CLYCHAU DIBON WINS ALBUM OF THE YEAR!
Congratulations Seckou, Catrin and the team and thanks to everyone who feels the force!
TOTO RECEIVES LATIN GRAMMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Congratulations to Toto for her Lifetime Achievement Award which she received at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas. She graciously said in her address that the Award was for all those who had helped her on the way - her family, all the musicians that have passed through her band, her son Marco Vinicio and her son-in-law John Hollis.
AMJ Reggaemani Review
Reggaemani
04 November 2013 · 22:01
An inspired and ambient debut from AMJ Collective
Former Restriction members Mark Spence, Andy Clarke and John Hollis have re-united after three decades as AMJ Collective. Last year they dropped the 12” Sound History Volume 1 and now it’s time for a debut full-length effort.
On Sign they have worked with a diverse set of musicians from various parts of the world in order to create an ambient, atmospheric and warm reggae album with African and Latin tocuhes. This album is something truly special and it, for example, features Cuban trumpeter Michel Padron and Colombian guitarist Camilo Menjura on an inspired version of Don Corleon’s Drop Leaf riddim.
It was recorded in Bristol, Paris, Havana and London and offers deep and relaxed grooves, but also glances at dubstep and dub. Traditional reggae is merged with lush strings and singer Kaia McTernan graces Sign of the Times with her ethereal voice.
Sign is deeply rooted in reggae, but it also pushes boundaries and takes reggae to new and exciting places. It’s a dreamy, contemporary and global groove.
Two Harps That Beat As One: Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita (VIDEO)
Two Harps That Beat As One: Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita (VIDEO)
by Michal Shapiro
Huffington Post 11/20/2013
To view a video of Bamba from the WOMEX showcase that is included with this article online go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michal-shapiro/two-harps-that-beat-as-on_b_4308317.html
Almost 25 years ago, I was walking down West 4th street in Manhattan, and heard a harp-like sound that seemed extraordinarily out of place in the urban noise surrounding me. I tried to locate the source, and eventually realized it was emanating from three tall, slender men in robes who were sauntering up the block ahead of me. I sped up my pace and as I got abreast of them, saw that one of them was playing what I learned later was a kora, as he strolled.
And something magical was happening; the instrument changed the environment surrounding the three, and all around it, people were calmed and drawn to it. These three stately men had everyone --including myself -- in thrall with the pure, rippling notes of the kora. The instrument itself was sort of a cross between a harp and a some kind of lute, and the most conspicuous part, the resonator, was half of a large gourd. I walked a block out of my way before tearing myself from the sound to go home.
Since then, there have been quite a few musical collaborations involving the kora in combination with other western instruments. (The wonderful "Chamber Music" with Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal is one of the most successful.) But as far as I know, the collaboration between Seckou Keita and Catrin Finch is the first one to pair the kora with another harp. And upon hearing this duet, one actually wonders what took so long.
The two musicians in this duo are well matched, Keita has a history of innovating and experimenting with his instrument -- he plays a western-machined double necked kora -- but has been careful to always maintain some distinctive root of his beloved West African music. Catrin Finch (known in her home country of Wales as the Queen of Harps) is also known for her forays into experimental music, as well as her mastery of the standard classical and folk repertoire. For their performance at WOMEX 2013, Keita brought both a single and a double necked kora, while Finch played a striking Camac "Big Blue 47" concert harp with pickups on each of the 47 strings.
There was quite a buzz building up to their performance at WOMEX, which this year was in Cardiff, Wales. It was unfortunate that it took place in a rather small concert room instead of the big auditorium, as it filled up to capacity far too quickly and many delegates could not get in to see the show.The room was jammed with a mostly Welsh audience, and anticipation crackled in the air. I was pretty much crushed up against the apron of the stage, almost in the middle... not the best angle for shooting!
When Finch and Keita play together, there is a complete immersion one with the other. Keita plays the rhythmic patterns and Finch's precise fingers play a counterpoint or a harmony figure and it all just feels right. Keita grins when Finch plays a stately figure enhancing his motif, and Finch nods back, giving Keita the room to cascade away on the kora. And that's quite a blazing solo he takes at the end, I might add. Through it all, there is a close communication that is palpable. Purists from one tradition or another may take issue with this blend -- and I did hear one opinion voiced that it sounded too Welsh and not sufficiently Senegalese, but I think it is just that the two players have made allowances for each others music, and this give and take creates a true hybrid. At any rate, I was in string heaven, awash in pleasure from lovely music, exquisitely played.
Awards Galore for Catrin and Seckou?
Clychau Dibon is in the Top Ten albums of the year over at Songlines Magazine http://www.songlines.co.uk/world-music-news/2013/10/songlines-best-albums-2013-announced/, nominated for album of the year at fRoots http://www.frootsmag.com/content/critpoll/ and has also been nominated in two categories at the BBC Folk Awards (best traditional track and best duo) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03ldc63/profiles/winners-nominees
Queen of harps Catrin Finch finds her kora king with Sengalese musician Seckou
Queen of harps Catrin Finch finds her kora king with Sengalese musician Seckou
Wales Online 15 Nov 2013
Like strawberries and cream and fish and chips, some things just work very well together. Harpist Catrin Finch tells Rachel Mainwaring why her pairing with Sengalese musician Seckou Keita, with whom she’s touring, has produced a magical album that’s getting rave reviews
If you are searching for something to help you relax, forget scented candles and a hot bath. Just pop Catrin Finch’s new album, Clychau Dibon – a haunting collaboration with kora musician Seckou Keita – onto the CD player and you’ll be suitably chilled out in no time.
