Catrin and Seckou Autumn Tour Announced
We are please to announce (and very excited too) that Catrin and Seckou will be touring again in the Autumn.
20/10/13 TRURO Hall For Cornwall
30/10/13 BURY ST EDMUNDS The Apex
01/11/13 SALISBURY Salisbury Arts Centre
02/11/13 BROMSGROVE Artrix
06/11/13 Brecon Theatr Brycheiniog
07/11/13 FELINFACH Theatr Felinfach
08/11/13 LLANELLI Y Ffwrnes
09/11/13 MILFORD HAVEN Torch
10/11/13 HARLECH Theatr Harlech
13/11/13 PONTARDAWE Arts Centre
14/11/13 NEWTOWN Theatr Hafren
15/11/13 BANGOR Neuadd Prichard Jones
16/11/13 PWLLHELI Neuadd Dwyfor
17/11/13 HOLYHEAD Ucheldre
20/11/13 NOTTINGHAM Lakeside AC, Djanogly Theatre
21/11/13 KENDAL Brewery Arts
22/11/13 HULL Hull Truck Theatre
The full details can be found in the "Live" section of the website.
AMJ release Sign Of The Space
Following on from the success of their Depth Drop and Sign Of The Dub 7" release and as a taster to the full blown album due in the Summer, AMJ have now released Sign Of The Space. A fabulous ambient 4 track EP remixed by Jonathan Lane.
Jonathan Lane joined the BBC in 1979, plying his craft as an engineer for ten years with Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 and network TV, working with many major artists and producers as well as presenters from John Peel and Paul Gambaccini to Kenny Everett and Terry Wogan.
In 1989 he left the BBC and set up his freelance studio and location recording business in Bristol. Working on countless classical and jazz sessions with figures including Andy Sheppard, Pewee Ellis, Sir David Willcocks, John Lill, Mark Padmore and ensembles such as the Solomon Trio, the Sun Life Band and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, he has developed a very fine understanding of acoustic instruments. In 1998 he began engineering sessions for producer John Hollis who brought a steady stream of international artists into the studio from Totó la Momposina and Cimarron to Billy Cobham and Asere, then finally the AMJ Collective.
AMJ is Andy Clark, Mark Spence and John Hollis. Brought together by reggae and motivated by a shared dub sensibility, they have been working with a collective of musicians from harpist Catrin Finch to kora player Seckou Keita (both of whom feature on these sessions) building a unique sound which they take into very different sonic and musical spheres.
Jonathan was given the challenge of ‘space mixes’, the concept being akin to dub but using subtle acoustic arrangement rather than relying solely on effects. He responded by drawing on a lifetime of musical experience, from which he weaves a rich and innovative sound world. Enjoy the journey.
Toto La Momposina Announces European Dates
Toto La Momposina has announced the following dates as her European tour this summner.
25 May Barcelona sala Barts http://www.barts.cat/es/e-94/TOTO-LA-MOMPOSINA
28 May Rabat-Marruecos Festival Mawazine http://www.festivalmawazine.ma/fr/artistes-2013/toto-la-momposina.html
1 June Cologne Festival Summerstage http://www.summerstage.de/
2 June Amsterdam NSJclub http://www.northseajazzclub.com/event/toto-la-momposina/
5 June Bern Mühle Hunziken http://www.muehlehunziken.ch/programm/programmdetail/eventid/258/?no_cache=1#.UYkZp7X8HoY
8 June Goteborg Festival Clandestino http://clandestinofestival.org/2013/en/toto-la-momposina-2/
14 June Milan Festival Latinoamericando http://www.latinoamericando.it/
16 June Toulouse Festival Rio Loco http://www.rio-loco.org/dimanche_16_juin_musique.html
Catrin & Seckou: New Videos
We are proud to announce the release of two new live performance videos from Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita:
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita: New Show and Album.
This is something special!
Seckou and Catrin on stage in Wales recently in a week of pre-production for their first album.
Touring follows in the autumn.
An Astar Artes-Theatr Mwldan Co-production with support from Arts Council Wales.
Looking forward!
Photo by Josh Pulman
Seckou's track Hino nominated for an IMA
Astar are very proud to congratulate Seckou Keita on being nominated in the World Traditional Song Category for "Hino" in The 12th Annual Independent Music Awards..
