I noticed that the great Cal Tjader passed away around 40 years ago today (May 5th), and while I typically don't like doing death anniversaries, it did feel like a good time to revisit some of his records. The feeling of his music can't be understated - it just feels GOOD. Especially right now as spring moves toward summer, it seems perfect to break these albums out. This episode is also a bit of a sequel to an earlier Tjader mix on episode 24 of PFTS - I made sure to play a different selection of tracks, so go back and check that one too if you haven't already! Hope you enjoy.

May 5 2021

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 166 (More Cal Tjader)

Currulao is the traditional music of Colombia’s majority-Black, southern Pacific coastal region. In this episode, professor Michael Birenbaum Quintero describes how this performative practice has been used to grapple with modernization, dramatize Black politics, demonstrate national heritage and generate economic development. Currulao connects the past to an emerging future as the identification and role of race in Colombia has changed across multiple generations of musicians. Produced by Nathaniel Braddock.

Agua y Luz: Music of Tumaco and the Afro Colombian Pacific

Buy / Stream the album here: https://orcd.co/songofisland

A private press rarity that few know of, ‘Song of Island’ was the third album from pianist Yasuhiro Kohno’s trio, recorded live at the jazz club and live house (gig venue) ‘Again’ in August 1985. Pressed up in small numbers, ‘Song for Island’ was issued on the private ASCAP Records, set up by pianist and band leader Yasuhiro Kohno.

The album is a follow up to Kohno-san’s previous two albums, ‘Peace’ and ‘Roma in the Rain’, released on the cult Aketa’s Disk label. However, unlike the ‘Peace’ and ‘Roma in the Rain’ albums, ‘Song of Island’ has never been reissued before – until now. The title track was
included on J Jazz volume 3. This is a very special album that captures a special time in Japanese jazz, when exemplary acoustic jazz was still being performed and recorded by dedicated and talented artists at the height of mid-80s synth pop. ‘Song of Island’ features four original compositions by Yasuhiro Kohno plus a distinctive take on a jazz standard.

Yasuhiro Kohno was born in Nara, southern Japan, in 1953 and made his professional debut as a member of Japanese rocker Eikichi Yazawa's band before going on to accompany actor/singer Masatoshi Nakamura. As well as recording and performing under his own
name, Kohno has also played with American musicians such as Richard Davis and Mal Waldron and continues to perform regularly in Japan.

‘Song of Island’ will be issued as a full reproduction of the original work, with inserts, translated original sleeve notes, plus new sleeve notes, photos, and an interview with Yasuhiro Kohno by Tony Higgins.

Yasuhiro Kohno Trio + One - Love For Sale

DJ Kix returns by taking us on a musical journey across Africa, showcasing some of the continent’s formidable women who are quickly rising in the industry and making their presence known.

In this episode we’ll hear from: top Namibian MC, Lioness; Zimbabwean Afro-fusion artist, Gemma Griffiths; as well as Kaleo Sansaa from Zambia with her “sun-drunk” sounds and “solar-based” hip-hop; alongside Hibotep’s experimental East African electro vibes and Rhita Nattah’s Aissaoua-influenced Moroccan tunes.

We’re delving deep into what it’s like being a woman in the ever-evolving and fast-paced contemporary African music scene. All this plus an incredible playlist of music by women who are breaking the mold in their own way, and inspiring all.

APWW #852
Produced by DJ Kix

Afropop Women Of Note

In hard times and boom times, people in Ghana know how to party. In this program, we hear the regional pop and neotraditional music that animates festivals, funerals and community celebrations across the county. We travel to the lush Volta region in the east to hear Ewe borborbor, agbadza and brass band music. In the northern city of Tamale, we hear Dagbani traditional music, hip-hop and pop, and visit the vibrant Damba chieftaincy festival in nearby Yendi. Back in the bustling metropolis, Accra, we get down to the latest pop hits and underground styles moving hips in the capital city.

Produced by Morgan Greenstreet in 2018.

