Saturday, 25 December 2010

Dele Sosimi

Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra

Band Profile

A London-based band led by Dele Sosimi, and playing Afrobeat, Hi-Life and Afro-funk.

Details coming up...

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/delesosimi

Rafiki Jazz

Rafiki Jazz

Band Profile

A UK-based World and Roots music collective of African and Latin diaspora musicians.

Details coming up...

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/rafikijazz

Awale

Band Profile

A London-based band led by Thibaut Remy, and playing a polyrhythmic fusion of Afro-funk from EthioJazz to Afrobeat, with European and North African harmonies. to tradit.

Details coming up...

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/awale

Harare

Harare

Band Profile

Led by Kudaushe Matimba, and playing dance and traditional music of Zimbabwe from Jit Jive to traditional hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (lamellaphone) . The band based in London.

Details coming up...

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/hararelondon

Kadialy Kouyate & Sound Archive

Kadialy Kouyate & Sound Archive

Band Profile

Senegalese blues, Kora beats and traditional music griots of West African. The band based in London. Details coming up...

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/kadialykouyate

Wednesday, 22 December 2010

Las Cosas De Un Amigo by Havana D'Primera

Love Life? Love AfroCuban Rhythms!

"Las Cosas De Un Amigo" from the amazing debut album "Historia Hacienda" by Alexander Abreu y Havana D'Primera. The new second album will be coming out in Spring 2011

Sunday, 12 December 2010

Lauryn Bradley Photography

Lauren Bradley Photography

More info

http://lauryn-myphotography.blogspot.com

Thursday, 9 December 2010

Yasmin Levy + Melingo

Yasmin Levy + Melingo

Band Profile

From the purity of Ladino (the Judeo-Spanish music)... to the fiery heart of flamenco.

Details coming up...

The Creole Choir of Cuba

The Creole Choir of Cuba

Band Profile

Afro-Cuban vocal group with passionate melodies and wild harmonies. Details coming up...

Tuesday, 7 December 2010

Tomasito Cruz & Cuban Timba All Stars

Candela ~ New album review

He has recorded with Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, Issac Delgado, Ignacio Berroa, Manolin and was the Conguero on Paulito FG's masterpiece "Con La Conciencia Tranquila".

On his new album Candela, Tomas Cruz incorporates elements of afro Cuban folklore, Jazz, Rock, Funk, and Salsa to cook up a fiery steam of Timba, and one of my favourite dance albums of the year. The opening track "Oggun" is a breathtaking fusion of folkrolic rhythms, funk and heavy percussion.

For Timba fans, this is a collector's must have Xmas present! Go buy >>>

More info@

http://www.tomasitocruz.com

Monkfish

Monkfish

Band Profile

Afro-Funk, Tropical music band based in London. Details coming up...

Havana D'Primera

Havana D'Primera

Band Profile

Afro-Cuban Band based in Havana. Details coming up...

Ahmed Cardenas Dickinson

Ahmed Cardenas Dickinson

Band Profile

Cuban Filin-guitar virtuoso based in London. Details coming up...

Sona Joberteh

Sona Jobarteh

Band Profile

Anglo-Gambian female kora maestro based in London. Details coming up...

President Museveni Rap OFFICIAL VIDEO

You want another Rap? From Ugandan President ~ Yoweri Museveni

Zong Zing All Stars

Zong Zing All Stars

Band Profile

Congolese Soukouss-Kavacha Band based in London. Details coming up...

Tumbao Tivoli

Tumbao Tivoli

Band Profile

Afro-Cuban Band based in London. Details coming up...

Grupo Lokito

Grupo Lokito

Band Profile

Congolese-Cuban fusion sound band based in London. Details coming up...

Cuban Combination

Cuban Combination

Band Profile

Cuban Band based in London. Details coming up...

Yaaba Funk

Yaaba Funk

Band Profile

AfroFunk Band based in London. Details coming up...

Son de Cuba

Son de Cuba

Band Profile

Cuban Band based in London. Details coming up...

Timbache

Timbache

Band Profile

New Cuban Band based in London. Details coming up...

Osvaldo Chacon y Su Timba

Osvaldo Chacon y Su Timba

Details coming up...

Saturday, 4 December 2010

Afrik Bawantu

Afrik Bawantu

Band Profile

Afro-funk band based in London. 2010 Festival photos, videos, gigs coming up...

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/afrikbawantu

Timba Radio

Timba Radio

For the latest Cuban Timba Music hits... Don't miss!!!

More info@

http://www.timba.com/radio

Friday, 3 December 2010

Kaz Simmons

Kaz Simmons ~ Jazz Singer

Profile coming up...

Cubadisco 2011

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, known by many as the "Music reserve of our nation" "Craddle of the Son" will be the ideal city to host the CUBADISCO 2011 in its fifteenth edition, from 14 to 22 May, dedicated to “Los soneros del Mundo (The Son singers of the World) and to Santiago de Cuba.

