Hebrew, Arabic or English. The subject matter of his singles relies on political issues but analyzed from a humorous point of view. His songs contain satirical lyrics about civil war, Israel, civilian and military alternance, the assassination of Norbert Zongo and police brutality and are intended to promote love, morality, social consciousness and peace.

His debut album was released in 1983 with the name Jah Glory. The album was so successful not only by his rhythms and sounds but also due to his lyrics. One of the most successful singles within the album was “Brigadier Sabar” which was performed in Dioula and tells the story of a police raid he witnessed in Ivory Coast. The Abidjan music had got its own start, its version of Bob Marley: Alpha Blondy. Once he achieved the triumph in his native region (West Africa), it was the time to succeed in other latitudes. The track “Rasta poué” became a hit in Europe so that Alpha moved to Paris where he released his second album Cocody Rock. Alpha was certainly on the right track, he even had the possibility to record with The Wailers (backing group of Bob Marley).

In 1985, Apartheid is Nazism was launched and became an anthem in the fight against apartheid. This album was also the beginning of a new mysticism for him with soft songs such as “Jésus come back”, approach that was kept in his next album Jérusalem. Singing in Arab, Hebrew and studying the precepts of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, he was now supporting religious unity. Whether satirizing political issues or promoting religious harmony, Alpha released twelve more albums until 2005, among them: The Prophets (1989), Best Of (1997), and Merci (2002). http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9152.html Mon, 24 Apr 2006 04:51:38 CST
Ali Farka Tuoré was born in Gourmararusse (Timbuktu, Africa) in 1939. This African singer and guitarist is not only one of the most worldwide recognized African performers but also one of the most important representatives of Malian Music, which was one of the roots of current North American Blues. He was not supposed to be a musician since in their society, professions and occupations are inherited and belong to certain group or tribe. However, in spite of his family opposition, he began playing the guitar when 10 years old to finally master it at 17 years old.

His born name was Ali Ibrahim “Farka” Touré. The word “Farka” means donkey, and his parents decided to give him that name due to the admirable qualities of that animal: stubbornness and tenacity. His fascination for music led him to play the gurkel and njarka, both traditional African instruments. This self-taught performer was introduced in the musical world and strongly influenced by Otis Redding, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker. His style is often compared with  R.L Burnside due to his characteristic superposition of guitars and rhythms. Another special feature is that Ali Farka Touré sang in one of African native languages whether Tamasheck, Shongai or Fula.

His first album was released in 1976. Farka was followed by the album that would provide Ali Farka Touré with worldwide recognition and popularity: Ali Farka Touré (1987). The River (1990), The Source (1992), Talking Timbuktu (1994), Radio Mali (1996), Niafunké (1999), Red/Green (2004) and In The Heart Of The Moon (2006). It is important to point out certain issues regarding these releases. Talking Timbuktu encompasses the single “Diaraby” choosen by the BBC program The World. Niafunké was an album much more traditional emphasizing on African rhythms. Finally, Ali Farka Touré won a Grammy award for the album In The Heart Of The Moon which he did with the help of Toumani Diabaté. Farka died at the age of 67 due to bone cancer. http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_9089.html Mon, 24 Apr 2006 02:57:32 CST
Afro Celt Sound System is a musical group established by the producer and guitarist Simon Emmerson, who by the way, has been nominated for the Grammy Awards. The main approach of the group is to mix rhythms such as techno and hip-hop with African and Celtic influence. Afro Celt Sound System is considered a supergroup due to the success achieved by the members of the band and the fact that they have counted on a great variety of guest artists in their albums.

Afro Celt Sound System is one of the most important world music performers is not only the great accuracy of their sound, but also the way in which outstanding performers have joined in a project intended to get intercultural exchange to its maximum through music. The musicians that have been part of Afro Celt Sound System are Simon Emmerson (guitar and production), N'Faly Kouyate (vocals, balaphon, kora, n’goma), Moussa Sissokho (talking drum, djembe), James McNally (Bodhrán, whistle, accordion), Johnny Kalsi, Iarla Ó Lionáird (vocals), Emer Maycock (flute, tin whistle, uillean pipes), and Martin Russell (engineering, programming, keyboards, producing).

