Tag: video

Kodo, “O-Daiko”

Kodo, “O-Daiko”

Kodō is a professional taiko drumming troupe. Based on Sado Island, Japan, they have had a role in popularizing taiko drumming, both in Japan and abroad. They regularly tour Japan, Europe, and the United States.

Although the main focus of the performance is taiko drumming, other traditional Japanese musical instruments such as fue and shamisen make an appearance on stage as do traditional dance and vocal performance. Kodo’s performance include pieces based on the traditional rhythms of regional Japan, pieces composed for Kodo by contemporary songwriters, and pieces written by Kodo members themselves. The numbers that Kodo perform can change from concert to concert. Kodo’s performance normally lasts for about one hour and forty minutes.

In Japanese the word “Kodo” conveys two meanings: “heartbeat” the primal source of all rhythm and, read in a different way, the word can mean “children of the drum,” a reflection of Kodo’s desire to play their drums simply, with the heart of a child.

One of the most memorable drums of many taiko ensembles is the ōdaiko (大太鼓). For many, the ōdaiko solo is the embodiment of power due to the size of the drum, the volume, and the endurance it takes to perform. The ōdaiko is the largest drum of all taiko, if not the entire world. The largest ōdaiko are too big to move and permanently reside inside a temple or shrine.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

La Rochelle Band, “Jay Jay”

La Rochelle Band, “Jay Jay”, 2015, from the Album Wonderland

La Rochelle Band is an electro-soul band from Austria. It was formed in 2011 by Austrian music producer Peter Cruseder aka Peter Kreuzer. Kreuzer studied classic and jazz piano as well as song composition at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz. The multi-talent was awarded the Austrian newcomer award in 2010. In 2013 he had the honour of producing the music for the voestalpine Klangwolke alongside Parov Stelar.

La Rochelle Band released their debut album “Shake Late” in 2012 on Kreuzer’s own label Peter Cruseder Records. The band signed to Etage Noir Recordings in the same year, and have since released the “Work That Body” EP, the single “Burning in My Soul” and the “Good Time Tonight” EP on the label. Peter Cruseder composes and produces all of the songs himself. On stage Kreuzer is responsible for electronics and keyboards and is joined by drummer Florian Kasper and singer Ricarda Maria.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Chinese Man, “Escape”

Chinese Man, “Escape”

Chinese Man is a collective French trip hop band created in 2004 and originally from Aix-en-Provence. The are influenced by hip hop, funk, dub, reggae and jazz.

Chinese Man is composed of DJ Marseille Zé Mateo and High Ku and beatmaker SLY. Beatmakers Leo le Bug and Le Yan also revolve around the group and participate in the composition of several pieces. Frequent live additions to the crew include Taiwan MC and MC Youthstar. The group became known through the song “I’ve Got That Tune” which was chosen by Mercedes Benz for its promotional campaign and by the French Film Festival in Hong Kong as its theme.

Chinese Man Records label is based in Marseille, France.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Parov Stelar, “Booty Swing”

Parov Stelar, “Booty Swing” with Fred Astaire/ Ginger Rogers Film Clips

Marcus Fureder, better known by his stage name Parov Stelar, is an Austrian musician, composer, producer and DJ. His musical style is based on a combination of jazz, house, electro and breakbeat.

Parov Stelar was among the first who produced electronic swing music in Europe. With his album “Shine” the BBC named Parov Stelar as on of the most promising producers active in Europe. His specific approach to music production, combined with a proven sense of sound aesthetics, led to a reaction from audiences and colleagues all around the world, giving him a reputation as the founder of a new genre: Electro Swing.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

The Afghan Whigs, “Algiers”

The Afghan Whigs, “Algiers”

The Afghan Whigs are an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally active from 1986 to 2001, they have since reformed. The group – with core members Greg Dulli (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick McCollum (lead guitar), and John Curley (bass) – rose up around the grunge movement, evolving from a garage band  in the vein of the Replacements to incorporate more R & B and soul influences into their sound and image. After releasing their first album independently in 1988, the band signed to the Seattle-based label Sub Pop. They released their major-label debut and fourth album, “Gentlemen”, in 1993.

A great song that is now stuck in my mind.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Cesaria Evora, “Besame Mucho”

Cesaria Evora, “Besame Mucho”

A native of the island nation of Cape Verde, Cesaria Evora was known as the country’s foremost practitioner of the morna, which is strongly associated with the islands and combines West African percussion with Portuguese fados, Brazilian modhinas, and British sea shanties. She began singing morna at age 16 after meeting an attractive young guitarist. Her talent soon had her performing all over the islands, and in the late ‘60s two of her radio tapes were released as albums in the Netherlands and Portugal, respectively.

However, Cesaria Evora never left her country, and gave up singing in the mid-’70s owing to lack of profit. In 1985, at the age of 45, she decided to return to music and traveled to Portugal to record two songs for an anthology of female Cape Verdean singers. This led to subsequent recording sessions in Paris, which resulted in four albums from 1988 to 1992.

Her international fame grew, and Evora toured Europe, Africa, Brazil, and Canada, with stops in the United States to perform for Cape Verdean audiences. In the fall of 1995, she mounted her first large-scale American tour; subsequent recordings include 1997’s “Cabo Verde” and 1999′s “Mar Azul” and “Cafe Atlantico”.

One of my favorite singers. Seek out her music. She was a true star.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Rag’N’Bone Man, “Lay My Body Down”

Rag’N’Bone Man, “Lay My Body Down”

Rory Charles Graham, better known as Rag’n’Bone Man, is an English singer and songwriter. His first hit “Human” was released in 2016 and his debut album, also named “Human”, was released in February 2017. At the 2017 Brit Awards he was named British Breakthrough Act and also received the Critics’ Choice Award.

One of the great voices to come out of England in the last few years.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Algiers, “Remains”

Algiers, “Remains”, Live Deezer Session, Song from the Album “Algiers”

Algiers is an American experimental band from Atlanta, Georgia. It is composed of vocalist/guitarist Franklin James Fisher, bassist Ryan Mahan and guitarist Lee Tesche. Algiers pulls from a divergent number of musical (and nonmusical) influences; the most notable of which being post-punk, gospel, Southern Gothic literature and the concept of the Other.  Their sound has been described as “dystopian soul” due to its somber mood, afrofolk inspired vocal approach, and heavy emphasis on atonal textures.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Woodkid, “Boat Song”

Woodkid, “Boat Song”

The Golden Age is the debut studio album from French singer-songwriter and director Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine). It was released on March 18, 2013 through independent label, Green United Music. Lemoine released the official album cover through a video he created himself on December 14, 2012 and released the album’s corresponding tracklisting one week later on December 21, 2012 on his official Facebook page.
During an interview with NBHAP Lemoine told that childhood is the “The Golden Age” for him.

“We threw our hearts into the sea
Forgot all of our memories.”

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Ane Brun, “Last Breath”

Ane Brun, “Last Breath”, Album “How Beauty Holds the Head of Sorrow”, 2020

If you do not know about Ane Brun, Check out her music. This Norwegian artist is in my list of top ten female vocalists and song writers. I have been a fan ever since hearing her sing “The Opening”, the theme song of “Wallander”, one of the better detective series.

“Wallander” is available in an British version with Kenneth Branagh, which is a good series. However, I favor the original Swedish series starring Henning Mankell, which is less ‘polished’ and, to me, more intense in emotion.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)