Posts Tagged ‘Creole’

playlist #104 (3/1/2010)-what’s new

March 2, 2010
World of Music
Pgm #104 – Digging into the new stuff! (New in the world, and new to us.)
Catch the show on Mondays 3-5pm EDT – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
—-
Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
—-
Galactic featuring the Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, and Corey Henry: Friends of Science, Boe Money, Cineramascope / Ya-Ka-May / ANTI- 87002 – (N’AWLINS) *NEW*
Honny & The Bees Band (Bonobo Remix): Psychedelic Woman / Sound Affects Africa / Mr. Bongo Records 45 – (SOUTH AFRICA)
Massak: Anywhere Trouble / Haïti Market / Le Maquis 54115 – (HAITI)
—-
Sofia Tosello: La Verdadera Llama / Alma y Luna / Sunnyside 1231 – (ARGENTINA)
Puerta Plata: Casita de Campo / Casita de Campo / iASO 4 – (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Yasmin Levy: Una Noche Mas (One More Night) / Mano Suave / 4Q 1817 – (JERUSALEM)
David Doucet: Balfa Waltz / Quand J’ai Parti / Rounder 6040 – (LOUISIANA, USA)
—-
Ambros Seelos: Pilsen-Polka / Alpenglück / GEMA 790533 – (BAVARIA)
Giorgio Conte: Rock’n’Roll & Cha Cha Cha / L’ambasciatore del Sogni / CDADEU 2002 – (ITALY)
(Unknown artist): (Unknown song title) / (Unknown album name) / RIPP 8 – (JAPAN)
Ive Mendes: Night Night (Craigie remix) / Ive Mendes / Mr. Bongo Records 25 – (BRAZIL)
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra: Gabe’s New Joint / Talkatif / Ninja Tune 66 – (NYC, USA)
—-
Panaswing: Me Lo Dijo Una Gitana / Panama! 3 / Soundway 18 – (PANAMA)
Swing Noire: Heavy Artillerie / Hot Jazz in the Tradition of Django Reinhardt & The Quintette of the Hot Club of France / http://www.swingnoire.com 2010 – (MADE IN VT) *NEW*
Mariza: Primavera (Spring) / Fado Curvo / Times Square Records 9033 – (PORTUGAL)
Buika & Chucho Valdes: Somos / El Último Trago / Warner Music Spain 68614 – (SPAIN / CUBA)
—-
Shantel: Usti, Usti Baba / Planet Paprika / essay recordings 54 – (GERMANY)
Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band: When the Bed Breaks Down, I’ll Meet You in the Spring / Bongo Rock / Mr. Bongo Records 43 – (USA)
Bo Dollis & The Wild Magnolias: Shallow Water Oh Mama / I’m Back…At Carnival Time / Rounder 2094 – (N’AWLINS)
Tania Libertad: La Contamanina / Lo Mejor de la Musica Criolla / Phantom Records 2005 – (HAITI)
—-
Martin Buscaglia: Lovin’ You / El Evangelio Según Mi Jardinero / Love Monk Disco Buenos 16756 – (URUGUAY)
Siete Rayo: Lo Bueno N’Ma / Descemer / Universal 5160 – (CUBA)
Antonio Carlos Jobim: Milagre / Minha Alma Canta / Jobim Biscoito Fino 312 – (BRAZIL)
Rokia Traoré: Laidu / Mouneïssa / Indigo 2624 – (MALI) *Coming to the Flynn Main Stage on 4/18*
Orchestra Baobab: Dee Moo Woor / Specialist in All Styles / World Circuit 79685 – (SENEGAL)



playlist #99 (1/25/2010)-gypsy jazz swingin’

