It’s almost that time of the year again, when you can spend an entire day at Rich Mix enjoying dozens of exciting acts, from West-East-North-Southern Africa, Latin and South America, and well, the UK entirely for free. That’s because Open the Gate Festival is approaching, and on Saturday 8th June it will monopolise the cultural centre in Shoreditch for the tenth time.
![Album Review: Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa London – Africa Soyo [February 2020]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/simolagnawi-soyo-cover-1-620x620.jpg)
In recent decades, the music of the Gnawa has transitioned from a repertoire of ritualistic trance-inducing songs – performed exclusively for the adherents of its night-long healing ceremonies – to a more profane yet equally transfixing professional type of music, played on festival stages and in venues the world over. Due not…
Artists: Simo Lagnawi , Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa London
This Corona stuff really sucks ey! Since we might all be bound by borders for a while, we’d like to come together and share some happiness in the shape of a playlist or mix! In the next days and weeks, check out Safe & Sounds, where we will figuratively introduce you…
Artists: Nuri , Safe&Sounds
It doesn’t happen everyday that online music platforms champion the cause of musicians, but Bandcamp has showed us, more than once, to be different from the vast majority of music platforms. Today (until 11.59PM Pacific Time), to support all the artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland-based company will…
Artists: Cheb Runner , DJ Doraemon , Hailu Mergia , Hamish Napier , Irreversible Entanglements , Jeich Ould Badou , Let Drum Beat , Lina Raul Referee , Raül Refree , Simo Lagnawi , Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa London , Son Rompe Pera , Spoek Mathambo , The Sorcerers , Tino Contreras
This Corona stuff really sucks ey! Since we might all be bound by borders for a while, we’d like to come together and share some happiness in the shape of a playlist or mix! In the next days and weeks, check out Safe & Sounds, where we will figuratively introduce you…
Artists: Safe&Sounds , Tenesha Smith , Tenesha The Wordsmith
Irreversible Entanglements @ Corsica Studios (10/03) Irreversible Entanglements are that new group that make you sit up and take notice. Lead by poet, experimenter and performer Moor Mother after a very successful year, the band have formed a powerful combination. Irreversible Entanglements take the poets experimental and politicised lyrics and back them to a fast…
Artists: 3ma , Afrikan Boy , Ballake Sissoko , Driss El Maloumi , Gaia Mobilij , Hot 8 Brass Band , Irreversible Entanglements , Kallemi , Kampire , Let Drum Beat , Melt Yourself Down , Oum , Princess Nokia , Princess Prada , Rajery , Riobamba , Saronde , Shabaka Hutchings , Simo Lagnawi , Simo Lagnawi & Gnawa London , Sudan Archives , Tarabband , Wara
The glorious Love Supreme returned to the prime Sussex pastures of Glynde for its seventh year, and what a return it was. With such a startling array of talent on offer, it was a mighty challenge to stay in one spot for too long for fear of missing out elsewhere….
Artists: Alicia Olatuja , Allysha Joy , Chip Wickham , Dj Khalab , Ezra Collective , Gladys Knight , Gogo Penguin , Jimmy Cliff , Joe Armon-Jones , Lauryn Hill , Mahalia , Nubya Garcia , Sampa The Great , Snarky Puppy , Tank And The Bangas , Tenesha The Wordsmith , The Teskey Brothers , Theon Cross , Yakul
Marcelo D2 @ The Jazz Cafe (Monday 08/07) During the last year, hip-hop has become one of the most attractive Brazilian musical exports, and Marcelo D2 one of its most emphatic representatives. So, it’s a pleasure to welcome him back to London, writing about his upcoming show at The Jazz Café, which will…
Artists: Afrikan Boy , Afriquoi , Amadou & Mariam , Amira Kheir , Amy True , Blue Lab Beats , Bumi Thomas , Carthnage , Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra , Dj Jigüe , Elpeche , Emicida , Ezra Collective , Fatima , Femi And The Inrhythms , Gianni Denitto , Imperio Bamba , Kamaal Williams , Koroleko Moussa Dembele , La-33 , Lua Preta , Marcelo D2 , Mayra Andrade , Merca Bae , Nané , Naphta , Neneh Cherry , Onra , Renegade Brass Band , Sons Of Kemet , Stella Chiweshe , Tássia Reis , The Blind Boy of Alabam , The Bongo Hop , Xylouris White , Zara Mcfarlane![Album Review: Fémina – Perlas & Conchas [Fémina Music; April 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/feminacover-620x620.jpg)
An Argentine group who stood out from their peers with their proud feminist stance, Fémina consists of Clara Trucco, Sofia Trucco (both of whom are sisters) and Clara Miglioli. The latter two are the founding members, who originally channelled their American hip-hop influences, but once Clara Trucco joined, they began…
Artists: Femina![Album Review: Nicola Cruz – Siku [ZZK Records; January 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/sikucover-620x620.jpg)
One of the most iconic and recognisable instruments from South America is probably the siku, a handmade pan-pipe made of bamboo shoots, originating from the Andes and played to this day by its indigenous peoples. Countless variations of the siku exist in South America – each with its own variation…
