Stories about Music from August, 2007
Producing traditional music in Benin
Benin couleurs posts photos of a Solidarite Internationale project to build a sound studio (Fr) that will produce traditional music.
Madagascar : Andriamanankoavy Jonny r'afa on why he writes
Malagasy Author-Musician-Sculptor Andriamanankoavy Jonny r'afa explains his art : “D'abord, à travers l'Art, entretenir et enrichir la ” Mémoire Collective ” des Malgaches. Celà reste un devoir par respect des origines. Trouver alors ce qu'il faut préserver, et les transmettre, les traduire.” “Through art, one can maintain and enrich the...
Gambia: Gambian Hip Hop
The global reach of Hip Hop phenomenon: “This is Gambian hip-hop artist Dr Olugander, one of the opening acts of the 2nd International Sable Litfest in Bakau last month.”
Kuwait: Crazy Week for Bloggers
Kuwaiti bloggers had a crazy week, which started with an earthquake, or rather a small tremor, early on Saturday morning. The next day a blogger was arrested for a comment an anonymous reader left on his online forum. The week culminated with a fire at a local hospital and the resignation of Kuwait's first female minister.
Japan: Crazy for a Bug
A catchy tune about a funny-looking bug that bites people's bums and makes them happy, featured regularly as filler between children's programming on the national broadcaster NHK, is catching on like crazy across Japan. In this post, read more about the thinking behind the song, reactions from Japanese bloggers, and a post from one of the creators of the clip.
Israeli Journalist ‘Terrorises’ Ajram
Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram was ‘terrorised’ by an Israeli journalist in Jordan, notes Naseem Tarawnah.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Voluntourists”
Bosnia Vault links to a piece on “voluntourists” in Srebrenica.
Jamaica: Entertainers Talk About Dean
Wondering what Jamaican entertainers thought of Hurricane Dean? Yardflex.com asks them…
Bahamas: The Value of Culture
An international take on a Bahamian song leads Nicolette Bethel to muse about “the general dismissal of culture in general (and, by extension, of our culture in particular)”, stating; “most of us…are missing the point when it comes to cultural discussions.”
Azerbaijan: Soviet Funk
English Russia posts a vintage video of famous Soviet-era singer Muslim Magomaev. The clip, besides showcasing a great example of Soviet funk music, also features a lot of footage of Azerbaijan's capital Baku made during these times.
Barbados, Jamaica: One Love
Gallimaufry reports that “The Anglican Church in Jamaica is proposing the addition of songs by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh to its hymnal.”
Guatemala: Music in Election Campaigns
Music from many different genres is being used for campaign purposes and Elecciones Guatemala [ES] provides some examples of song lyrics.
Jamaica: Musical Island
“Jamaica is a country of music” – and it fascinates Francis Wade.
Former Soviet Union: Jazz
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about jazz in the Soviet Union – and about stilyagas.
Ukraine, U.S.: Gogol Bordello
Ukraine List writes that Gogol Bordello band “has been all over the TV and radio in the US as of late promoting their new album Super Taranta.”
Pakistan: Patriotism and Music
Patriotism seems to find a lot of resonance in music. More at Metroblogging Lahore.
D.R. of Congo: Rest in Peace, Madilu “Multi Système”
Rest in peace the Grand Pharaoh, Madilu: “He was Bialu Madilu, also known as Multi Système, Grand Pharaoh, Grand Ninja, Sa Majesté and Grande Baleine. Born in Matadi, in the province of Bas Congo, he sang with Simaro and Tabu Ley Rochereau before joining TPOK Jazz. Sadly, he died on...
Russia: Hitler's Music Collection
Sean's Russia Blog writes about a Russian woman whose father owned 100 items from Hitler's private record collection.
Africa: the music of Samba Mapangala and Dar International
Steve Ntwiga's musical link takes you to East Africa: Meet Samba Mapangala and Dar International.
Angola: life-affirming dance in Angola
Kilandukilu is a dance group from Angola, which brings together the old and the new: “Kilandukilu was founded by a group of friends in the Maculusso municipality of Luanda twenty-one years ago, bridging traditional Angolan beats with break-dance, pop and even funk. “These are works basically about our history, they...
Bahrain: Top Tips for Secret Smokers!
Children are the future, right? Some bloggers in Bahrain are not too optimistic. We find others who are fed up of religious leaders, are enjoying watching people, and are smoking in secret. Two bloggers are moved by the sound of Arabic – one by the classical language, another by a local dialect. We start with a question regarding Muslims and the debate about globalisation.