January 26, 2010
World of Music
Pgm #99 – Happy birthday, Django! Celebrating the guitar master’s life, music, and lasting legacy
Listen Mondays 3-5pm EDT  – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
—-
Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
—-
Django Reinhardt & Coleman Hawkins: Nuages / Nuages / Arkadia Jazz 71431 – (FRANCE)
Zotran Predin & Mar Django Quartet: Our Planet is a Dancer / Amant à Toutes Fins Utiles (All-Purpose Lover) / Levi Breg 2005 – (SERBIA)
Will Patton Ensemble: Valse 29 / 6th Street Runaround / King’s Hill Music 2008 – (MADE IN VT)
John Jorgenson: La Journée des Tziganes / Ultraspontane /  JJ 7050 – (USA)
—-
Swing Noire: Tchavolo Swing / Hot Jazz in the Tradition of Django Reinhardt & The Quintette of the Hot Club of France / http://www.swingnoire.com 2009 – (MADE IN VT) *NEW*
Paname Dandies: Les Chips / Le Swing de L’Escargot / Volvox Music 703 – (FRANCE)
Romane: Passion / Impair & Valse / Arco Iris 3001 821 – (FRANCE)
Benoît Charest & Béatrice Bonifsassi: Belleville Rendez-Vous / The Triplets of Belleville soundtrack / Higher Octave Music 96811 – (FRANCE)
Kruno: Spiderman / Gypsy Jazz Guitar / GJD 2006002 – (CROATIA)
—-
Orchestre Tropical d’Haïtï featuring Ti Joe Zenny: Gason Total / 40 ème Anniversaire Vol. 1 / SOCD 6 – (HAITI)
Cedric Watson: Cochon de Lait / Cedric Watson / Valcour Records 4 – (N’AWLINS)
Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars: Watching All Your Ways / Rise & Shine / Cumbancha 18 – (SIERRA LEONE) *NEW – to be released on 3/23/2010*
Frank Vignola: Swing Gitane / 100 Years of Django / Azica 72244 – (USA)
—-
Twobadou: An Chime / en Folie / Antilles Mizik 9107 – (HAITI)
Lhasa: I’m Going In / Lhasa / Nettwerk 30844 – (CANADA) *Remembering Lhasa, d. 1/1/2010*
Hot Club of Detroit & Dave Bennett, clarinet: J’Attendrai / Night Town / Mack Avenue 1041 – (DETROIT, MI)
Rebati Kay-La: Rebuild the House / Konbit: Burning Rhythms of Haiti / A&M 5281 – (HAITI)
—-
Hot Club of Cowtown: Orange Blossom Special / Continental Stomp /  Hightone Records 8163 – (AUSTIN, TX)
Hot Club of San Francisco: La Gitane / Postcards from Gypsyland / Lost Wax Records 501 – (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) *At the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre 2/6: “Silent Surrealism” (1920s silent Surrealist films with live music) – http://www.pentanglearts.org/events/event.cfm?EventID=138 *
Hot Club of Detroit: Stompin’ at Decca / Hot Club of Detroit / Mack Avenue 1030 – (DETROIT, MI)
Biréli Lagrène: Swing 49 / Django Reinhardt NY Festival 2000 Live at Birdland / Division One 83498 – (FRANCE)
—-
Ti-Loca & Wanga Nègès: An Tan Mango / Haïti-Colibri / Accordes-Croisés 127 – (HAITI)
Big Joe Burrell & Sandra Wright: I Love Him So/Three Times / Vermont Blues & Jazz Festival 1999 / The Creation Foundation 1999 – (MADE IN VT) *Remembering Sanda Wright, d. 1/11/2010*
Tchavolo Schmitt: Antsela / French Essentials / Burex Jazz 5 – (FRANCE)
—-
Django Reinhardt & the Quintette de Hot Club de France: When Day Is Done / Classic 1936-1937 Recordings / Naxos 8.120686 – (FRANCE)
—-

