AMJ on the latest sampler from United Reggae

A  free track from the Sound History CD is available for a limited time on the latest sampler from United Reggae.

United Reggae offers the sixth free digital music sampler together with this issue. It contains 30 tracks from several of the artists that are covered in this sixteenth issue such as The Skatalites, Clinton Fearon, U-Brown, Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, AMJ, Busy Signal and more.

You can choose to stream or download it.

Click here to go to the site.

Seckou will perform at the Olympic Torch Relay Concert, Manchester 23rd June

In association with Band on the Wall, we’re delighted to present a free concert by Seckou Keita and his new band on the Printworks Indoor Stage for the We Face Forward Olympic Torch Relay Party taking place after the Olympic torch passes through Manchester.

Seckou Keita June 23rd Doors open: 7pm  Free event.

Festival of West African Art, Manchester, The Printworks,
 
www.wefaceforward.org
www.bandonthewall.org

Seckou's debuts new band at Olympic BT RIVER OF MUSIC July 21st

Seckou will be performing with his new band and special guests representing 8 West African nations as part of the BT River of Music event - A spectacular global summit of rhythm and song, the two-day free event will act as a curtain-raiser for the sporting celebrations to follow and will feature artists representing all Olympic and Paralympic nations, from the largest nations to the tiniest ocean island speck. Arguably the most ambitious musical event ever staged in the capital, BT River of Music will present the city's residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to sample a kaleidoscope of the world's most vibrant contemporary music. Established, award-winning and emerging artists from every part of the globe will be performing on stages at six iconic sites along the length of the River Thames each hosting music from a different continent. Seckou will be performing on the Africa stage at The London Pleasure Gardens. www.btriverofmusic.com

SECKOU VIDEO RELEASE TIMED FOR SENEGALESE ELECTIONS

Seckou released a video for Senegalese TV which was played on all the 5 main channels over the election weekend and continues to pick up plenty of interest.The lyric of Rewmi appeals for peace and unity to tackle together the problems facing us all and demands we take responsibility as individuals, families, communities, governments and corporations. We may think we are clean but we should think again and wash our hands.

Toto Plays For Change

Toto La Momposina has taken part in a video for the excellent Playing For Change, featuring over 75 musicians across Colombia.. Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. You can find out more at http://playingforchange.com/

AMJ Dub Collective Sound History Volume One April 23rd

AMJ's first 12" vinyl, a limited edition, will be released on April 23rd in collaboration with Sugar Shack Records/Bristol Archive Records. A Tribute to Bristol Sound Systems back in the day, it features The General on MC duties and Rob Smith with a brace of dub mixes.

The trio's aim was to recreate the classic reggae sound that they grew up with, yet they aren't afraid to bring things up to date where appropriate as well as bringing in some guest musicians for an added Latin twist that harks back to Jamaican music's origins and close links with Cuba and the wider Caribbean.

The idea for these tracks came from Mark Spence who felt it was long overdue to document in song the City's rich heritage of sound systems, their selectors, MCs and the posses who supported them, a tribute to the reggae scene that nurtured and inspired the members of AMJ Dub Collective as well as countless others over the decades.

The choice of Eric 'The General' on microphone duties was obvious as not only had he taken that role in Restriction, but was also an MC on legendary Bristol sound system Enterprise. His delivery has lost nothing in the last thirty years and it's great to be able to hear him again.

Rob Smith needs no introduction and although his career has covered the “Bristol Sound”, drum and bass and dub step, he has never drifted far from his reggae roots, having been a founder member of both Zion Band and Restriction, it's only natural that his mixing talents were called upon and he certainly delivers.

This is reggae for the twenty first century, yet reggae built on years of practice and skill, music played on real instruments by real musicians and not something programmed on a PC using the same tired digital effects, “Sound History” will be released as a limited edition 4 track 12” EP complete with picture sleeve, if only all new reggae was made with such care and attention.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com

TOUMANI DIABATE & CATRIN FINCH

We are happy to announce an Astar Artes-Theatre Mwldan-Chapter co-production ….. A breathtaking collaboration between two of the World's greatest musicians - Toumani Diabaté on kora and Catrin Finch on harp.

This is our third project with Theatr Mwldan, the intrepid musical adventurers based in Cardigan, Wales. Billy Cobham & Asere, Catrin Finch & Cimarron were great artistic and box office hits and we expect these upcoming shows to be an awesome experience not to be missed!

Toumani Diabaté is one of Africa’s most important musicians and widely considered the world’s finest living kora player. A performer of exceptional virtuosity and creativity, his pedigree goes back through 71 generations of kora players, from father to son. He has collaborated with Damon Albarn, Taj Mahal, Bjork and the late, great Ali Farka Touré with whom he won a Best Traditional World Music Album GRAMMY Award in 2006.

Catrin Finch, the “Queen of Harps” is one of Wales’ leading international musical ambassadors, she was Royal Harpist to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales from 2000-2004. Her concert appearances with the world’s top orchestras span the globe and she has worked with artists including Bryn Terfel, Sir James Galway and Julian Lloyd-Webber. Catrin’s highly successful recent collaboration with Colombian harp-based band Cimarron toured Wales three times.

Catrin and Toumani, harp and kora, Wales and Mali - a remarkable, unique experience.

ASTAR RELEASES 2012

A warm thanks to all those who came to the shows and bought music from our artists this year.
Stay tuned - we have a series of singles, EPs and albums for release across 2012 in a variety of formats,
CDs, downloads and vinyl from …….

