It was another triumphant weekend at Walthamstow Garden Party. Sunbathing in glorious weather and indulging in radiant notes played by brilliant musicians, we enjoyed every minute of it.
From its debut, basking in Saturday’s early afternoon heat with London African Gospel Choir and their rendition of Paul Simon’s Graceland, until Sunday evening’s grand finale with afrobeat eminence Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, the fifth edition of the North East London festival organised by Waltham Forest, Barbican Centre and Create London, fully deserved its reputation as one of the best free events of the London summer.
As in previous episodes, Walthamstow Garden Party displayed a wide range of traditions and styles. On Saturday we were treated to Colombian tropical-bass party-starters Cero39, rambunctious New Orleans-inspired eight-piece band Brass Funkeys, dub eminences Adrian Sherwood & Creation Rebel and Afro-Latin music charmers Afro-Cuban All Stars. While Sunday was about electro-dabké militants 47Soul, Brazilian ‘Queen of carimbó’ Dona Onete and Malian conscious diva Fatoumata Diawara.
For the fifth year in a row, we experienced a two-day journey exposing the best that the music world has to offer. To have a glimpse of it, just take a look at our galleries…
It wasn’t the first time that we had experienced and enjoyed a Doña Onete gig, still, she blew us away. Throughout her latest London show – which was organised by Movimientos and Mama Sound and took place at Rich Mix on the 17th of July – her energy and kaleidoscopic…
Artists: Doña Onete , Saulo Duarte
Walking into the small, church-like Stanley Halls, one could hear the familiar stabbing-horn sounds of afrobeat emanating from the hall. The venue almost juxtaposed the performance on stage; as one entered, a musical, colourful spectacle erupted from the stage, held together with aged wooden beams and high ceilings. The sound…
Artists: Seun Kuti , Seun Kuti & Egypt 80![Album Review: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Black Times [Strut Records; 2nd March 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/seun-kuti-black-times-620x620.jpg)
Black Times opens with warm congas, followed by afro-typical cyclical riffs on the guitar, layered with repetitive female chorus, the introduction of bass and full drum kit, then a short break before bursting full power back into the groove – this time with an added horn section of trumpet, tenor…
Artists: Seun Kuti , Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
A one-off performance for a one-off event. It doesn’t happen too often that we get to enjoy a Fatoumata Diawara gig in London, but on the rare occasions when the Malian musician visits the British capital, her shows are always hard-to-forget experiences. That’s how it went on the 26th of…
Artists: Fatoumata Diawara
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
Although the story behind how Aliou Touré, Garba Touré, Oumar Touré and Nathaneal Dembélé became Songhoy Blues is not all roses — they were forced to fled to the capital Bamako after northern Mali was occupied by jihadists — their music is everything but sorrowful. A sold-out Roundhouse could not…
Artists: Fatoumata Diawara , Songhoy Blues
For the thirteenth year in a row, London becomes the northernmost African city. Twenty-six acts spread over ten days of “glorious music” and ten London vibrant venues will bring to life the 2015 edition of the London African Music Festival. The event, organized by Joyful Noise since 2003, has always…
Artists: Aar Maanta , Daby Touré , Ebo Taylor , Gordon Masiala , Joe Driscoll And Sekou Kouyate , Mose Fan Fan , Oum , Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 , Suzanna Lubrano , Yinka Davies
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