W♥M

Lucibela at the Cedar Cultural Center (09/16/2022)

Setlist Amdjer KÁ Bitche Txe Txu Fla Violeiro Laço Umbilical Ven Presto Amor Novo Olhar Profilaxia Bombena Adeus Mamã Mal Amadu Alma Gêmea Justa Recordação Amdjer Ka Bidje Prece Dum Fidje Estronhe Negui Zum Zum Curpim Sab -- Encore -- Mi E Dode Na Bô Cabo Verde Read More Lucibela Celebrated Cape Verdean singer Lucibela is on her US tour, celebrating the release of her new album Amdjer. The tour will stop in at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on September 16, 2022. … Douala Soul Collective MDOU MOCTAR + Invisible Boy, Douala Soul Collective Cedar Cultural Center Sat 04/06/2019 (7pm/$15) thecedar.org Turag guitarist and songwriter Mdou Moctar is touring in support …

Lucibela stopped by the Cedar Cultural Center in the middle of her U.S. tour on Friday to support her recently released album Amdjer.  It was only a few years before that she introduced herself with the debut album Laço Umbilical announcing to the world there was a fresh face to carry on the Cape Verdean musical tradition started by Cesaria Evora.

The evening opened with the Douala Soul Collective, a two-man DJ Combo highlighting music from their Cameroon port city with an eclectic range of music highlighting African rhythms, zouk, funk, soul, jazz, cumbia, disco, hip hop, reggae, while spinning vinyl records and showing some impressive dance moves throughout the set.

Lucibela took the stage backed by three guitarists and one drummer.  But it was her voice that was the highlight of the evening.  A voice described by Banning Eyre of NPR as magnificent, liquid and effortless. 

Lucibela brings a calm, graceful presence, revealing a warm smile that the Cedar Cultural Center website described as: “… a fresh breeze ruffling the bougainvillea blooms and wave tops.”

Luciebela is from Cape Verde, a collection of small rocky islands off the northwestern coast of Africa.  Her hometown of Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, has a rich history of sailors from Brazil, Cuba, England and Portugal, making ports of call and bringing their own musical traditions. 

Listening to Lucibela sway through her set, one is transported to her small island, a place where she started at an early age working in the hotels of the resort town of Santa Maria, with songs from the jazz, bossa nova and rock genre. 

Lucibela has recently concentrated on the musical genres of her native Cape Verde, morna and coladera, which she said are folk songs that highlight daily life on the island.  A good example is her music video Ti Jon Poca, where a farmer’s day involves dancing with his wife and tilling the rocky, arid soil in hopes of a little rain. 

The set highlighted songs from both of her albums.  Songs like Violeiro, expressing a beautiful longing; Amdjer Ká Bidje, a breezy bossa nova; and Zum Zum (Buzz Buzz), a song that brought the crowd to its feet and Curpim Sab, a song that brought everyone to the dance floor. 

The highlight of the evening wasn’t the songs to dance to but the ones where the crowd sat down, the band stepped back and Lucibela stepped into the spotlight to reveal a depth with songs like Bombena, a slow ballad that revealed deeper shades and hues in her voice; Estronhe, a song that brought quiet stillness in a voice that expanded and subsided with wonderful restraint; and Negui  which highlighted her dynamic range and ability to sustain a singular note that elicited a generous roar from the crowd. 

To finish the evening Lucibela sang Mi E Dode Na Bô Cabo Verde, an apt song to let you know where it all began. 

Lucibela U.S. Tour

9/17 – Chop Shop – Chicago, IL
9/18 – Analog – Nashville, TN
9/19 – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/20 – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/21 – Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA
9/22 – Lotus – Bloomington, IN
9/23 – Swallow Hill Music – Denver, CO

Douala Soul Collective

Douala Soul Collective

Setlist

Lucibela

Lucibela

Lucibela

Lucibela at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (16 Sep 2022)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

World Beat: Seun Kuti, Linda Ronstadt, Lucibela

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80: “Love & Revolution” tour Read More Seun Kuti Nigerian Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing “When We Move” with American rappers Common and Black Thought. …

Read more World Beat and Jazz Notes

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
seunkuti.net

Afrobeat pioneer Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 is currently on their “Love & Revolution” tour. The tour will stop in at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis on September 21st.