The Judge-determined IMA Winners will be announced in May.
In addition to industry-determined Winners, fans from around the world have until Friday, July 19, 2013 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners. So please visit http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/12th/Song/World-Traditional and register your vote!
Seckou and Catrin: New Work
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita are preparing an album and performing two shows this week in Wales at The Royal Welsh College on Weds 20th and Theatre Mwldan, Cardigan, on Thurs 21st.
.Cimarron announce US tour
Cimarron embark on a US tour in March.
14 March 2013 LATINO ARTS AUDITORIUM MILWAUKEE, WI http://www.latinoartsinc.org
16 March 2013 KAUFMAN AUDITORIUM MARQUETTE, MI http://kaufmanauditorium.org
17 March 2013 MILLIKEN AUDITORIUM TRAVERSE CITY, MI http://www.dennosmuseum.org
22 March 2013 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OMAK, WA http://omakpac.org
23 March 2013 METHOW ARTS TWISP, WA http://www.methowvalleyarts.org
27 March 2013 JOURNAL THEATRE ALBUQUERQUE, NM http://www.nationalhispaniccenter.org
30 March 2013 MUSIC CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA http://www.musiccenter.org
02 April 2013 EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC ROCHESTER, NY http://www.rochester.edu
04 April 2013 GORELL RECITAL HALL INDIANA, PA http://www.iup.edu
05 April 2013 ARTISHPHERE ARLINGTON, VA http://artisphere.com/
06 April 2013 JOHNNY D'S SOMERVILLE, MA http://www.johnnyds.com
Seckou Debuts at No 1
We are very pleased and proud to announce that Seckou's album Miro has gone straight to No1 in the world music charts. For more information go to http://www.wmce.de/index.html
Seckou appears on Jazz FM CD and BA
Seckou's track Hino will be appearing on the latest Jazz FM limited edition compilation available from Jan. The CD entitled "A world of Discovery" will also be carried on all BA planes in flight entertainment systems,on both short and long haul.
This album, which is the third in the series, consists of a unique selection of largely undiscovered tracks from many of the less known corners of the musical globe
Have a listen as you fly...
Miro gets 4* Songlines review
Songlines Jan Issue 2012
Seckou Keita Miro Astar (48 mins)
Well-travelled griot keeps the home fires burning
Seckou Keita is representative of a new breed of African musician for whom the world really has become a global village. Born into a griot family in the Casamance region of Senegal, he now lives in Nottingham, and recorded this album in six countries across three continents, from Dakar to Havana and from Seville to Bogota. The opening track ‘Rewmi’ (Country) was a popular anthem calling for unity during the Senegalese elections earlier this year, with Keita’s rippling kora work and sturdy voice underpinned by female backing vocals, calabash and the throbbing pulse of Cuban bass player Michel ‘Pata’ Salazar. ‘Hino’ finds the Spanish singer Inma ‘La Carbonera’ delivering a characteristically passionate flamenco vocal in duet with the soulful, Arabic-tinged voice of Mohamed Diaby over Keita’s lovely solo kora. Salazar returns again on ‘Kouma’, a tour de force on which he’s joined by Colombian percussion, flute and balafon. Yet the album is far from being a global mishmash of styles. Rather it beats strongly with a sense of unity of purpose, rooted in both Mandinka and Wolof traditions, so that however far Keita’s musical travels take him, his proud griot heritage journeys with him.
TRACK TO TRY: Kouma
Nigel Williamson
Depth Drop Digital Release: 12 November
Depth Drop and Sign Of The Dub by AMJ, previously only available as a 7" single, is now being released digitally.
Use the player above to order your copy!
RSD re-mix tracks from the AMJ Collective …..
Dub Maestro Rob Smith is no stranger to innovative sonic adventures, a Bristol man who emerged from the reggae scene of the 80s as a guitarist and engineer, later developing his craft as a producer, DJ and re-mixer. Known for his work in Smith & Mighty and More Rockers, now piloting his own unique RSD sound, Rob tours constantly, performing in many countries across the globe.
The trio that is AMJ, Andy Clarke (drums), Mark Spence (bass) and John Hollis (producer) have been building their new project called The Almighty Groove, inviting a Collective of musicians from different places (Cuba, Colombia, Senegal etc) to record on their sessions - acoustic instruments and live performance being a main feature of the work.
