Transpacific Sound Paradise
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Rokia Traoré
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Rokia Traoré. Photo: Richard Dumas.
Singer / songwriter / bandleader Rokia Traoré has always gone her own way. She's Malian by birth and often sings in her native Bambara, but with a diplomat dad, Traoré grew up around the world, and she has based her career in France. She has incorporated traditional Malian music into her sound but she would not call herself a traditional musician. Her lyrics often support women's rights and other socially progressive themes. Her latest CD, the sparse, intimate "Tchamantché" (Nonesuch) takes a step further away from her West African roots - but still does not abandon them completlely. Rokia joins us to talk about the new CD and other musical adventures.
Rokia's tour dates through the end of 2009 are in Europe. She will be back in North America in the spring with a show scheduled at the Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16 St in NYC on April 17.
This Week's Playlist:
(* = new)
Os Mutantes:
Domingo no Parque
/ Live on Som Pop - TV Cultura 1969
/ Unreleased
/
With Gilberto Gil
T.P.A.O. Batman Ork: Ay Beyaz Deniz Mavi / Various Artists: Altın Mikrofon / Dogan Music /
MarchFourth Marching Band: Simplon Cocek / Rise Up / MarchFourth Music / *
Rude Mechanical Orchestra: Choli Ke Peeche / Various Artists: Honk Festival CD / Honk Festival /
Mucca Pazza: Borino Oro / Plays Well Together / Leather Bus, Inc. /
Hungry March Band: Red Box / Temporary Utopias / Hungry March Band /
Fela: Witchcraft / The '69 Los Angeles Sessions / Sterns /
Jacky Mekaiten: At Li KeHalom / Greatest Hits B / Reuveni Bros /
Arash Hawaida: Alah Alah / Various Artists: Afghan Star (Soundtrack) / Silva Screen / *
Chimora:
Mayibuye Iafrika
/ Mayibuye Iafrika
/ ZMC
/ 1990
/
Zimbabwean LP I picked up along w/ El Mejor del Año (see below) and others at Som Records,
a world music-friendly used LP shop at 1843 14th St NW (at T St, nr. Dupont Circle), Washington DC
Rokia Traoré: Tchamantché / Tchamantché / Nonesuch /
Rokia Traoré: Mousso Gnaleden / Wanita / Indigo /
Rokia Traoré: Mouneïssa / Mouneïssa / Indigo /
Rokia Traoré: Dounia / Tchamantché / Nonesuch /
Rokia Traoré: Zen / Tchamantché / Nonesuch /
Rokia Traoré: Koronoko / Tchamantché / Nonesuch /
Rokia Traoré: Tounka / Tchamantché / Nonesuch /
Eva Ayllon:
El Surco
/ Kimbafa
/ Times Square Records
/
Song in Festejo style written by Chabuca Granda, Ayllon's great influence.
Susana Baca: Harawi / Seis Poemas / Luaka Bop / *
Alex Cuba: De Camino / Agua del Pozo / Caracol Records / *
Franco:
Nostalgie
/ Francophonic Vol. 2
/ Sterns
/
*
New anthology
Wganda Kenya: La Gripita / Various Artists: El Mejor del Año 1977 1978 / Delujo /
Smokey Hormel: Fiesta Folkloric / Smokey's Secret Family / Afro Sambas / *
Yasmin Levy: Si Veriash / Mano Suave / Times Square Records / *
Ulaş Özdemir: Güzel Yar / This Breath / Kalan /
Mavrothi Kontanis: Nikriz Longa / Wooden Heart / Mavrothi T Kontanis Music /
Yalla: Eto Lyubov / Tri Kolodsa / Melodiya /
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