This city is considered the "thermometer of dance music" in the country and is recognized by many scholars as the ultimate source of son, bolero, trova and choral singing. Many believe that if Cuba is known as "La Isla Musical", Santiago would be "the musical reservoir." A contest of impromptu performance will be held during these days and art works will be unveiled in honor of Miguel Matamoros, one of the major figures in the Cuban son.

The Cubadisco International Fair founded in 1997 and organized by the Cuban Institute of Music is the most important event of the Cuban music industry and it constitutes a preferential space to expose the main achievements reached by the phonography in Cuba.
In this occasion Adalberto Alvarez, “El Caballero del Son”, will be the president of honor. Three important activities will be held during the event. From May 1st, the 3rd edition of “El Son más largo del mundo” (The lengthiest son of the world) with more than 300 hours of continued music and dances through the island, the 2nd International competition of Pie Forzado with Alexis Díaz Pimienta as its president and the Great match of the contest of Son interpretation and improvisation in piano, tres and voice, headed by the famous pianist Frank Fernández

More info@
http://www.cubadisco.soycubano.com

Hotel Bookings @
http://www.solmeliacuba.com/cuba-hotels/hotel-melia-santiagodecuba/

Sunday, 28 November 2010

AfroCubism @ Royal Albert Hall

AfroCubism @ Royal Albert Hall

Monday 27 June 2011

Featuring: Eliades Ochoa, Djelimady Tounkara, Toumani Diabaté, Bassekou Kouyate and Kasse Mady Diabaté

With the current world wide tour receiving resounding reviews the extra one-night-only date gives audiences another rare and ‘unmissable’ (MusicOMH) opportunity to see Cuba and Mali’s finest musicians performing together in London’s finest venue.

AfroCubism was an idea originally conceived of in 1996 to bring the foremost Cuban musicians and their Malian counterparts together on one recording. As it turned out the Malians couldn’t make it to Cuba so an exclusively Cuban album was recorded instead. This went on to be the multi-million selling Buena Vista Social Club.

14 years later the 13 piece all-star cast of musicians reconvened in Spain and recorded AfroCubism. Released in October 2010 the album has universally lived up to the high expectations which preceded it.

'An elegant, gently exquisite album' The Guardian

'A cross-cultural tour de force' The Times

More info@

http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr/video/Afrocubism_au_Bataclan/

http://www.sphericalimages.com

Thursday, 25 November 2010

WOMAD Charlton Park 2011

WOMAD Charlton Park
Fri 29th - Sun 31st July 2011
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
United Kingdom

EARLY BIRD Tickets on sale now; Other details coming up...

More info@
http://www.womad.org/festivals/charlton-park

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Portico Quartet + Ibrahim Maalouf

Portico Quartet + Ibrahim Maalouf

SAT 4 Dec 2010
ICA, The Mall, London
SW1Y 5AH, UK

Tube: Charing Cross

Ace Mercury-nominated post-jazz band with support from Lebanese Worldbeat trumpeter who adds a vibrant edge to blending jazz and classical Arabic Music.

Tel: 020 7930 3647

More info@
http://www.ica.org.uk

Chico & Rita Review

Chico & Rita

A Fim Review

A sizzling love story brews in this powerful film that depicts the evolution of America’s jazz scene from be-pop to Latin fusion with influences of Afro-Cuban jazz rhythms; to Cu-bop. The leading cast, characterisation (animation cameos by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Chano Pozo, etc…) and a sumptuous soundtrack (from the great Bebo Valdes), are to die for.

Chico and Rita, as tempestuous lovers who can neither let go of nor fulfil their own desires and destinies, lead an impressive cast. Chico, with a penchant for the ladies and virtuosity on piano, reminiscent of many a jazz musician’s nomadic life, is smitten with Rita's sultry presence and husky voice that drives the pace of their romance. Ramon, as Chico’s sidekick is impressive too as the ambitious business man, whose greed leads to the betrayal and eventual deportation of Chico on trumped charges of drug dealing.

The film also shows a glimpse of the trials and tribulations of the 1940s American Jazz scene. Loyalty, politics, greed, corruption not to mention an allusion to the underworld’s presence; are themes that emerge and are beautifully interwoven by excellent film direction.

The end perfectly captures Chico’s popular re-emergence, whose musical “Indian summer” is filled with awards and sell-out performances; and the eventual re-unification with his soul mate (Rita), is one for the romantics – that true love conquers all. And perhaps, not coincidentally a similar anecdote of Buena Vista Social Club's Ibrahim Ferrer (shoe shiner), Ruben Gonzalez (who hadn't played a piano for years) and Compay Segundo (who apparently had a long "lost love").