We caught the band at Rock the Garden in June 2015 and wrote, “How fitting on Father’s Day that the heir to the Afrobeat throne, Seun Kuti , led his father Fela’s band, Egypt 80, playing undoubtedly the highest energy hour of the weekend. The Nigerian group was the worldbeat entry to the festival and the first African band to grace its stage. Kuti and his fifteen-plus cohorts made their short time worth it with the tribal, jazz, funk, and rhythmic hybrid that his father pioneered.”

Tour dates:

9/14 City Winery, Philadelpha PA
9/16 City Winer, Washington DC
9/18 Big Climate Thing, Queens NY
9/20 Subterraneon, Chicago IL
9/21 Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis MN
9/23 Big Top, St Louis MO
9/24 Format Festival, Bentonville AR
9/27 Washington's, Fort Collins CO
10/01 Desert Daze, Moreno Valley CA

Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands - Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Odyssey Read More Putumayo This year, Putumayo is releasing Jazz Christmas, an uplifting collection of mostly instrumental jazz for the holidays. If you like World Music, chances are, you probably own a Putumayo album. They are known for compiling some of the best …

Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands
putumayo.com

New Orleans-based record label Putumayo, renowned for bringing world music to America, will be releasing Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands — Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Odyssey this September 30, 2022. This is to accompany Linda Ronstadt’s new book, Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands, published by Heyday Books.

The musical collection was co-curated by Ronstadt and Putumayo founder Dan Storper and includes influential songs from her childhood and career, as well as several of her own interpretations of classic Mexican songs. Package and digital fans will enjoy the best of both worlds, as the CD package will include an album download card.

The full tracklist for Feels Like Home: Songs from the Sonoran Borderlands—Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Odyssey is:

1. Ry Cooder with Lalo Guerrero – Barrio Viejo
2. Linda Ronstadt – El Sueño
3. Los Cenzontles – Palomas Que Andan Volando
4. D. Ronstadt & The Co. – Canadian Moon (New Version)
5. Linda Ronstadt with Emmylou Harris – Across the Border
6. Jackson Browne with Los Cenzontles – The Dreamer
7. Los Cenzontles with David Hidalgo – Naninan Upirin
8. Linda Ronstadt with Dolly Parton – I Never Will Marry
9. Linda Ronstadt – Piel Canela
10. Los Cenzontles – Voy Caminando

Lucibela: Amdjer

Lucibela
lucibela.com

Celebrated Cape Verdean singer Lucibela is on her US tour, celebrating the release of her new album Amdjer. The tour will stop in at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on September 16, 2022.

The new album is a tribute to Cape Verdean women, and features mostly of unreleased songs of twelve songs by composers and authors from Cape Verde of different generations such as Nhelas Spencer, Luis Lima, Toy Vieira, Tibau Tavares, Miquinha, Elida Almeida, Ary Duarte, Daya, and Emilio Moret.

Lucibela U.S. Tour

9/16 – The Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN
9/17 – Chop Shop – Chicago, IL
9/18 – Analog – Nashville, TN
9/19 – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/20 – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/21 – Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA
9/22 – Lotus – Bloomington, IN
9/23 – Swallow Hill Music – Denver, CO

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Vieux Farka Touré at the Dakota (5/18/2022)