playlist #98 (1/18/2010)-rhythms of change

January 19, 2010
World of Music
Pgm #98 – Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the people of Haiti
Listen Mondays 3-5pm EDT  – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
—-
Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
—-
Tabou Combo: Lakay / Sans Limites / Antilles Mizik 9050 – (HAITI)
Neville Brothers: My Blood / Yellow Moon / A&M 5240 – (N’AWLINS)
Neville Brothers & Les Freres Parents: San Nou Ki La (My Blood) / Konbit! Burning Rhythms of Haiti / A&M 5281 – (N’AWLINS / HAITI)
Emeline Michel: Moso Manman / Cordes et Ame / Cheval de Feu 1 – (HAITI)
—-
Chick Corea & Gary Burton: Children’s Song / Crystal Silence / ECM 1024 – (USA)
Langston Hughes: Mother and Son (Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair) / The Voice of Langston Hughes / Smithsonian Folkways 47001 – (USA)
Nina Simone: Why? (The King of Love is Dead) / To Be Young, Gifted and Black / RCA 74413 – (USA)
Soweto Gospel Choir: In the Name of Love / In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 / Shout Factory 10608 – (S. AFRICA)
—-
Wyclef Jean: President / Welcome to Haiti Creole 101 / KOCH 5783 – (HAITI)
Bill Summers & Irvin Mayfield: Yayiti Kongo, Petwo et Nago (recorded live in Port Au Prince, Haiti) / Los Hombres Calientes vol. 4 / Basin Street Records 204 – (N’AWLINS)
Black Kold Madina: Amazing / Trouble the Water / BKM 1 – (N’AWLINS)
Orchestra Tropicana d’Haïti with Dadou Pasquet: Superstition / 40 ème Anniversaire Vol. 1 / SOCD 6 – (HAITI)
—-
Ti-Coca & Wanga Nègès: Gerda / Colibri / Accordes-Croisés 127 – (HAITI)
Mozayik: Sa Te Bel / Haitian Creole Jazz / Zoho 200506 – (USA / CUBA / HAITI)
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson: Possum Slim / It’s Your World / TVT 4370 – (USA)
—-
Tabou Combo: Fausse Conception / L’An 10 / Rotel Records 377 – (HAITI)
Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80: African Problems / Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80 / Disorient 56 – (NIGERIA)
Beethova Obas: Pa Prese “Prends ton temps” (Take your time) / Pa Prese / Sony 8420092 – (HAITI)
Fela Kuti: Sorrow Tears and Blood / The Best of the Black President / Universal 3145431972 – (NIGERIA)
—-
Twoubadou: Ke’m Pa Kontan / en Folie / Antilles Mizik 9107 – (HAITI)
Mahalia Jackson: I’m Going to Live the Life I Sing About in My Song / Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns / Columbia Legacy 65594 – (USA)
—-

a time to break the silence

January 16, 2010

On April 4, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the speech “Beyond Vietnam” at New York City’s Riverside Church. This week’s news from Haiti brings to mind King’s words, “True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth.”

This week’s World of Music honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the national holiday dedicated to the man and his life work. We’ll share information and resources for reaching out to the people of Haiti in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake, and hear from Haitian musicians including Wyclef Jean, Beethova Obas, Twoubadou, and Tabou Combo.

World of Music mixes up blues, jazz, poetry, and world music on Mondays from 3-5pm ET on the Radiator.  Online, or at 105.9FM if you’re listening in Burlington, VT.

