Last week, Benjamin Lebrave connected with DJ Rupture for his weekly show on New York’s WFMU. If you don’t know about Rupture… well, now’s a good time to learn more about the hyper active producer / journalist. The two had connected last fall in Tilburg for Generation Bass‘ Incubate event. Fast forward a few months, and there was still plenty to share about what we’ve been up to, and what we’re cooking up with our imminent move to Accra, Ghana. Listen below, and/or subscribe to the podcast to download the full show.
For almost 2 years now, we’ve been building a diverse roster of contemporary artists from all over Africa. From Malian traditional music to kuduro, highlife to salsa, Akwaaba has been covering much ground, yet one important piece has been missing: Congolese soukous. Perhaps the most significant genre across the entire continent during the 1970s and 1980s, and a style particularly dear to our ears. We’re in the process of fixing this, with an imminent release from Zaiko Langa Langa, soukous pioneers still touring to this day. But before that, bbrave serves us this here pungent mix of Congolese classics.
The story goes like this: our friends over at Dublab asked bbrave to do a mix for them. Rather than stick to club territory, why not use Dublab’s incredibly diverse platform to indulge into something more personal? And less obvious? So we bring to you this mix. Not afrofunk, this is pure soukous: raunchy snares, melodic guitars, and frenzy tempos. The whole of Africa has danced to this, are you ready for it?
Sam Mangwana – Georgette Eckins
Prince Luciano Kimpouni et les Kamba Kamba – Mbuale
As always, Marcos Sacchi takes us all over the world, download the latest episode of his Mundiando podcast while it lasts!! And check out the full tracklist on his site as well.
Marcos Sacchi’s Mundiando podcast always packs a whirlwind of a playlist. In the latest episode, we find our own Rose Dede Tetteh among some of our favorite artists. Here’s the full playlist: (from Mundiando)
01- Vieux Farka Touré | Sarama (Earthrise Soundsystem Remix) | Other Roads: Fondo Remixed | www.sixdegreesrecords.com
02- Jamshied Sharifi | Hyena | Footsteps In Africa: A Nomadic Journey | www.footstepsafrica.com
03- Baaba Maal | International (John Leckie Remix) | International Remixes DJ promo | www.baabamaal.tv
04- Fat Freddy´s Drop | Pull The Catch (Radio Vocal) | Promo Single | www.fatfreddysdrop.com
05- Tom Waits | Clap Hands | Peter Kruder Private Collection | www.g-stoned.com
06- Richard Bona | Shiva Mantra | The Ten Shades Of Blues | http://tinyurl.com/y85bqey
07- Tommy T Feat.Gigi Shibabaw | Eden | The Prester John Sessions | www.easystar.com
08- Somi | Enganjyani (Feat.Hugh Masekela) | If The Rains Come First | www.somimusic.com
09- Telmary Diaz | Spiritual Sin Egoismo | Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura- New Cuba Sound | www.brownswoodrecordings.com
10- Ocote Soul Sounds | Cara de Yo No Fui | Coconut Rock | www.eslmusic.com
11- Mulatu Astatke | I Faram Gami I Faram | New York-Addis-London The Story of Ethio Jazz | www.strut-records.com
12- Cedric Watson and Bijou Créole | Zydeco Paradise | L’éspirit Créole | www.valcourrecords.com
13- René Lacaille | Kaméléon | Cordéon Kaméléon | http://tinyurl.com/y9gp3yb
14- Robert Loison | Jean Fouillé, Pie Fouillé | Tumbélé! Biguine, Afro & Latin Sounds – French Caribbean 1963-73 | www.soundwayrecords.com
15- Karlex | I Nèg’Marron | With All Due Respect | www.karlexmusic.com
16- T.P.Orchestre Poly-Rhytmo | Aihe Ni Kpe We | The Kings Of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80 | www.soundwayrecords.com
17- Staff Benda Bilili | Marguerite | Très Très Fort | www.crammed.be
18- Rose Dede Tetteh | Wonju | Akwaaba Wo Africa | www.akwaabamusic.com
19- The Very Best | Warm Heart Of Africa (Architeture In Helsinki Remix) | The Very Best Remixes | www.myspace.com/theverybest
20- Bela Fleck & Oumou Sangare | Ah Ndiya | Throw Down Your Heart – africa sessions: Tales From the Acoustic Planet Vol. 3 | www.belafleck.com
21- Kottarashky | Blatoto | Opa hey! | www.asphalt-tango.de
22- Unknown Artist | Gringo | CDR From Bar Nosso Recanto In Belém Pará – Brasil
23- Otto | Filha | Certa Manhã Acordei de Sonhos Intranqüilos | www.nublu.net
24- Diogo Poças e CéU | Nada que Te Diz respeito | Tempo | www.myspace.com/diogopocas
25- Boban I Marko Markovic | Kum Boemcina | Devla: Blown Away To Dancefloor Heaven | www.piranha.de
26- Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz | O Samba Nasceu Na Bahia | Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz | www.myspace.com/letieresleiteamporkestrarumpilezz
27- Gangbé Brass Band | Um Été À Vodelée | As
You may remember Killamu’s remix of Tiramakossa on our Akwaaba Sem Transportekuduro compilation. His full album A Minha Face comes out very soon, starting with an iTunes exclusive January 12, 2010. We couldn’t resist to give you a free preview of one of his bangin’ kuduro beats. It was hard to pick one, the album features a handful of instrumental kuduro beats, as well as “regular” songs with some of Luanda’s finest lyricists. And even a couple kizomba tracks!
We look forward to unveiling the entire album, but in the meantime, we hope you dig Flaminguinho, a nice ingredient to blend into your mixes, o DJ friends. Blast it, pass it, slice it, dice it, and if you have a mix send it over, we can feature it here in our podcast. Feedback is always appreciated as well!
