Springtime in Australia is glorious: blue skies, sunshine, flowers and butterflies, happy people – and a steady stream of music festivals to make those days even happier. None of those festivals are dedicated only to soul, r&b, hip-hop and jazz music though – except now for one: Soulfest. If you haven’t already concreted your plans to… Continue reading A Soul-Drenched Spring @ Soulfest 2014
Jah9 – Woman of ‘Good Music History’
There’s not enough female dub/reggae singers or songwriters in the spotlights of our musical history. I only just realised that while listening to the debut album of Jamaica’s Jah9 – and in each and every track appreciating the jazzy, soulful and refreshingly feminine vocals of She Who Is Jah9: Janine Cunningham. There’s so much more… Continue reading Jah9 – Woman of ‘Good Music History’
Carlos Sarduy – Charly en la Habana
Like with so many Cuban music artists, not enough people in the world have probably had the chance to access and hear Carlos Sarduy’s unique Afro-Cuban jazz music or super-fine trumpet playing. This artist is another little gem from the much-insulated music bubble of Cuba. Like with most Cuban music artists, there’s little to be… Continue reading Carlos Sarduy – Charly en la Habana
Look Around The Corner – Quantic & Alice Russell With The Combo Bárbaro
I bought Look Around The Corner without ever having heard one note from the album. Quantic + Alice Russell + The Combo Bárbaro made it. What more did I need to know? Quantic (aka Will Holland) – whose many differently-flavoured, all fantastic musical concoctions you already know, and if you don’t can check out here. Alice… Continue reading Look Around The Corner – Quantic & Alice Russell With The Combo Bárbaro
The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra – Credit Where Credit’s Due
At their live show at AWME last year I didn’t give The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra as much credit as they were due. At the time I was yearning for ‘purer’ sounds of Afro-beat, and I guess for the sounds of Fela Kuti himself. That desire of mine wasn’t so fair on The Public Opinion… Continue reading The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra – Credit Where Credit’s Due
Mama Julia y Los Sonidos Ambulantes
If you follow Rule No. 1 of moving house – ‘Thou shall take and set up thou sound system in the new house first‘ – the best (and just about the only good) part of the process is having lots and lots of time to drown yourself in music. In this house-move my beloved, but much-neglected-of-late… Continue reading Mama Julia y Los Sonidos Ambulantes
Dereb The Ambassador – Justice To Ethiopian & Australian Music
At their show at the Basement in Sydney on Friday night, Dereb the Ambassador did something I’ve never before heard a band in Australia do. They acknowledged the traditional indigenous owners of the land upon whose land they played – and paid their respect to elders past and present of the Gadigal people. It was… Continue reading Dereb The Ambassador – Justice To Ethiopian & Australian Music
Magnetica – Quantic At His Most Diverse Yet
Each album I hear from U.K producer and musician Will Holland, the latest being Magnetica (released as Quantic), I wonder at how one artist can be responsible for producing so many musically-diverse bodies of work of such goodness. Magnetica probably contains the most diversity of all Will Holland’s previous albums so far. Thirteen tracks, each… Continue reading Magnetica – Quantic At His Most Diverse Yet
NGAIIRE Live – Glastonbury Via The Basement
The first time I was blessed to have the live NGAIIRE experience was at AWME 2013 – a showcase of upcoming Australasian artists. Now, just 7 months later, Ngaiire is off to the UK to share her music with crowds at 2014’s sold-out Glastonbury Festival. She deserves all the success she’s had during this past year… Continue reading NGAIIRE Live – Glastonbury Via The Basement
Lauryn Hill Live at Sydney Opera House
Who knew what to expect from a live Lauryn Hill show after hearing so little from her for such a long time? With a catalogue of much-loved songs from so many years ago, prompting some people to dub her as ‘the first lady of hip-hop’, the idea of Lauryn Hill performing live in the grand, old halls… Continue reading Lauryn Hill Live at Sydney Opera House