AMJ meets RSD is a new collaboration and Depth Drop the first single …..
Invited to delve into the AMJ Treasure Trove, Rob draws on his pallet of sounds and effects to take the imagination large. Warm and bass heavy, enter a world of sonic delight …..
Seckou BBC World Service Interview
Seckou Keita was a guest on BBC World Service's The Strand arts programme. He also played Distance live in the studio.
You can listen to the whole programme by going to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0104j6m
or you can listen to the interview here.
[audio:http://www.astarmusic.co.uk/BBCWSseckou.mp3]BBC World Service with Seckou Keita
Seckou Musika Interview
Musika have just posted an excellent interview with Seckou Keita. Click here or go to http://www.musika.uk.com/2012/11/interview-seckou-keita/ to read more.
Miro gets a 4* review in The Guardian
Robin Denselow
The Guardian, Thursday 4 October 2012 22.30 BST
Following the debut set by those rousing London-based Ethiopians, Krar Collective, here's another reminder of the great African music currently to be found in the UK. Seckou Keita lives in Nottingham, but was born into a griot family in Casamance, in the south of Senegal, where he was taught kora and percussion by his grandfather and uncles. He's a fine instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, and his distinctive, gently driving style is influenced both by his West African roots and international travels. So on the opening track Rewmi (Country), his fluid, rippling kora work is matched by sturdy backing from the Cuban bass player Michel "Pata" Salazar, guitars and calabash, and insistent vocals from Keita, Mariama Kouyate and his sister Binta Suso, while the song itself is a call for unity that was popular in Senegal during the elections earlier this year. Elsewhere, he shows off his instrumental work on the drifting instrumental Distance, and is joined by flamenco singer Inma "La Carbonera" for the passionate flamenco-kora workout, Hino. A classy, often gently mesmeric set.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/oct/04/seckou-keita-miro-review
Seckou Keita: Miro album released
We are very proud to announce that Seckou Keita's brand new album "Miro" is now available on iTunes and all other digital retailers. The actual CD will be available in the shops and on Amazon from the 8th October (although anyone going to the live shows will be able to get their's a little bit early... and get it signed too!). Please use the player to listen to previews of all the tracks and press the links below it to buy the album from your favourite store..
Seckou Keita Announces 2012 UK Tour
Seckou takes to the road with his brand new 7 piece band in October and November. For more details check the live dates pages.
Toto track El Pescador for Womad 30th Anniversary release on Real World
We are honoured to announce that Toto's track El Pecador has been chosen for the WOMAD 30th anniversary celebration CD. This album is a celebration of the wonderful Real World artists who have performed at WOMAD over the years. The relationship between WOMAD and Real World Records was apparent from day one and almost all of Real World's roster have subsequently trod WOMAD's boards at some point. Quite a few, like Toto have done so many times. This 30-track tribute is an assembly of those Real World artists who've been most closely connected with the festival over the last three decades and we are proud to be a part of it!
SECKOU KEITA & THE BANTAMBA SYNDICATE One Off Spectacular!
Seckou delivers a one-off spectacular featuring artists from 8 West African nations.
In the Mandinka language Bantamba is a tree around and under which the community gathers,
a meeting place where people can communicate, listen to each other, settle conflicts and discuss important matters ….
SECKOU KEITA Senegal KORA, VOICE, DJEMBE
ADAMA BILOROU DEMBELE Burkina Faso BALAFON, CONGAS, DJEMBE
ALFRED BANNERMAN Ghana ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC GUITARS
BINTA SUSO Gambia VOICE
DRAMANE DEMBELE Burkina Faso FLUTE
FANTA YAYO Guinea Conakry VOICE
GUIMBA KOUYATE Mali NGONI
MANECAS COSTA Guinea Bissau VOICE & ACOUSTIC GUITAR
MARIAMA KOUYATE Senegal VOICE
MICHEL PADRON Cuba TRUMPET
MICHEL 'PATA' SALAZAR Cuba BASS
NII BOYE OWOO Ghana VOICE
SUNTOU SUSSO Gambia CALABASH, HI-HAT, DUN DUNS
TAPHA GAYE Senegal ELECTRIC GUITAR
TAPHA N'DIONGUE Senegal DRUM KIT
THOMAS OLA Ivory Coast SAXOPHONE & KEYBOARDS