World Circuit/Nonesuch Records present singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara’s debut album, Fatou. Diawara, who was raised in Mali and now lives in Paris, has been receiving rave reviews since the album’s release in the UK and Europe. The Telegraph called her “the most beguiling talent to hit the world music scene in some time,” and says “this stylish debut doesn’t …
Amadou and Mariam are a middle-aged blind couple from Mali who have been singing and playing together since the 1970s, when they met at a school for the blind in Bamako. For years, they have enjoyed modest success, with Amadou playing guitar alongside Salif Keita in Les Ambassadeurs, and the couple’s own R&B fusion albums notching up moderate …
Return To Pride Rock: Songs Inspired By Disney’s The Lion King II – Simba’s Pride
To answer your question: no, there’s no “Hakuna Matata” here. (Did you really expect one to accompany this straight-to-video sequel?) But that’s alright. Ladysmith Black Mambozo (on two tracks), Angelique Kidjo (who contributes the album’s best original song, “We Are One”), and a duet between Kenny Lattimore and Heather Headley account for the starpower here, and all are …
World Circuit s Nick Gold produced Toumani & Sidiki with engineer Jerry Boys (Ali Farka Touré, Buena Vista Social Club, Orchestra Baobab), a longtime collaborator, and with Lucy Duran, producer of Toumani s previous albums, as co-producer. The album is a set of unaccompanied kora duets, recorded live at London s RAK studios with little rehearsal (for some …
Angelique Kidjo is a world renowned, Benin born, Grammy nominated singer. Her diverse music has won fans across the globe, as she effortlessly blends traditional African pop music with contemporary, modern grooves. She has been appointed as Good Will Ambassador by UNICEF, and performed her music in front of world leaders and dignitaries as well as millions of …
The Kenyan Boys Choir are a group of 25 school boys from various backgrounds and tribes who have been given the chance by their inspirational founder Joseph Muyale for a better life through their magical music. They were invited to perform at US president Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony where their stunning and uplifting music of joy and hope …
Performance highlights of the Soweto Gospel Choir across their 10 year history, featuring 19 powerful tracks. Amongst the featured tracks include a message from Archbishop Demond Tutu, the choirs popular hits such as Sedilaka, covers of Sarah McLachlans Angel, and The Jackson 5s Ill Be There, and the Fish Out of Water remix of their collaboration track with …
Acoustic Café combines the best elements of Putumayo’s successful Acoustic and Café series, which together have sold more than 2 million copies. On Acoustic Café, Putumayo features rising young stars and new discoveries, and in keeping with their global approach, the artists hail from around the globe. These innovative artists offer a variety of vocal highlights, from the …
Malian superstar Habib Koite’s album Soo (which translates as ‘home’) was recorded in his own home studio. A purely logistical decision at first, Koite’s choice of venue gradually became the foundation for the album’s theme. Home is where families and friends reunite, and where new ideas and directions are discovered. Soo reunites both friends and countrymen and explores …
The Mand‚ Variations is Malian legend Toumani Diabat‚’s first solo recording in 20 years and it is a stunningly beautiful, immediately accessible blend of traditional melodies, original compositions and breathtaking improvisations from the world-renowned virtuoso of the kora, the 21-stringed West African harp. According to London’s The Guardian, ‘Diabat‚ mixes fearsome technique with a deep humanism and …