Stories about Music from October, 2010
Jamaica: Storm's Perspective
Active Voice posts an interview with Storm Saulter, the director of Better Mus Come, Jamaica's latest feature film.
Russia: Music Battle Over the Khimki Forest
Masha Egupova writes about the Khimki Forest dispute and the role that some popular Russian musicians play in it.
Jamaica: The Force of Film
Annie Paul reviews Better Mus’ Come, which she says “signals the end of a long drought in Jamaican film-making and shatters the formula the few movies that have been made here have followed.”
Republic of Congo: Bass Player from Japan Learns Lingala to Collaborate with Music Stars
Japanese-born bass player Niwa explains in this video interview that his motivation for learning Lingala was to get better acquainted with the music scene in Congo [fr/ln]. Niwa is now also a Congolese citizen and has played with Congolese music superstars Tonton Zao and Bisso Na Bisso.
Ghana: Interview with Ghanaian musician Koby Maxwell
Museke talks to Ghanaian musician Koby Maxwell: “Koby gave a marvelous performance and became the toast of the audience. He spent the weekend in the Bay Area and Museke caught up with him to learn his story and find out about his music.”
Bermuda: Calling Calypsonians
“It's a shame that folk music and calypso in Bermuda is a virtually dead art”: BeachLime.com thinks that the country needs calypsonians.
Nigeria: Fela's music is the weapon Nigeria needs
Remembering Fela Kuti and the relevance of his music in Nigeria: “Whenever there is a crisis or any news of injustice in Nigeria my mind goes to Fela and I wish he was still here to articulate events through his music. His music and his words reached all sections of...
Jamaica: Bail for Buju?
As the judge presiding over the Buju Banton drug trial considers whether the singer should be granted bail, Girl With a Purpose says: “Many Jamaicans and those who love Jamaica and Reggae music are still holding our breaths…”
Trinidad & Tobago: History of Calypso
“Calypso, along with the steelpan, is probably Trinidad & Tobago's greatest cultural export”: MEP Caribbean Publishers blogs about Calypso History Month.
Burkina Faso: Folk Singer Icon Mahama Konaté Is No More
Le Faso.net reports that the Mahama Konaté, icon of the Senoufo traditional music passed away today [fr]. Konaté was the founder of the band “Farafina” and insisted on making his own instruments, arguing that “music is just a way of giving back what nature has to offer”.
Nigeria: Reflections on 50 Years of Independence
The Golden Jubilee for Africa's most populous country is being celebrated throughout the nation and the global diaspora with speeches, concerts, parties and all manner of other events. But some say: is there even anything to celebrate? For many, the last fifty years seem an accelerated decent into chaos. Still, for most Nigerians, October 1st is a time for festivities.
St. Kitts & Nevis: Arrow's Day
Repeating Islands notes that today is an official day of mourning in St. Kitts and Nevis, in honour of the late calypsonian, Arrow.