The album, produced by Mwldan, is a marriage of two ancient instruments that has already been selected for the prestigious Songlines Magazine Best Albums of 2013, and pairs two virtuouso players of harp traditions mixing their music so that it’s almost impossible to distinguish one from the other.
And former royal harpist Catrin, who performed alongside Seckou at the recent world music market Womex in Cardiff, says she’s hugely excited by the album’s success so far.
The 33-year-old, originally from Llanon but who now lives in Gwaelod-y-Garth on the outskirts of Cardiff, admits: “It’s been really full on for the last few weeks.
“We started performing just before Womex in October and have more dates around Wales to do but it’s wonderful to be performing alongside Seckou. It’s a really magical album.
“I’m primarily a classical musician but this has been a very special project for me.
“It’s about two instruments that are effectively the same thing. The kora is an ancient African harp and the sound of the two of them together produces something quite magical.
“It’s kind of a chill-out album. It’s a very relaxing sound, and one that I think is really easy to listen to.
“I’m so pleased with the reaction so far. We’ve been named Best Album by magazines and it’s wonderful to get that sort of recognition for a project that hasn’t really been done before.
“The kora music sounded a bit indecipherable when I first heard it and, I’ve got to be honest, a little bit samey to me at first but put the two together and I just love it. With the kora, it’s all about the rhythm.
“Seckou doesn’t even read music and it’s weird to think we can perform together when he doesn’t even know where G is on the stave.
“But it’s worked and I’ve loved being involved in this kind of project. It’s been all about the ear, about rhythms and beats and that’s been a whole new ball game to me.”
The album is a move away from Catrin’s classical background, which began when she first took up the harp at the tender age of six.
But there is now talk of going to festivals during the summer, a new experience for Catrin, but one that she is hugely looking forward to.
While her work takes her away from home, her husband Hywel and their two young daughters Ana and Pegi, she admits she’s tempted to hire a campervan for a bit of festival life.
“That’s not something I’ve ever done before and I’m willing to give it a go,” she laughs. “The girls would certainly enjoy themselves.
“I’ve been very busy since we started developing the album back in May but once the tour has finished and I’ve done some Christmas concert work I will get a bit of time at home as January and February tend to be quieter.
“I’m a normal working parent so, of course, it’s a juggling act but I’m lucky that I have a lot of support and the girls understand that mummy’s job is to play concerts.
“I obviously feel guilty if I’m away from home but if it’s anywhere that’s two hours or less from home, I always go back after a concert.
“Travelling can take its toll after a while because the girls start to get unsettled if I’m away too long but I’m looking forward to having a bit of a rest and having some quiet time to compose, something I haven’t done for a while.
“I need to discipline myself to do some writing. I don’t just sit there and wait for an idea to come or I’d be waiting forever some days.”
Catrin, who was taught by harpist Elinor Bennett, who is now her mother-in-law, obviously has music in her blood but she’s not convinced her daughters will follow suit.
“At the moment, it seems that Ana is more interested in sport than music. She’d far rather put her football kit on and train with Gwaelod Rangers than practise her piano but I’m sure they must have inherited some musical genes.
“We’ve got a small harp here but they see it as something which takes mummy away from them so haven’t shown much interest yet.
“It’s seen as work, rather than a hobby, but who knows, as they get older they might take more of an interest as they certainly have music in their genes.”
Catrin’s work takes her to rather glamorous places and this year she was nominated for a Classical Brit award for Best Album for Blessed, which she worked on with John Rutter.
She didn’t win , losing out to André Rieu’s Magic of the Movies, but she says she had a great evening.
“I didn’t expect to win, especially up against Rieu, but it was a fun night. It was just such an honour to be nominated but I take these awards with a pinch of salt really.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music/queen-harps-catrin-finch-finds-6308054
Catrin & Seckou Financial Times Review
By David Honigmann
A royal harpist from Wales teams up with a kora player (which is to say, another court harpist) from Senegal.
Finch and Keita swap tunes from both traditions, one taking the lead while the other fills and improvises around the edges, then seamlessly trading places.
‘Robert Ap Huw Meets Nialing Sonko’ is the centrepiece: 16th century harp tunes playing off against the blissful melodies of the Casamance.
AMJ New Website
AMJ Collective have a new website with all the different projects and members shown for the first time. Go to http://www.amjcollective.com/
Catrin & Seckou London Evening Standard Review
CATRIN FINCH & SECKOU KEITA
Clychau Dibon
(Astar Artes)
★★★★★
Welsh harp and Senegalese kora – a sublime duo of two artists who are masters of their instruments. Yet it might not have worked, because both instruments are plucked and often it’s better to have more contrasted textures. But just listening to the way the opening track builds up, you can feel a sense of musicality and architecture at work with both artists drawing on the traditional repertoire of their respective cultures. Both of them are no strangers to collaboration, but this is their most seductive. The overall effect is of a rich web of sound, but they bring moments of drama when necessary. I also suspect that it’s something that will get more intriguing and appealing the better you get to know it.