playlist #95 (12/28/2009)-international new year dance party

December 30, 2009
World of Music
Pgm #95 – International dance party to ring in 2010, happy New Year!
Listen Mondays 3-5pm EDT  – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
—-
Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ – (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
—-
Pelay: Happy New Year / Christmas Lucian Style / VCD 339 – (WEST INDIES)
Cecilia Noël: El Cumbanchero / A Gozár / Compass Records 4501 – (PERU) *New – 2009 release*       
Palmeras Kanibales
: La Culebra / La Liga / Mamut Records 2009 – (VENEZUELA) *New – 2009 release*
Dukes of Dixieland: Holiday Time in New Orleans / New Orleans Christmas / Putumayo 256 – (N’AWLINS)
—-
Oumou Sangare: Soun Soumba / Seya / Nonesuch / 519650 (MALI) – *New – 2009 release*
The Lost Fingers: Pump Up the Jam / Lost in the ’80s / Sony 88697556082 – (QUÉBEC) *New – 2009 release*
Novalima: Tumbala / Coba Coba Remixed / Cumbancha 11 – (PERU) *New – 2009 release*
Puerto Candelaria: Muerta / Puerta Candelaria / Merlín Studios 2009 (COLOMBIA) *New – 2009 release*
—-
Kiran Ahluwlia: Vo Kuch (Passion) / India / Putumayo 288 – (INDIA) *New – 2009 release*
Syran Mbenza & Ensemble Rumba Kongo: Beyou Motema / Immortal Franco: Africa’s Unrivalled Guitar Legend / Riverboat 1050 – (CONGO) *New – 2009 release*
Rupa & The April Fishes: Culpa de la Luna (Blame it on the Moon) / Este Mundo / Cumbancha 15 – (SAN FRANCISCO) *New – 2009 release*
Willie Colón: Héctor Lavoe Medley / El Malo II: Prisoneros del Mambo / Lone Wolf 804 (PUERTO RICO) – *New – 2009 release*
—-
Color de Rumba: Lando por Bagdad / Cassava / Cassava Latin Rhythms 9 – (TORONTO) *New – 2009 release*
K’Naan: People Like Me / Troubadour / A&M Octone 12478 – (SOMALIA) *New – 2009 release*
Tinariwen: Imidiwan / Afrik Temdam / Imidiwan (Companions) / World Village 468096 – (MALI) *New – 2009 release*
Martina Camargo: Me Robaste El Sueño / Canto, Palo y Cuero / Chico World Music 2009 (COLOMBIA) *New – 2009 release*
—-
Amsterdam Klezmer Band: Vesna / Re-Tour Mexico 2009 Anthology / Muziek Centrum Nederland 2009 – (NETHERLANDS) *New – 2009 release*
Minino Garay: Que Lo Pario! / Que Lo Pario! / Naïve 145176 – (ARGENTINA) *New – 2009 release*
Akim El Sikameya: Chouia L’Mon Coeur / Introducing Akim El Sikameya / World Music Network 113 – (ALGERIA / FRANCE) *New – 2009 release*
11 Acorn Lane: Le Sexe au Téléphone (Redial remix) / Painting Coconuts / http://www.11acornlane.com  2009 – (FRANCE) *New – 2009 release*
Elisete: Le de Longe (From far away) / Minhas Cores / http://www.elisete.com 2009 – (ISRAEL / BRAZIL) *New – 2009 release*
—-
Johnny Cunningham & Friends: Auld Lang Syne / The Spirit of Christmas / North Star Music 118 – (SCOTLAND)
Ivan Lins: Novo Tempo – Fim de Ano / Um Novo Tempo / Abril Music 1107019 – (BRAZIL)
Lightning Hopkins: Happy New Year / Blue Yule / Rhino 70568 – (USA)
Michael Doucet: Auld Lang Syne / It’s Snowing All Over the World / Rock River Records 105 – (N’AWLINS)
—-