SECKOU KEITA, ADAN PEDROSO & JUSTIN ADAMS, ASERE, and the AMJ COLLECTIVE

Introducing AKA Trio

 

★★★★ the Scotsman
AKA trio Antonio Forcione, Seckou Keita , Adriano Adewale
Performing at the Assembly main Hall - 14-19 Aug Edinburgh Fest 2011.mov
Saturday September 10th, 2011 11:05

ThreeWeeks - ED2011 Music Review: Antonio Forcione
There are no words to describe the greatness of this show. In the most epic trio of musical perfection I have ever come across, acoustic guitarist Antonio Forcione is joined by Seckou Keita on the kora and percussionist Adriano Adewale. Not only are the performers' musical abilities mind-blowing, but the passion and genuine joy of playing for others brilliantly shines on their faces and temporarily blinds you, so that, in the extremely rare occurrence that they make a mistake, you'll be none the wiser. Every single audience member was mesmerised by this performance; it is easily one of the best shows I have ever seen, in and out of the Fringe. It would be tragic to miss this.
Quotes
Antonio Forcione: "A major international guitar virtuoso ...Remarkable personal magnetism" JAZZFM - www.antonioforcione.com

Seckou Keita: "The Hendrix of the Kora" MUSIC NEWS - www.seckoukeita.com

Adriano Adewale: "A whole percussion orchestra by himself" British Theatre Guide - www.adrianoadewale.co.uk

★★★★ AKA Trio review from the Scotsman
Assembling a collective of international musical ideas, these three musical masters have beautifully captured a concoction of world music. Each equally skilled with a supreme knowledge of music, Forcione, Keita and Adewale allow their intricate fast running melodies to weave together and drive the music forward in a beautiful chase. Audiences are guaranteed a powerful and dynamic show of wit, personality and musical virtuosity.
By Jim Gilchrist
Published: 18/8/2011

AKA Trio. Seckou Keita, Antonio Forcione, Adriano Adewale in London 3 dates only

Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho

Sunday 11th December  1.30pm AND 8.00pm, Monday 12th 8.30pm

http://pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/jazzList.aspx

Due to the sold out popularity of the last London shows, here's another chance to catch them before the year is out. Tickets are selling fast!
AKA TRIO
Antonio Forcione - Adriano Adewale - Seckou Keita
When three world-renowned virtuosos unite, everyone has something to say.

"A one-off musical sensation.  Unmissable"
The Scotsman
"Passion Grace and Fire"
The Times
"Breathtaking finger-work & musicianship”
New Statesman (Seckou Keita)

Asere project at Musicport 2011

Asere were pleased to be invited by Musicport and Music4U to work with students from Headlands school in Bridlington for three days and perform with them at the festival. Catch a glimpse with the film footage and photos here

SECKOU KEITA TO PERFORM AT TED GENEVA

Seckou Keita @ TEDxRC2
27th November 2011

Seckou will be one of the contributors at the Geneva conference discussing what can be done to multiply the power of humanity.
 
On Sunday 27 November, around 500 guests, including international and Swiss diplomats, local officials, the heads of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, corporate and financial leaders, academics, journalists, health professionals, volunteers, museum curators, scientists, economists and other 'doers and thinkers' will be invited to take part in a very special TEDx experience at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. The European Director of TED, Bruno Giussani, will be the host and master of ceremonies. The event is being jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Each of the speakers will share their unique thoughts and insights into what can be done to multiply the power of humanity. Afterwards, the Geneva guests will be invited to continue the conversation during a cocktail in the reception hall of the BFM – one of Geneva's most beautiful and historic buildings.

The main event will be webcast live to groups of people across the globe and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, who want to share in this unique experience.

you can watch the speeches and music live at:
http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/2400

ASERE head home to Havana

Asere return to Cuba having successfully completed their 3 month European tour. Highlights were the new acoustic show, as those who caught this unique experience will know, and several educational projects with some special moments.

From left to right: Fito, Flecha, David, Pata, Vicente and Luz.

Photo: Julie Carpenter.

CALLE 13 Unveils Video Featuring Toto La Momposina For Acclaimed New Single "Latinoamérica"

"Latinoamérica"  the Latin Grammy nominated new single features guest vocals from Toto La Momposina and finds Calle 13 Capturing The Faces And Inner Soul of a Hemisphere. The video has been posted online and has already had over 2.5 million hits in 12 days.

Calle 13 calls for solidarity across the Americas in “Latinoamérica,” which features three tradition-stretching guest singers — Susana Baca from Peru, Totó la Momposina from Colombia and Maria Rita from Brazil — over a hybrid Andean rhythm, with Mr. Pérez rapping, “I am Latin America, a land with no legs that still walks.” – NEW YORK TIMES

"Latinoamérica is the most important song we have done, documenting what we were, what we are and what it means to be Latin American. I think that strengthens our identity and helps us to remember and never forget.” - Rene “Residente” Perez

 

Adan Pedroso Wins Grand Prize In John Lennon Songwriting Competition

 

We are very proud to announce that Adan Pedroso has been awarded the Grand Prize in the Latin category of the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for the song Romantica which is featured on the Asere album Destinos. Our congratulations to to both him and the band. Astar will be releasing a special maxi single with all previously recorded versions of the song in the very near future. Watch this space.

This is the second time in two years that an Asere song has won the award, following their success last year for the song Psicologia from their album Junio Groove.

This is a version recorded live in France in 2008.

Seckou BBC Bristol interview 2nd Oct

Seckou appeared on BBC Bristol to talk about himself and the upcoming Shumacher concerts (and Michael Jackson!).

Click below to hear the interview.

[audio:http://www.seckoukeita.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bbc-bristol-interview.mp3|titles=bbc bristol interview]