· April, 2011

Stories about Music from April, 2011

Cuba: Silvio and Pablo

  29 April 2011

In Juan sin nada [es], Juan Orlando Pérez analyzes the state of affairs in Cuba through the politics of famous nueva trova musicians and composers Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés.

Cote d'Ivoire: The Music of Espoir 2000

  25 April 2011

Abena writes about the Ivorian music group Espoir 2000: “I've been listening to one of my favorite Ivorian music groups Espoir 2000 (Hope 2000). Their 2006 album Gloire et Dieu (God and Glory) is not only laden with infectious ‘zouglou’ tracks but with lyrics full of wisdom and a little...

Puerto Rico: Music on the Street

  23 April 2011

The series Música Realenga, which shows live recordings of independent bands improvising on the street, continues to engage us through the website Frecuencias Alternas [es] . Enjoy the music of rock band Campo-Formio playing at the corner of the Loíza and Santa Cecilia Streets in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

Morocco: Controversy Over International Music Festival

Each year the capital Rabat is the epicenter of a major music festival, Mawazine. Since its modest launch in 2001, Mawazine has grown, and in the last decade has become the top national entertainment gathering. With the backdrop of political protests and calls for change though, controversy is rising in the Moroccan blogosphere around the use of public money for sponsoring the festival.

Jamaica: Vampire Humour

  14 April 2011

With the help of Trinidadian artist Christopher Cozier, Active Voice reveals another dimension to the recent Vybz Kartel cartoon controversy.

Cambodia: Songs About Facebook

  12 April 2011

In Cambodia, Facebook is not yet considered a threat by the government. Politicians led by Prime Minister Hun Sen (who has been in power since 1985) have created their own Facebook pages where they interact with Cambodian citizens and netizens. There is however, a newer interesting Facebook trend in the country: Cambodians are creating songs about Facebook.

Brazil: Mapping a Traditional Music Instrument Online

  11 April 2011

Rabeca.org is an online project that aims to gather and present information about the Brazilian rabeca and Guanari rawé in a map with audio recordings, photos, texts and videos. The platform offers an opportunity to explore this fascinating instrument similar to a violin, but with a regional focus and tradition.

Jamaica: Cruel Cartoon?

  11 April 2011

Jamaica Woman Tongue has her say about cartoonist Clovis Brown’s recent caricature of Vybz Kartel: “The genuine wit of the stinging editorial cartoon appears to have degenerated into little more than vulgar gutter sniping.”

Hungary: Fear of Pushing Copyright Term Extension Proposal

Kluwer Copyright Blog writes: “According to an official press release, the Danish government has changed its position and now endorses the European Commission’s proposal to extend the term of protection for sound recordings. Since Denmark was part of a fragile blocking minority in the European Council, there is a danger...

Japan: Machine Civilization

  2 April 2011

Pinktentacle presented [en] the latest coreographed video by World Order, the performance group led by former martial artist Genki Sudo. The video is called Machine Civilization and is a message of hope for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. “The unprecedented disasters unfolding in Japan; earthquakes, tsunami, and nuclear...

Ghana: “African Woman” by Ghana's Afro Pop Queen

  1 April 2011

Jemila writes about the latest video from Ghana's Afropop Queen, Becca titled : African Woman: “You know Circumspect couldn't pass this one by. Check out her other vids too; she has such a unique and authentic flavor and def love how she reps her African identity!”