Artists: Nicola Cruz
French-born, Ecuador-raised composer Nicola Cruz is one peculiar artist. When his first album Prender El Alma came out in 2015, many were left speechless: his intuition to blend warm, bass-fuelled, downtempo beats with traditional Andean melodies resulted in a new kind of music that spoke straight to the heart. While touring around…
Artists: Nicola Cruz
Two weeks to go until the new edition of Jazz:Re:Found. In its past editions, the forward-looking festival has brought to Italy names such as hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash, techno legend group Underground Resistance, funk-jazz Brazilian masters Azymuth and many more. This year’s theme Black & Forth sums up the two…
Artists: Antal , Bugz In The Attic , Dj Khalab , Funk Shui Project , Mos Def , Moses Boyd , Nu Guinea , Tenderlonious![Album Review: Khalab – Black Noise 2084 [On The Corner Records; 20th July 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/khalab-noise-620x620.jpg)
In recent years, a growing number of producers have engaged in exploring the potential of mixing electronic music with music, traditional sounds and field recordings coming from all corners of the globe — giving birth to some of the most interesting records of the decade. Some, like Nicola Cruz or…
Artists: Dj Khalab , Khalab
The sun is shining as people from all corners of the globe – including artists from six continents and fifty countries – come together for this year’s eclectic celebration of world music and dance culture. Families, friends and couples of all ages erect tents, blow up mattresses and boil water…
Artists: Abatwa , Amadou and Mariam , Bcuc , Bollywood Brass Band , Gilles Peterson , Hanggai , Hashmat Sultana , Havana Meets Kingston , Herbaliser , Ian Brennan , K.o.g. And The Zongo Brigade , Ken Boothe , Kokoko! , LADAMA , Leftfield , Maalem Hamid El Kasri , Macka B. , Meklit , My Baby , Orchestre Les Mangelepa , Owiny Sigoma Soundsystem , Rafiki Jazz , Rodney P , Seby Ntege , Tal National , Thievery Corporation , Too Many Zooz
We already had a thing for DJ Khalab‘s Afro-electro sound… So, try to imagine how thrilled we are to share his futuristic brand-new single and video. The Italian DJ, producer and radio host has recently teamed up with UK alt-jazz wizard Shabaka Hutchings and Tommaso Capellato another offbeat Italian DJ,…
Artists: Dj Khalab
Paraphrasing the words said by their frontman Jovi Nkosi at the end of their recent London’s show on the Rich Mix stage, BCUC is a band you don’t have to listen to, but to experience. The Soweto ensemble, one of the most striking music projects coming from South Africa in…
Artists: Bcuc
It doesn’t happen every day that we get to enjoy a double-bill show celebrating the artistry of two remarkable female musicians. Luckily, we didn’t miss the unique opportunity which happened on stage at the Barbican where we saw two such protagonists in Carleen Anderson and Zara McFarlane. Despite the two…
Artists: Carleen Anderson , Zara Mcfarlane
There are hardly any better ways with which to illustrate the concept of ‘upbeat’ than by narrating a TootArd show. The band, hailing from the Golan Heights, with its heartening music, are the best answer to the decades of political troubles and social struggles burdening the region, and one of…
Artists: TootArd
Last year Groovalizacion Radio selected monthly the best albums for you. What better way to celebrate the new year than looking back at these fine albums from 2017? Out of our selections, we distilled a top 20 from the past year. The higher the album is ranked, the more it is supported by our…
Artists: Bargou 08 , Blay Ambolley , Dem Juju Poets , Doña Onete , Eddie Palmieri , Groovalizacion Radio , ÌFÉ , La Mambanegra , Lagartijeando , Magin Diaz , Msafiri Zawose , Nidia Gongora , Oghene Kologbo , Orchestra Baobab , Orchestre Mangelepa , Oumou Sangaré , Quantic , Rio Mira , Sibusile Xaba , Son Palenque , They Must Be Crazy , TootArd
A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to attend one of the highlights of the London’s music calendar: Amadou & Mariam. The Malian couple delighted the Koko audience presenting their brand new work Bofou Safou and performing an exciting sold-out gig supported by London born-and-bred hip-hop narrator Afrikan Boy. Here’s what we saw and…
Artists: Afrikan Boy , Amadou & Mariam
Nicola Cruz is to put it simply, a fantastic musician. In my humble opinion, his music speaks of more than just the seeking of pleasure, but to the pursuit of life. His tracks offer themselves to the human condition, that we are born and die alone, and in between, we’re…
Artists: Nicola Cruz
One missing due to my major oversight .. Please note the vital #mozimafundraiser on FRIDAY JUNE 7th at CLF Arts CAFE , BUSSEY BUILDING , PECKHAM … Here is the facebook link – been trying to post it on site myself with no joy. It’s in support of those so badly affected by the cyclones in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malai with well researched beneficiary organisations. DO SUPPORT – advance ticket link bit.ly/30sJ1ei Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2125530844404573/