The Whole Music Experience

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba Speak Fula Next Ambiance/Subpop I love griot music of Mali—the kora, n’goni (West African banjo), calabashes, and soaring vocals. You might have already read numerous reviews on The Whole Music Experience featuring Malian music and no doubt, you’ll read more in the future. I was listening to NPR’s “All Things Considered” one evening and heard a segment on the n’goni player and rising music star, Bassekou Kouyate. I stopped whatever I was doing at the time, sat down and listened to the stunning music rising from my portable stereo. The piece that I heard possessed ambient qualities with Malian female vocals surfing over the top of jagged rhythms and traditional instruments. The vocalist, Amy Sacko that captured my attention is Kouyate's wife. But she’s only one of many stars on this album which also features the son of Ali Farka Toure (Vieux Farka Toure), a singer with a golden throat, Kasse Mady Diabate, kora master Toumani Diabate, and ...

Celtic Woman 4 Compilation Valley Entertainment Julie Fowlis Uam (From Me) Shoeshine Records Altan with R.T. E. Concert Orchestra 25th Anniversary Celebration Compass Records When I first discovered Celtic music in College, I made the mistake of thinking that Celtic music only derived from the United Kingdom. If Galicia, Brittany, Cape Breton and Quebec were mentioned, it went in one ear and out the other. I remember some viewers of the PBS special RiverDance feeling stunned with the inclusion of Spanish flamenco in its Celtic program. Of course, flamenco doesn't possess Celtic roots as far as I know, but Spain boasts Celtic regions in Asturias and Galicia where Celtic music plays a dominant role complete with Spanish bagpipes and other regional instruments.  Brittany has its French version of Celtic music. The compilation recording, Celtic Woman 4 released on Valley Entertainment provides a collection of songs performed by Irish and Scottish wome...