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APWW PGM #745

Ghana - Celebration Sounds

Afro-Sweden? Who knew? Over the past 60 years, a number of musicians from Africa and its diaspora have come to base themselves, or have been born, in Sweden. And recently, they have emerged as a collective voice in Swedish society. From the acoustic Mande folk of Sousou and Maher Cissoko, to the kaleidoscopic hip-hop of Timbuktu, and the smooth soul-pop of Swedish-born, Gambian-descended Seinabo Sey, there’s definitely something happening in Scandinavia. On this program we speak with and hear recent music from a wide range of African and diasporic artists in Sweden, and get context from ethnomusicologist Ryan Skinner, who has immersed himself deeply in the Afro-Swedish scene for the past 15 years. 

Produced by Banning Eyre and Ryan Skinner
Originally aired Oct 18, 2018
APWW #790

A Visit To Afro-Sweden

From Paris to New Orleans and Boston, Haitian musicians are shaking up the music scene. The island’s powerful Africa-rooted culture—from celebratory rara and sensuous kompa to the deep well of vodun songs—has become a global force. In this program, we spend time with racine music veteran Lolo Beaubrun of Boukman Eksperyans, and his rising star son, Paul Beaubrun, both on a swing through New England. We also meet Paris-based Moonlight Benjamin, and hear recent New Orleans-tinged music from Lakou Mizik and RAM. Finally, we meet Tjovi Ginen, a pan-African band featuring the provocative and humorous spoken words of Boston-based Haitian educator and animator Daniel Laurent. A romping update on all things Haitian. Produced by Banning Eyre.

Originally produced in 2019
APWW #806

From Haiti To The World

There’s been a lot of speculation about the chain of musical events that link the blues back to Africa. Most of that chain is unrecorded and shrouded in mystery. But there is one chapter, just before the blues, that we do know something about. And that’s the history of African-American string bands. This program explores that history, with music and memories from a special guest, the late string maestro Howard Armstrong. Along the way, we hear music from Canray Fontenot, Blind James Campbell, Hobard Smith and other legends of this little known chapter of Americana. Originally produced in 2000 by Banning Eyre.

APWW #326

The African American String Music Tradition

In January, 2000, a group of adventurous Afropop listeners accompanied by local artists including Habib Koite and special guest Bonnie Raitt toured Mali to hear the country’s extraordinary music. This program recaps the adventure with vivid live recordings of Habib, Khaira Arby, the Super Rail Band, Lobi Traore and others in nightclubs, private homes and in the dunes of the Sahara. It was a trip that could never happen today, but close your eyes and listen, and you’ll feel the magic. Produced by Sean Barlow and Banning Eyre. 

APWW #329

Mali Magic 2000

This week’s show focuses on FESTAC ’77, a Pan-African culture and arts festival that brought together over 15,000 people from Africa and the African diaspora. Adjusting for inflation, $1.7B was spent on the festival by the suddenly oil-rich Nigeria to host such a monumental event. The primary aim was to decolonize perceptions of black culture and to discuss ways to nurture African pride and unity going forward, and not everyone agreed how to go about this (Lepold Senghor versus Sekou Toure versus Fela Kuti). For part one, I alternative between presenting some of the intellectual controversy leading up and during the festival and playing records that praised FESTAC ’77 or had the National Theatre (which was built for the festival) featured on the cover of the LP. 

To this point most of my reading about the festival was through the amazing book FESTAC ’77 by Chimurenga based in Cape Town (https://chimurengachronic.co.za/festac-77-book/). 

They also have a mixtape that goes with it: https://www.mixcloud.com/chimurenga/festac-a-mixtape-by-chimurenga/

FESTAC '77 [Part 1: The National Theatre]

Tetu Shani - AfricaSun

Afropop Worldwide is an internationally syndicated weekly radio series, online guide to African and world music, and an international music archive, that has introduced American listeners to the music cultures of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean since 1988. Our radio program is hosted by Georges Collinet from Cameroon, the radio series is distributed by Public Radio International to 110 stations in the U.S., via XM satellite radio, in Africa via and Europe via Radio Multikulti. 

The African American String Music Tradition

Afropop Worldwide

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