Blick Bassy

"Leman"

www.fourquartersent.com

Four Quarters

One of the new voices of African music, Cameroon native Blick Bassy begins with traditional influences from his Bassa culture and mixes them ever-so-gently with bossa nova, jazz and soul.

Bassy's music reflects the ever-evolving melting pot of world music and, in particular, the relationship between ex-pat African musicians and those coming of age in their native country. Now living in Paris, Bassy recorded both in Paris and at musician Salif Keita's studio in Mali. As part of an ethnic group that is fast losing its traditions, his music is informed by those concerns.

He uses his voice selflessly - as both a solo instrument and as part of a chorus. The lead track, "Africa," showcases both sides of Bassy's passions: It has a feel that's unmistakably African but sways and flows with a trans-continental groove. "Nlal" is Latin-tinged ballad while "Bolo" is buoyed by traditional call-and-response vocals. The celestial "Sebenikoro" is a too-brief showcase for his haunting guitar work and hints at another intriguing musical direction. Most importantly, Bassy's music retains that soothing, earthy quality that makes African music a poultice for the soul.

Various Artists

"Classic Protest Songs"

www.folkways.si.edu

Smithsonian Folkways

As spring turns to summer, the protest season is officially here. And, as long as your cause relates to the "left" side of war and social issues, these 22 tracks assembled by the Smithsonian folks, will provide the ideal soundtrack for your next protest, vigil or sit-in.

The set is book-ended by the "Freedom Now Chant" from a 1964 meeting in Hattiesburg, MS, and a version of "We Shall Overcome" by Guy Carawan, recorded at the Newport Folk Festival in 1961. In between you'll find a compendium of familiar songs performed by artists not usually associated with the tunes - "This Land is Your Land" (Steve Forbert, Jack Hardy, Jill Burkee and Mark Dann), "Turn, Turn, Turn" (Liz Getz), "Masters of War" (The Bergerfolk) and "Blowing in the Wind" (The New World Singers) - as well as to-the-point historical nuggets like Bill Broonzy's "Black, Brown and White," Peggy Seeger's "Agent Orange," and Champion Jack Dupree's moving "I'm Going To Write the Governor of Georgia."

Also included is a version of WV singer/songwriter Blind Alfred Reed's "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live" by the New Lost City Ramblers (this was the version that introduced Reed's music to Ry Cooder, who would go on to record a number of his songs).

Blick Bassy

"Leman"

www.fourquartersent.com

Four Quarters

One of the new voices of African music, Cameroon native Blick Bassy begins with traditional influences from his Bassa culture and mixes them ever-so-gently with bossa nova, jazz and soul.

Bassy's music reflects the ever-evolving melting pot of world music and, in particular, the relationship between ex-pat African musicians and those coming of age in their native country. Now living in Paris, Bassy recorded both in Paris and at musician Salif Keita's studio in Mali. As part of an ethnic group that is fast losing its traditions, his music is informed by those concerns.

He uses his voice selflessly - as both a solo instrument and as part of a chorus. The lead track, "Africa," showcases both sides of Bassy's passions: It has a feel that's unmistakably African but sways and flows with a trans-continental groove. "Nlal" is Latin-tinged ballad while "Bolo" is buoyed by traditional call-and-response vocals. The celestial "Sebenikoro" is a too-brief showcase for his haunting guitar work and hints at another intriguing musical direction. Most importantly, Bassy's music retains that soothing, earthy quality that makes African music a poultice for the soul.

Various Artists

"Classic Protest Songs"

www.folkways.si.edu

Smithsonian Folkways

As spring turns to summer, the protest season is officially here. And, as long as your cause relates to the "left" side of war and social issues, these 22 tracks assembled by the Smithsonian folks, will provide the ideal soundtrack for your next protest, vigil or sit-in.

The set is book-ended by the "Freedom Now Chant" from a 1964 meeting in Hattiesburg, MS, and a version of "We Shall Overcome" by Guy Carawan, recorded at the Newport Folk Festival in 1961. In between you'll find a compendium of familiar songs performed by artists not usually associated with the tunes - "This Land is Your Land" (Steve Forbert, Jack Hardy, Jill Burkee and Mark Dann), "Turn, Turn, Turn" (Liz Getz), "Masters of War" (The Bergerfolk) and "Blowing in the Wind" (The New World Singers) - as well as to-the-point historical nuggets like Bill Broonzy's "Black, Brown and White," Peggy Seeger's "Agent Orange," and Champion Jack Dupree's moving "I'm Going To Write the Governor of Georgia."

Also included is a version of WV singer/songwriter Blind Alfred Reed's "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live" by the New Lost City Ramblers (this was the version that introduced Reed's music to Ry Cooder, who would go on to record a number of his songs).