On July 14, 1995 KPFK's DJ Namdi of the great African music show Afrodicia invited the incomparable Rumba Rock King Papa Wemba to perform live. It was a joy to be the engineer that captured this amazing voice and live performance. 

This song Awa Y'okeyi (If you Go Away) is as soulful and beautiful as it gets... The album has him singing with piano.. here he is singing with acoustic guitar accompaniment.

In about 2001 I met him at a Reggae on the River show in Northern California. After his performance and after the band I was managing at the time's performance he was fielding questions in the media tent. I asked him if he knew Patrice Lumumba and how his death changed the course of African history... He told me that Patrice Lumumba was from his home village.. and that the Congo, Africa and the entire world has suffered with the loss of Lumumba. What a magical moment to dialog with Papa Wemba... you will be missed..!!!

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Papa Wemba performs Awa Y'okeyi live at KPFK 90.7 FM July 14, 1995

Dorian Wood returned to the KPFK 90.7 Airwaves on May 13, 2017 ahead of the release Xalá. This is Dorian's first Spanish language release. The music is beautiful, the lyrics are powerful and Dorian Wood fans will not be disappointed.  The Show is hosted by Mark Torres and Mariluz Gonzalez. The interview will be posted separately.

www.DorianWood.com
www.KPFK.org

Dorian Wood Live on Travel Tips For Aztlan - KPFK 90.7 FM May 13 2017

Viva Mr. Lou

In the six months since this legend's passing, the pain and sorrow of our lives doesn't seem like some times, but most times for the foreseeable future. And in that context, I can no longer hear this song as a feel good throwback, but as a challenge and a charge to recognize all struggles and take up one's proper share of the load.

Dorian Wood Live on Travel Tips For Aztlan - KPFK 90.7 FM May 13 2017

Mares Entertainment

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