Argentine Folk Music Legend Mercedes Sosa Dies at 74
One of the most popular Argentine folk singers, Mercedes Sosa, died today in Buenos Aires of liver disease. She was 74. Mercedes Sosa was born…
Cuba in a Funk and Funky
Si Para Usted: The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba, Vol. 2 (Waxing Deep Records WAX003, 2009) When Castro’s Cuban regime was at its most repressive,…
Corsican Cantu in paghjella Declared Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
The UNESCO Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage, chaired by Awadh Ali Saleh Al Musabi (United Arab Emirates), identified The Cantu in paghjella…
Throat Singing, Tango, Radif, Candombe and Other Music and Dance Traditions celebrated by UNESCO
The Tango of Argentina and Uruguay, The Radif of Iran, the Mongolian art of Khoomei singing, and the traditional Ainu dance of Japan are among…
A Passage From India
Kailash Kher and Kailasa Yatra (Nomadic Souls) (Cumbancha CMB-CD-14, 2009) My office mate, who was born and raised in India and revisits there yearly, smiled…
New Manu Chao Live Album and DVD to Be Released in November 2009
Manu Chao will release Baionarena (Nacional Records in the USA), a double live album/DVD set, on November 17th. The album was recorded at the prestigious…
Afghan Rising Stars
Various Artists Afghan Star (Silver Screen Records, 2009) The soundtrack to the film Afghan Star, a documentary following four contestants participating in Afghanistan’s television’s talent…
UNESCO Declares “Tango” Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage declared “Tango” as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the meeting held today in Abu…
Lushly Smooth
Ithamara Koorax and Juarez Moreira Bim Bom: The Complete Joao Gilberto Songbook (Motéma Music, 2009) In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Brazilian guitarist João…
Saharawi Singer Attacked for Wearing Traditional Scarf
Renowned Saharawi singer Mariem Hassan was attacked by Moroccan youths in Madrid after having breakfast. The popular Saharawi singer was leaving a cafeteria with guitarist…