Setlist Touré De Niafunké Filipha Diaraby Magni Ni Negaba Fafa Ali Yer Gando Samba Si Kairi Walaïdu All the Same Ba Kaitere -- Encore -- Nha Maïmouna Poussaniamba Tour Dates May 19—SPACE—Evanston, IL May 20—Le Poisson Rouge—New York, NY May 21—World Café Live—Philadelphia, PA May 22—Race Street Live—Holyoke, MA June 8—Crystal Ballroom—Somerville, MA June 10—Infinity Hall—Norfolk, CT June 11—StageOne—Fairfield, CT June 12—Afrika Nyaga Fest—Providence, RI August 4—Celebrate Brooklyn—Brooklyn, NY Read More Vieux Farka Touré Acclaimed Malian artist Vieux Farka Touré will be playing the Dakota Jazz Club, in Minneapolis, on May 18, in support of his forthcoming album Les Racines (World Circuit Records). .…

“You finally made it,” shouted a gentleman from the crowd after the second song. 

In fact he did, Vieux Farka Touré making good on a postponed show from September of last year. 

The introduction from the emcee stated it was their biggest crowd since the Dakota re-opened after the pandemic and the crowd and Touré seemed primed for a festive night. 

The first few songs had everyone seated, though, with Touré playing an acoustic guitar, Marshall Henry on bass and Adama Kone on the percussive instrument, the calabash.  They played like they were sitting around a campfire, slowly passing the time with an open, soulful sound trying to fill the infinite space of a desert night.

Touré played with a warm and playful spirit. He enjoyed interacting with his band mates with a back and forth between him and Henry as if they were still fine-tuning a song. 

Touré highlighted songs from six of his previous albums, which was ironic considering he has a new album being released this week - Les Racines.  Maybe he’s contractually obligated to wait for the release date of 5/20/2022.  After all, this concert is almost a year behind schedule.  Hopefully, a returning tour to the Dakota will be in the works. 

After setting the mood, Touré stood up, strapped on the electric guitar and played “Fafa”, which sounded quite a bit like “Azawade”, a song from The Tel Aviv Session, a collaboration he did with Israeli piano player, Idan Raichel.  We Heart Music covered their concert at the Dakota ten years before. Touré remained seated that night for the music did not call for him to go electric. 

Touré has earned a moniker of being the Jimi Hendrix of West Africa.  I like the Malian Desert Blue Prince.  He definitely has a distinct, singular sound forged by Malian musical traditions and the Blues found in Chicago, the Delta or anywhere else where the Blues can be. 

Touré is the son of legendary guitarist Ali Farka Touré.  The father did not want his son to become a musician for he thought being a professional soldier would provide a more stable life.  But talent would not be denied and the son secretly took guitar lessons behind his father’s back and eventually won his approval.

Touré has the technical skill as well as the soul of a virtuoso.  And when he launched into “Samba Si Kairi” he filled the intimate venue with an epic guitar solo like he was playing a football stadium.  And as quickly as he brought the crowd to a standing ovation, he channeled B.B. King by wailing on his guitar in “Walaïdu”.

To draw the evening to a close, Touré encouraged the crowd to stand up and dance with the final two songs, songs rooted in the west coast African tradition, the type of music that made it very easy to stand up and sway, which everyone in the audience did.

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Africa: Seun Kuti, Mdou Moctar, Hugh Masekela

Read more Africa

Common: A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2   Read More Seun Kuti How fitting on Father’s Day that the heir to the Afrobeat throne, Seun Kuti , led his father Fela’s band, Egypt 80, playing undoubtedly the highest energy hour of the weekend. The Nigerian group was the worldbeat entry …

SEUN KUTI
seunkuti.net

Nigerian Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing “When We Move” with American rappers Common and Black Thought.

The live performance was slightly unusual, because Seun was actually performing live virutually from New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria. Given the COVID-Delta situation and logistics, it made sense that the song had to be performed this way.

“When We Move” merges African jazz, soul, funk, with hip hop and rap. It’s the first single taken from Common’s upcoming album A Beautiful Revolution (Pt. 2) , available September 10th, 2021. Obviously, the track features Seun Kuti (son of Fela and brother to Femi Kuti) as a vocalist and saxophonist. The song also features Black Thought, cofounder of The Tonight Show house band The Roots.