playlist #89 (11/16/2009)-songs for ‘stick’ season

November 16, 2009

Hanksville, VT

World of Music
Pgm #89 – Songs for ‘stick’ season: Autumn’s ending, winter’s not quite here yet. A few uplifting tunes will go a long way to keep the spirits up while we wait for the snow.
Listen Mondays 3-5pm EDT  – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
—-
Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix /www.intrahealth.org/open/ (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
—-
Nation Beat: Sobe A Poeira (Let Your Hair Down, Come Fall Into My Arms) / Legends of the Preacher – Modiba 7 – (NY CITY)
Orchestra Baobab: Cabral / Made in Dakar / Nonesuch 433788 – (SENEGAL)
Hermanas Ferrin: Pensamiento (Thoughts) / Mi Linda Guajira / La Raiz Sonora 8484172 – (CUBA)
MC Yogi featuring Krishna Das: Rock On Hanuman / Elephant Power / White Swan Records 83 – (INDIA)
—-
Alasdair Fraser & Paul Machlis: Ruileadh Cailleach, The Bird’s Nest, Harris Dance / Scotland the Real / Smithsonian Folkways 40511 – (SCOTLAND)
John McCutcheon: Waiting For Snow / Wintersongs / Rounder 8038 – (USA)
Rolf Lislevand & friends: Piva (by Joan Ambrosio Dalza) / Diminutio / ECM 2088 – (NORWAY) *NEW*
Marta Topferova: Mar Y Cielo (Sea and Sky) / Trova / World Village 468090 – (CZECH REPUBLIC / USA) *NEW*
Cedric Watson: J’ai Été Tout Auteur du Pays / Cedric Watson / Valcour Records 4 – (TEXAS)
—-
The Lost Fingers: You (Shook Me All Night Long) & Pump Up The Jam / Lost In The ’80s / Sony 88697556082 – (QUÉBEC) *NEW*
Easy Star All-Stars: Money / Dub Side Of The Moon / Easy Star Records 21606 – (JAMAICA)
Los Mocosos: Spill The Wine / Shades Of Brown / Six Degrees 657036 – (SAN FRANCISCO)
The Denver Dub Collective: I Would Die 4 U / Purple Dub / http://www.DenverDubCollective.com 1 – (DENVER) *NEW*
—-
Gordon Sanchez: L’Aléas de L’Hiver (The Uncertainties of Winter) / Acoustic France / Putumayo 281 – (FRANCE)
Tiris: El Leil, El Leil (The Night, The Night) / Sandtracks / Sandblast 1 – (WESTERN SAHARA)
Marta Gómez: Negrito / Entre Cada Palabra /Chesky 301 – (COLOMBIA) *NEW*
Bebo y Cigala: La Bien Pagá (Good Wages) / Lágrimas Negras (Black Tears) / Calle54 653086 – (CUBA / SPAIN)
—-
Andy Narell & Relator: Pan on Sesame Street / University of Calypso / Heads Up 3168 – (TRINIDAD) *NEW* – 40th anniversary of PBS’ “Sesame Street” last week
Aurelio Martinez: Yau (“Uncle” – traditional Garifuna) / Garifuna Soul / Stonetree 26 – (BELIZE)
Alicia Villareal: Soy Lo Prohibido / Soy Lo Prohibido / Universal 440 414 824 – (MEXICO)
Khaled: Melha / Kenza / Ark 21 Records 186 850 012 – (ALGERIA)
—-
Black Sea Hotel: Dimianinka / Black Sea Hotel / http://www.BlackSeaHotelUSA.com 2008 – (BULGARIA / USA)
Abou Chihabi: Lewo! Lewo! (Today! Today!) / Folkomor Ocean / Playasound 65188 – (LA RÉUNION)
B*Side Players: Radio Afro Mexica / Radio Afro Mexica / Global Noize 127 – (SAN DIEGO) *NEW*
DJ Bitman: My Computer Is Funk / Latin Bitman / Nacional Records 20002 – (CHILE)
—-