They released their debut album Volume 1: Sound Magic in 1996, which became one of the most important examples of world music as a sign of cultural exchange. In 1997, they made their debut concert in the United States. Thus, in 1999 they released the album Volume 2: Release. Within their third album Volume 3: Further in Time (2001), they released the single “Life Begins Again” with the vocals of the guest artist Robert Plank. Their following albums were Speed (2003), Pod (2004) and Volume 5: Anatomic (2005). http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_8754.html Fri, 21 Apr 2006 04:19:35 CST
Kevin Lyttle is a great soca artist whose real name is Lescott Kevin Lyttle Coombs.  He was born on September 14, 1976 in Saint Vincent, which is a volcanic island located in the Caribbean.  In fact, most of his music is characterized for including a Caribbean special touch.  Actually, one of Kevin Lyttle’s most successful songs, which is called “Turn Me On", got to be a really important and popular hit in this American region.  This song represents a fantastic combination of soca, Randamp;B and hip-hop although he is always focused on soca.

Incredibly, the beginning of the success of this worldwide famous song took place in the United Kingdom.  Seven days after the day the song “Turn me On” was released in this country in 2003, it got to reach number two, a position that maintained for several weeks in the single charts.  However, in other twelve countries such as Finland and Australia, the song reached #1 and #3 respectively.  In the United States, this international hit was released in 2004.  There, it got to be #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Three years ago, Kevin Lyttle signed under Atlantic Records, and thus, in 2004, he released his second single titled “Last Drop”, which has been very successful too.  Actually, it reached top 40 in Australia, Sweden and Netherlands, top 20 in Switzerland and top 10 in Finland.  Amazingly, Kevin Lyttle co-wrote all the songs that are included in the album that offer great guest appearances such as Assasin and Spragga Benz. Nevertheless, the most amazing thing about him is that, before getting to be such a popular and successful artist, he worked on several day jobs, including radio disc jockey and customs office. 
http://www.vagmusic.com/articles/Genres_8729.html Fri, 21 Apr 2006 01:03:27 CST
Flogging Molly is the name that an Irish American punk rock band receives.  This band, which is made up of seven members, is originally from Los Angeles and is signed under SideOneDummy Records.  The members of Flogging Molly are George Schwindt, who is in charge of the drums, bodhran and percussion; Bob Schmidt, who plays the mandolin, banjo, mandola and bazouki; Nathen Maxwell, playing the bass guitar and also, Matt Hensley, who is in charge of the accordion and concertina; Dennis Casey, the one playing the electric guitar, Bridget Regan, who plays the tin whistle, uilleann pipes and fiddle; and Dave King, in charge of acoustic guitar, spoons, banjo and bodhran.  All of them but George and Matt are backing vocals.

The band Flogging Molly is a very particular band comprising lots of interesting facts.  For instance, it is remarkable that Dave King, who is the major lyricist and songwriter of the band, composes his songs on a 1916 typewriter.  In addition, their song “The Worst Day Since Yesterday” is featured in the movie Mr. andamp; Mrs. Smith. Also, Matt Hensley, before becoming a member of the Flogging Molly, was a successful and famed skateboarder.

The name “Flogging Molly” comes from the name of an Irish pub in LA called Molly Malone’s, where they used to play on Monday nights.  Flogging Molly has released one independent live album called Alive Behind the Green Door and 3 main studio albums, which are Swagger, Drunken Lullabies and last but not least, Within a Mile of Home.  Flogging Molly participated in the Rock Against Bush, which is a project that gathered some bands to perform against the 2004 Bush campaign.  Flogging Molly is planning to release a live DVD album for this year.  Let’s wait for it then.