Watch the performance on YouTube.

We caught Seun Kuti in April 2012 and at Rock the Garden 2015 and wrote, “The Nigerian group was the worldbeat entry to the festival and the first African band to grace its stage. Kuti and his fifteen-plus cohorts made their short time worth it with the tribal, jazz, funk, and rhythmic hybrid that his father pioneered.”

Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime   Read More Mdou Moctar Tuareg guitarist and songwriter Mdou Moctar is touring in support of his new album Ilana (The Creator), available now via Sahel Sounds. Mdou Moctar will be joining Tame Impala for shows in May …

MDOU MOCTAR
mdoumoctar.com

Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar (currently based in based in Agadez) is coming back to Minneapolis, at the Cedar Cultural Center on September 18, 2021, to support Afrique Victime (Matador Records). More details on thecedar.org.

The guitarist is often referred to as the Jimi Hendrix of the Sahara, by combining Saharan music with American Rock (inspired by Eddie Van Halen).

Tour Dates

09/03/2021 Bonnaroo
09/03/2021 Saturn Birmingham, AL
09/04/2021 Terminal West Atlanta, GA
09/05/2021 Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC
09/07/2021 Ottobar Toronto, ON
09/08/2021 Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PA
09/09/2021 Music Hall Of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
09/10/2021 Music Hall Of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
09/11/2021 Gateway City Arts Holyoke, MA
09/12/2021 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA
09/14/2021 Thunderbird Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
09/15/2021 Ace Of Cups Columbus, OH
09/17/2021 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
09/18/2021 Cedar Cultural Center Minneapolis, MN
09/20/2021 Globe Hall Denver, CO
09/21/2021 Globe Hall Denver, CO
09/22/2021 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
09/23/2021 Treefort Music Fest
09/24/2021 The Crocodile Seattle, WA
09/25/2021 Mississippi Studios Portland, OR
09/26/2021 Mississippi Studios Portland, OR
09/28/2021 The Chapel San Francisco, CA
09/29/2021 Starline Social Club Oakland, CA
10/01/2021 Desert Daze Pre-Party
10/02/2021 Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA

Mzansi Undercover: Stimela   Read More Hugh Masekela [23 Jan 2018] Hugh Masekela (South African jazz trumpeter and composer), 78, prostate cancer [23 Jan 2018] Lari White (American country singer and actress) …

HUGH MASEKELA
hughmasekela.co.za

Record label Warner Music South Africa is putting together an honorary album called Mzansi Undercover. The idea behind the album is to collect timeless, iconic South African songs through a production approach that delivers a wide-screened, chilled-out experience to the listener.

One of the songs we got to listen to was a smoky Carribean-esque version of “Stimela”, originally written and composed by the late Hugh Masekela, who is often described as “the father of South American jazz”. The cover artwork lists Rocksteady Dub, which may be the production group behind this version of the song.

Masekela’s 1971 composition “Stimela (The Coal Train)” was written when he was in exile in the USA and recorded for the first time for his 1974 album, I Am Not Afraid.

Here’s how they described the album and release:

Warner Music SA presents an honorary Album called Mzansi Undercover with a smoky Caribbean flavour of Hugh Masekela’s ‘Stimela.’

‘Stimela’ is a precedence of a weekly release into the Mzansi Undercover album launch.

Mzansi Undercover honours a selection of timeless, iconic South African songs through a production approach that delivers a wide-screened, chilled-out experience to the listener.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com

Bombino at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (08 October 2016)

Teenage Moods Setlist Rosebuds Sweeties Get It Right Bodies Strange Bop So Low 3½ Her Reality with 'The Lick' Intro Sheer Wonder Sadness Mint Babe Groovy Regina Pop Song Read More Bombino Internationally acclaimed musician Bombino will be stopping by the Cedar Cultural Center on Saturday, October 8th. The Tuareg guitarist and singer-songwriter from Niger will be playing some tracks ... Teenage Moods Local garage/power pop band Teenage Moods to open. Tour Dates 10/03/16 Albuquerque, NM The Dirty Bourbon 10/04/16 El Prado, NM Taos Mesa Brewing 10/07/16 Austin City Limits Music Festival …

Niger’s internationally acclaimed Tuareg guitarist and singer/songwriter Bombino recently stopped by the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, playing some selections from his latest Azel album, available now on Partisan Records.

