With the DNA of his father–the Malian legend Ali Farka Touré–running through his veins, and the Mississippi delta in his soul, Vieux Farka Touré exudes the blues with a global perspective. Warm and seductive, his skills bring the deepest blues into the light.
Fallou Dieng is the elder statesman of a new generation of Senegalese artists emerging from the long shadows and rich legacy left by the country’s most famous son, Youssou N’Dour. Dieng is a rising star in the mbalax tradition, which he uses to great effect, along with his lyrical voice, to create his own unique sound.
A thirteen-piece ensemble from New York City, Zozo Afrobeat feature musicians from Nigeria and around the world, and is led by African music luminary Kaleta. Kaleta, who is known for his considerable on-stage energy and presence, performed with Fela Kuti for years, and has also worked with Femi Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Lauryn Hill. Their newest album, Country of Guns, uses their own special mixture of percussion, dancing, and guitar to bring a message of hope to people of all nations, most especially Africa.
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The Israeli roots Reggae singer Mosh Ben Ari delivers warm and catchy songs of world unity in his native language of Hebrew. Having studied music in India, the Sahara, and Sinai, he is a master of multiple string instruments, such as acoustic and classical guitar, Indian sarod, Persian tar, Turkish jumbush, Moroccan ginberi, and bass. With a global fan base and many ravenous American fans, Mosh Ben Ari’s soul stirring pop star sound may be the call to prayer from the Middle East that we have all been waiting for.
Rupa and the April Fishes show that there is nothing that cannot be re-invented. While the band is based out of San Francisco, their songs are sung in French, Spanish, English, and Hindi that range in style from Indian ragas to sultry tangos to Gypsy waltzes or bossa novas. Rupa, a doctor part-time, uses her patients’ experiences to fuel her thoughtful, musical work. Sold-out shows and collaborations with other like-minded artists prove that breaking down barriers may be the thing to do. Their debut album is eXtraOrdinary rendition.
Y-Love (Yitz Jordan) is part of the new guard of hip hop revolutionaries. Y-Love’s style has been described as “global hip hop,” seamlessly intertwining English, Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin. He combines ethereal scripture with gritty social consciousness, reflecting his own life-changing conversion to Hasidism. Having graced the stage with luminaries as varied and respected as Lou Reed, DJSpooky, Hadag Nachash, Matisyahu, Steinski, and Immortal Technique, Y-Love has proven himself as a formidable presence in the world of hip hop. Y-Love has been featured in publications from USA Today to Italy’s La Repubblica and XXL Magazine. URB placed Y-Love in their NEXT 1000 and The Jerusalem Post called him “the scene’s next crossover success”. With each word he spits in the tongue of ancient Babylon, Y-Love breathes new life into hip-hop, one beat at a time.
Diwon tours the world as Y-Love’s DJ, but as a solo artist he produces a mix of Yemenite and Sephardic music blended with electro hip hop beats. Influenced heavily by his family that migrated from Yemen to Ethiopia and finally settled in Israel, his music reflects the multicultural tapestry that is Israel. His live set brings together textural fusions of live and recorded sound and often are accompanied by singers from various backgrounds. Diwon’s music, style, and presence get famous US clubs to resemble the craziest festivals abroad. His wizardry is best illuminated on his Sephardic Music Festival mixtape.
Posted on June 26, 2008 by D. Bell