#4414, New Releases, Sep. 2020
It’s the most wonderful time of the month where we showcase new music that has come into the digital library in the past few weeks. Some of the new releases for September, which is also Ethiopian New Year, include a new record from the Father of Ethio-Jazz, the vibraphone player Mulatu Astatke, with the Black Jesus Experience, and a new record from the Adis Ababa-based ensemble QWANQWA. There’s also new music by Joshua Van Tassel for Ondea (related to Ondes Martinot), Mass for the Endangered by Sarah Kirkland Snider, and a new work for carillon by David Cieri. Plus, listen to new music by Malian guitarist Afel Bocoum, and new music from Vermont-born, now London-based folk singer Sam Amidon.
From the latest record by Mulatu Astatke and Black Jesus Experience, To Know Without Knowing, which was recorded in Melbourne, Australia and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hear a tune by Astatke, Father of Ethio-jazz and vibraphone together with the Australian twelve piece global-funk-machine, BJX, “Kulun Mankwaleshi.” Also, listen to music by string ensemble QWANQWA, furthering Ethiopia’s unique string traditions of one-string mesenko fiddle, and the lyre called krar. There's also five-string electric violin, plus vocals and traditional kebero drum. Hear new music from Malian guitarist Afel Bocoum’s record, Lindé, and the tune “Fari Njungu” which features a violin contribution from Joan As Policewoman.
There’s also slow motion dance music from Juno-nominated composer, producer, and sound artist Joshua Van Tassel featuring a modern incarnation of one of the earliest electronic music instruments, Ondea, an Ondes Martenot-inspired instrument. Then, listen to a song from Sam Amidon’s forthcoming record, and a reimagining of the folk tune, “Little Margaret,” as “Maggie.”
Sample a portion of a environmentally-themed new mass by Sarah Kirkland Snider, which is a celebration of, and an elegy for, the natural world. Originally commissioned by Trinity Church Wall Street, Snikder’s Mass for the Endangered has a libretto by poet/writer Nathaniel Bellows and is based on the traditional Catholic mass. Also, listen to new music for carillon (the set of bells found in cathedral towers) by David Cieri from his ongoing World Carillon Project. Hear Jasper Dapraetere play “A Clearing In The Woods,” recorded in Lier, Belgium. - Caryn Havlik
Watch “A Clearing In The Woods” by David Cieri:
Program #4414, New Releases, Sep. 2020 (First aired 9/30/2020)
ARTIST: Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience
WORK: Kulun Mankwaleshi [1:20]
RECORDING: To Know Without Knowing
SOURCE: Agogo Records
INFO: mulatuastatkeblackjesusexperience.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Joshua Van Tassel
WORK: Conjuror-er [7:39]
RECORDING: Dance Music Volume II: More Songs For Slow Motion
SOURCE: Forward Music Group
INFO: joshuavt.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Sam Amidon
WORK: Maggie [4:54]
RECORDING: Sam Amidon
SOURCE: Nonesuch Records | due out Oct. 23
INFO: nonesuch.com/artists/sam-amidon
ARTIST: Afel Bocoum
WORK: Fari Njungu [5:37]
RECORDING: Lindé
SOURCE: World Circuit
INFO: https://shop.worldcircuit.co.uk
ARTIST: QWANQWA
WORK: Gurage [4:57]
RECORDING: QWANQWA Volume 3
SOURCE/INFO: qwanqwaband.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience
WORK: Kulun Mankwaleshi [7:47]
RECORDING: To Know Without Knowing
SOURCE: Agogo Records
INFO: mulatuastatkeblackjesusexperience.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Gallicantus, and instrumentalists
WORK: Sarah Kirkland Snider: Kyrie [6:44]
RECORDING: Sarah Kirkland Snider: Mass for the Endangered
SOURCE: New Amsterdam Records / Nonesuch Records
INFO: sarahkirklandsnider.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Jasper Dapraetere
RECORDING: The World Carillon Project
WORK: David Cieri: A Clearing In The Woods [5:20]
SOURCE: youtube.com/watch?v=hFPGzhlmnA
INFO: davidcieri.com