Simon Broughton
CIMARRON EUROPEAN TOUR 2014
We are pleased to announce a European tour for summer 2014 in collaboration with our partners, the excellent tour agent Run Productions. Any venues wishing to book, please contact us.
Toto La Momposina France and Spain dates added
TOTO LA MOMPOSINA y Sus Tambores have added some extra dates in Europe this autumn.
11.10.2013 Festival Ville et Musiques Du Monde (FR)
12.10.2013 La Source (FR)
18.10.2013 Sala Penelope (ES)
25.10.2013 Festival Fiesta des Suds (FR)
Toto La Momposina to be honoured with The Latin Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award
![toto_new_smile[2]](http://static1.squarespace.com/static/59efaf9932601e1c3320f8e2/59efbce914fd831d8f9244c9/59efbceb14fd831d8f92463d/1508883691111/toto_new_smile2.jpg?format=original)
Congratulations to Totó who is to be honored with The Latin Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award.
She will be acknowledged at a special invitation-only ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas as part of the weeklong 14th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® celebration.
"It is with great pride that we announce this year's honorees, who not only epitomize the essence of true masters of their craft and genre, but represent the global musical spectrum that encompasses the Latin community at large," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "We continue to be humbled by their contributions to the musical legacy of the Latin world, and celebrate and honor their accomplishments and the talent that they have graciously shared with us over the decades, which will continue to endure for generations to come."
Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita album now on pre-order
The debut album from Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita is now availble for preorder exclusively from this site.
To order a copy and stream the featured track click here.
You can sign up to the newsletter and download a free track by clicking here.
To listen to previews of the tracks, please use the player below. Enjoy!
AMJ go live!
The AMJ Collective play their first live shows starting this week at Shambala ….
SIGN FROM AMJ released
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.
Space mixes
Jonathan Lane worked with the BBC for ten years, plying his craft as an engineer with Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 and network TV. Afterwards he set up his own recording business in Bristol specialising in acoustic and classical music working with many artists from Andy Sheppard to the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita selected for WOMEX 2013, Cardiff
Astar and Theatr Mwldan are delighted that Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita has been one of three Welsh music acts selected for a prestigious Horizons Stage appearance at Womex 2013 in the Welsh capital Cardiff.
This stunning shared musical journey between two world class virtuosos – Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and West African kora player Seckou Keita, blends the Manding music of West Africa with Welsh melodies to make ‘gorgeous, eloquent, elegant music’ (Thomas Brooman CBE).
The announcement comes just as preparations are underway for the launch of a major autumn UK tour for Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita, which starts at Hall for Cornwall in Truro on 20th October before going on to another 17 venues around the UK. This Autumn also sees the launch of their new album 'Clychau Dibon' on 14th October.
The Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita project reflects the vital role of the harp in the incredibly rich cultures of both West Africa and Wales. Remarkably, both nations share centuries-old bardic traditions of intricate oral history, expressed through music, song and verse. Together, Finch and Keita have risen to the tough challenge of blending two completely different musical cultures and creating something sublime, relevant and entirely new.
WOMEX received more than 850 proposals from all around the world. 38 were shortlisted for the Horizons stage for the nine slots by a panel of the UK and Ireland partners and independent music professionals. They represent the very best and most exciting world music talent emerging from each nation right now.
Tickets for the WOMEX Showcase Festival nights are £17 in advance and £22 on the day. If you wish to attend all three of the WOMEX Showcase Festival evenings, you can purchase a three day ticket for £45 from the Wales Millennium Centre Ticket Office by calling 029 2063 6464. A limited number of concession tickets are available in advance for Students and Over 60s. Please call the Ticket Office for more information.
Press and publication Quotes:
‘Old Welsh harp songs, Manding kora staples, Latin dashes, Celtic arias and more woven together to create something new that also possessed enough depth to sound sage, even timeless.’ Andy Morgan
'Gorgeous, eloquent, elegant music' Thomas Brooman CBE
'If you closed your eyes you might just have glimpsed the late medieval Welsh harpist Robert ap Huw landing on a West African shore, trading his slate-grey skies for the shimmering light of Africa and the busy dark flow of the Taff for the lazy effortless meander of the Gambia river.' Andy Morgan
‘the marriage of harp and kora seems blessed to be long, warm and fruitful.’ Andy Morgan
Seckou Keita Belgian Dates in August
Seckou Keita has announced some Belgian dates in August as part of the Zomer Van Antwerpen festival. http://www.zomervanantwerpen.be/2013/.
The dates are:
21/08/13 Hof De Bist, Ekeren
22/08/13 De Coninckplein, Antwerpen
23/08/13 Dageraadplaats, Zurenborg
24/08/13 Botermarkt, Zandvliet
25/08/13 Park Roosendael, Merksem