Guitars and their little brother the ngoni feature on Pick and Mix
Wellington guitarist Julie Bevan has released her new album Kaleidoscope. It’s been ten years in the brewing with Julie going to and from Brazil to record the bulk of the tracks with producer Marcelo Nami. The release party is on April 6th.
Malian Ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba have a new album as well. Kouyate has built his reputation on melding electrified rock with West African folk styles to reach a broader base of listeners. But for Miri, his fifth album, Kouyate goes back to his acoustic folk roots. Miri – which means ‘dream’ or ‘contemplation’ – is a beautifully refined and reflective work with songs that focus on love, friendship and true values.
Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba Photo: Bassekou Kouyate
Algerian raï star Rachid Taha died in 2018 a week before his 60th birthday. He was a brilliant performer with a larger than life presence - sometimes nicknamed the Jimi Hendrix of North African rock. You’ll recognise his version of the Clash’s Rock the Casbah; the core of his sound was always raï, the Algerian wedding music and that’s what we hear on his last album Zoom.
French pianist Jacques Loussier, who died this month, was famous for one thing: performing classical themes – particularly pieces by Bach – in a bebop style, first playing the melody and then gradually improvising with his bassist and drummer. We remember his greatest recordings.
Music details
JULIE BEVAN: Stone Eaters - Julie Bevan (Bandcamp)
JULIE BEVAN: Danca dos Gnomos - Julie Bevan (Bandcamp)
KOUYATE: Kanougnon - Bassekou Kouyate (Out Here Records OH 032)
KOUYATE: Deli - Bassekou Kouyate (Out Here Records OH 032)
KOUYATE: Miri - Bassekou Kouyate (Out Here Records OH 032)
SCHROEDER, DI CAPUA, GOLD: Now Or Never - Rachid Taha (Naïve NV827511)
RACHID TAHA: Galbi - Rachid Taha (Naïve NV827511)
CANTUARIA: Calle 7 - Vinicius Cantuaria and Bill Frisell (EOM-CD-2110)
CANTUARIA: Lágrimas de Amor - Vinicius Cantuaria and Bill Frisell (EOM-CD-2110)
BACH: Prelude No1 in C - Jacques Loussier Trio (TELARC 483474)
BACH: Toccata and Fugue in D - Jacques Loussier Trio (TELARC CD 83466)
SATIE: Gymnopédie No1 - Jacques Loussier Trio (TELARC CD 83466)