playlist #87 (11/2/2009)-dia de los muertos / day of the dead

November 2, 2009
2009-Nov02-DiaDeLosMuertos
World of Music
Pgm #87 – In the spirit(s) of All Souls Day & Dia de Los Muertos
Listen Mondays 3-5pm EDT  – at 105.9FM in Burlington, VT or online at The Radiator
—-
Nas with Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry: Wake Up (It’s Africa Calling) / Open Remix / http://www.intrahealth.org/open/ – (download) – (USA / SENEGAL)
—-
Los Camperos de Valles: El Llorar (The Weeping) / Dancing With the Dead / Ellipsis Arts 4200 – (OAXACA,MEXICO)
Puerto Candelaria: Muerta! (Death!) / Puerta Candelaria / Merlin Studios 2009 – (COLOMBIA) *NEW*
Cyril Smith with Rudy Vallee’s Connecticut Yankees: With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm / The Haunted House / Nimbus 2008 – (ENGLAND)
Lila Downs: La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) / La Sanduga / Narada World 72435 – (MEXICO)
Neville Brothers: Voo Doo / Yellow Moon / A&M Records 5240 – (N’AWLINS)
—-
Robert Faltus: Black Panthers / Catalan World Music Sampler 2008 / Picap 2008 – (SPAIN)
Marco Calliari: Bella Luna / Marco Calliari / Casa Nostra     N/A – (ITALY / CANADA)
Jake Shimabukuro: Thriller / Live / Hitchhike Records 1109 – (HAWAII) *NEW*
Robert Johnson: Hellhound On My Trail / Hellhound On My Trail / Indigo Records 2017 – (USA)
—-
Cuadrilla de Don Manuel Mugarra: Son de los Diablos (Song of the Devils) / Lo Mejor de…Ritmo Negro / Peruano Iempesa 1355 – (PERU)
Bob French’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Band with Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown: St. James Infirmary Blues / New Orleans Brass / Putumayo 270 – (N’AWLINS)
Kermit Ruffins feat. Juanita Brooks: When I Die (You Better Second Line) / Every Day Is A Holiday / Basin Street Records 703 – (N’AWLINS)
Louis Prima: I’ll Die Happy / Capitol Blues Collection Sampler / Capitol 1997 – (USA)
—-
Fela Kuti: Zombie / Fela Kuti: The Best of the Black President / EMI 3145431972 – (NIGERIA)
—-
Bishi: Vicious Stories / Nights At The Circus / Gryphon Records 3 – (ENGLAND / INDIA)
Café Tacuba: Esa Noche / RE / WEA 967842 – (ARGENTINA)
Los Hombres Caliente (Bill Summers & Irvin Mayfield): Vodou Hoodoo Babalu / Volume 4: Vodou Dance/  Basin Street Records 204 – (N’AWLINS)
Alejandra Robles: La Bruja (The Witch) / La Morena / AJ Records 1 – (MEXICO)
Papando Moscas: El Esqueleto del Terror (The Skeleton of Terror) / Cabeza de Chorlito! / RGS Music (N/A) – (ARGENTINA)
NG La Banda: La Bruja (The Witch) / The Best of NG La Banda / Metro Blue Music 21391 – (CUBA)
—-
Googie Rene: The Chiller/  Hip To The Jive 2 / Sonic Scenery    708021 – (USA)
Dinah Shore: The Scene of the Crime / Hip To The Jive 2 / Sonic Scenery 808021 – (USA)
Tony Trischka: The Leatherwing Bat / Territory / Smithsonian Folkways 40169 – (USA)
Alessandra Bellini with I Giullari di Piazza: Canto di Hecate (Song of Hecate) / Divine Divas / Rounder 5071 – (ITALY) – [Hecate, the Greco-Roman goddess, often associated with magic, witches, ghosts, and crossroads]
Paul Metsa: Whistling Past the Graveyard / Whistling Past the Graveyard / Raven Records     93 – (USA)
—-
Lazaro Ros & Mezcla: Ibanlayé / Cantos / Intuition Music 3080 – (CUBA)
Sonny Landreth: Congo Square / Legends of New Orleans / Blue Marble Music 2 – (N’AWLINS)
Lila Downs: Black Magic Woman / Shake Away / EMI 92437 – (MEXICO)
—-

the black pacific

October 18, 2009
(photo courtesy of Times Square Records)

Perú Negro (photo courtesy of Times Square Records)

Afro-Peruvian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, Pan-African…there don’t seem to be any limit to the ways that Africa has become hyphenated over the last few centuries of cultural blending and development.

UVM music professor Alex Stewart went a long way to sort it all out in last night’s pre-concert talk at Burlington’s Amy Tarrant Gallery.

The evening’s concert featured Afro-Peruvian singer/goddess Eva Ayllón, and with a night of traditional valses, festejo, and landó ahead a bit of explanation greatly helped in understanding how all these related but distinct musical styles came together.

A few illuminating stats opened the discussion, like the fact that half of Lima’s population was black in the year 1593. By the year 1940 only 0.47% of the population was black, as intermarriage had become common.

It wasn’t really until the mid-1950s with increased international civil rights awareness that Black Pacific* culture was revitalized and recognized for its uniqueness, thanks largely to the efforts of Jose Duran’s Pancho Fierro Dance Company, and brother/sister musicians Nicomedes and Victoria Santa Cruz. The old dances, the traditions and musical language were revisited through the recollections of the elders, and restored with a new infusion of sounds and rhythms.

I didn’t get to the concert itself, but Stewart’s compelling pre-show discussion sent me on a late-night dig through my archive to hear some of the sounds he had mentioned. From my own collection, a few recommendations: Coba Coba, a new recording from the contemporary Afro-funk band Novalima; Lima’s own roots folk band Perú Negro; singer/guitarist Chabuca Grande; singer Susana Baca; and Eva Ayllón (who is both a force of nature AND pop culture).

For further reading: Paul Gilroy’s 1993 book, The Black Atlantic & this article about Peruvian folk styles.

* (Stewart generally identifies the “black Pacific” culture with Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and the Guerrero and Oaxaca regions of Mexico)