Day 2 of the Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST 2022 virtual showcases took place on Wednesday, January 19 at 8:00 p.m. The event, hosted by African music star Angelique Kidjo, featured world music and other genres.
Kombilesa Mí (Colombia)
The first act that evening was Kombilesa Mí, an Afro-Colombian ensemble from northern Colombia based in a settlement founded by former slaves that escaped from captivity.
The highlight for me was the drumming, performed with a wide range of fascinating northern Colombian drums. The group defines its style as Palenque rap so all songs featured rapping delivered by a female and male rapper. This group may appeal to those who enjoy hip-hop combined with world music elements. More about the group at kombilesami.bandcamp.com
Northern Cree (Canada)
The second act was Northern Cree from Maskwacis in Alberta, western Canada. The group was founded in 1982 by the Wood brothers (Steve, Randy, Charlie, and Earl Wood) of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. This year marks Northern Cree’s 40th birthday as a group.
The performance featured Northern Cree dazzling round dance and pow wow songs with energetic drumming and powerful and passionate singing along with spoken word and flute. Dancers were Leah Omeasoo and Rusty Gillette.
Northern Cree is one of the best-known and popular groups in the pow wow circuit. They have released numerous albums, many of them on the influential Canyon Records label in Arizona.
Northern Cree’s partial discography includes Rockin’ the Rez (2001), Round Dance Jam (2002), Still Rezin’ (2003), Nikamo – Sing (2005), Northern Cree & Friends, Vol. 5: Long Winter Nights (2006), Stay Red (2006), Red Rock: Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live at Muckleshoot (2008), True Blue (2009), Temptations: Cree Round Dance Songs (2010), Dancerz Groove: Cree Round Dance Songs (2012), It’s a Cree Thing (2016), Ewipihcihk (2016), Miyo Kekisepa, Make A Stand (2017), Nitisanak – Brothers and Sister (2018) and When It’s Cold – Cree Round Dance Songs (2019).
More about Northern Cree at northerncree82.com
Son Rompe Pera (Mexico)
Son Rompe Pera is the increasingly popular Mexican band that combines modern cumbia with Mexican marimba music.
The group performed a fantastic, captivating marimba-fueled show from an iconic dancehall venue called Salón Los Ángeles in Mexico City.
Two special guests joined the band, guitarist Tio Gil (Gil Gutiérrez) from Oaxaca, and Chilean cumbia star El Macha (Aldo Enrique Asenjo Cubillos) on guitar and vocals.
Son Rompe Pera has an album titled Batuco. More about Son Rompe Pera.
Watch the Day 2 showcases at:
(headline image: Son Rompe Pera with El Macha at Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST 2022)
Read about Day 1 showcases: Tiny Desk meets globalFEST 2022, Day 1
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.