This film is a cinematic triumph and surely, a strong contender for the 2011 Oscars. Place your bets now, as you may not find better animation this year. - David Kayondo

More info@
http://www.chicoandrita.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTWxB9hRjwI

Monday, 22 November 2010

Benda Bilili!

Benda Bilili!

New film details coming up soon...

More info@
http://www.bendabilili.co.uk

Sunday, 21 November 2010

Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan

Femi Kuti @ The Barbican

Femi Kuti & The Positive Force + Sound of Rum

28 November 2010 / 19:30
Barbican Hall

Tickets: £10 - 25
subject to availability

Details coming up...

AfroCubism @ The Barbican

AfroCubism

Sunday 21 Nov

The Barbican Hall

SOLD OUT!!!

Featuring Eliades Ochoa, Toumani Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate, Djelimady Tounkora, Kasse Mady Diabate.

The legendary ‘lost’ project that became Buena Vista Social Club© is finally realised. Some of the finest Cuban and Malian musicians collaborate In Nick Gold’s newest and most eagerly awaited project for years.

More info@

Barbican - AfroCubism

FREE STAGE,,, from 2pm

Omar Puente & Alex Wilson

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Havana: ¡Vive El Verano!

¡Vive El Verano!
Havana, Cuba
A Photographic Exhibition

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.rps.org

Chucho Valdes @ The Barbican

Chucho Valdés & The Afro-Cuban Messengers + Ibrahim Maalouf

The Barbican
Thursday 18 November 2010
7.30pm

Cuba's legendary pianist is back in London with a brand new show!

A Cuban national treasure, and multi-grammy winning pianist - Chucho combines the influences of musicians such as Art Tatum, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner with Afro-Cuban roots and a blazing technique that leaves audiences on the edge of their seat.

He's back at the Barbican as part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3, this time with his Octet the Afro Cuban Messengers performing tracks from their eagerly anticipated new release, Chucho's Step (Harmoni Mundi)

"Valdés's octave span might even have frightened Rachmaninov, and his headlong keyboard exploits traversing most of jazz piano history -could burst open doors."’ The Guardian review on his last performance at Ronnie Scott's .

"A one-man piano whirlwind whipping up an Afro-Cuban jazz storm."’ Time Out

"High-pressure virtuosity, cliffhanging improvisation and party-time salsa."’ The Guardian

More info@

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=11037

Opening the evening is French/Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf (Discovery of the Year at the 2010 French Jazz Music Awards), bringing his haunting mix of jazz and classical Arabic music to the UK for the first time.

Tickets from £15
Box Office: 020 7638 8891

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

LLAFF Launch Party

London Latin American Film Festival Launch
Wed 13 Nov 2010
Bolivar Hall
7pm

The opening night with Chico & Rita - feautures a sumptuous animated feature with an original soundtrack by the legendary Cuban bandleader and composer Bebo Valdés.

The story follows the tempestuous love affair between Chico, a talented piano player, and gorgeous, honey-voiced chanteuse Rita, as they pursue each other from the steamy nightclubs of pre-revolutionary Havana, through the Mambo and Jazz haunts of Harlem, to the glamorous world of Forties Hollywood and, finally, to a seedy motel in Las Vegas.

More info@
http://www.latinamericanfilmfestival.com/films/
http://www.chicoandrita.co.uk/

Festival Au Desert

Festival Au Desert 2011

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.festival-au-desert.org

Ballet Nacional de Cuba

Ballet Nacional de Cuba

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.balletcuba.cult.cu/

World Circuit Records

World Circuit Records

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.worldcircuit.co.uk
http://www.livingstonstudios.co.uk/

¡Como No! Events

¡Como No! ~ Upcoming events...

ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB®

Featuring Omara Portuondo
Royal Albert Hall | London
Tuesday 19 April. 7.30pm

Following a series of hugely successful performances in recent years, the twelve-piece Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® which features a number of Buena Vista Social Club alumni make their eagerly awaited return to Europe.

This Cuban musicians' collective has played together for over half a century. Stylistically, they span the entire spectrum of Afro-Cuban music. Deliciously slow bolero ballads and majestic danzones feature the swell of strings, while background vocals conveying messages of romance hide behind arrestingly beautiful melodies.

Buena Vista Social Club's most influential style is the exuberant, polyrhythmic music known as son, which gave birth to both Mambo and Salsa. These upbeat numbers are full of infectious guitar licks, multilayered Afro-Cuban rhythms, soaring vocal melodies, and brash, Big Band-style horn parts.

Joining this new and expanded lineup of Cuban players is vocalist Omara Portuondo, a member of the original Buena Vista Social Club, whose 2008 recording Gracias (World Village / Montuno) won a Latin Grammy and scored a Grammy nomination.

More info@
http://www.buenavistasocialclub.com