Local garage/power pop band Teenage Moods (Gordon on guitar & vocals, Taylor on drums, Julian on bass, Kyle on keyboards, and Eliot on guitars... although they currently lists “Nikki and Pork chop” on their roster). According to singer Gordon, they have written a lot of songs... but “we don’t know [how to play] many of them,” after turning some requests from the audience.

After 40 minutes of their set, they realized that they had enough time for one more song, so they stretched out their set to 45 minutes with a song I think was called ‘Pop Song’.

As soon as Bombino and his full band took the stage at the Cedar Cultural Center, a flock of fans filled out the main dance floor, eagerly awaiting to hear Bombino play his distinctive guitar style.

If you didn’t know, Bombino (real name Omara Moctar) came from a troubled time in Niger, when there were the Tuareg people rebelled against the country in the early 90s. Niger, in fear of another rebellion, basically banned all guitars (which was seen as a symbol of rebellion). Bombino was one of the key musicians representing his people, stated, “I do not see my guitar as a gun but rather as a hammer with which to help build the house of the Tuareg people.” After two of Bombino’s fellow musicians were executed, Bombino was forced into exile from his beloved country.

The 2010 documentary Agadez, the Music and the Rebellion touch on the struggles of Niger’s largest city (Agadez) and featured Bombino as its subject. That’s about the same time that he was able to return to his home, and probably was the moment that made Bombino an international music icon.

In fact, many of today’s most popular musicians, like Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, were influenced by Bombino’s music.

With that long, rich history, the audience was made up with a big diverse group of some rare Tuareg fans, Nigerians, and some Algerians.... not the typical NPR-esque audience that the Cedar Cultural Center is known to bring in (although there were still plenty of NPR-ish fans in the audience!)

Bombino decided to play mostly from his new album Azel (Partisan Records), including the show starter and lead single ‘Akhar Zaman (This Moment)’.

Bombino’s remaining tour dates:

10/14/16 Desert Daze
10/22/16 Ramblin' Roots Festival
10/23/16 The Hague, Paard van Troje
10/25/16 Darmstadt, Centralstation
10/27/16 Monte Carlo, Grimaldi Forum
10/28/16 Amersfoort, Fluor
10/29/16 Ghent, Belgium Centrale
10/30/16 Rotterdam, Netherlands Bird
11/03/16 Rouen, France Le 106
11/05/16 Bourgoin Jallieu, France SMAC Les

Teenage Moods: Gordon

Teenage Moods

Teenage Moods Setlist

Bombino

Bombino

Bombino at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (08 October 2016)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Femi Kuti at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (15 July 2016)

Tour Dates 07/21/16 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom 07/22/16 Wayhome Music And Arts 07/24/16 XPoNential Music Festival 07/26/16 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall 07/27/16 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Bowl 07/28/16 Pittsburgh, PA The Altar Bar 07/29/16 Washington, DC 9:30 Club 07/30/16 Floydfest Read More Femi Kuti As usual, the Cedar does a great job putting together the lineup, showcasing some of the best current African musicians, schedule as follows: 06/26 Femi Kuti & the Positive Force …

The Cedar and Sue McLean & Associates brought Femi Kuti and The Positive Force to the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on Friday night, July 15th. This was the second show for the Cedar’s annual “African Summer” music series... and by the large turnout to Friday’s event, it’s a huge success. This is really a good thing, as only the Cedar and the Walker Art Center seemed to be the only two venues bringing world music to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, and it’s a “positive” thing.

Worldwide Discotheque

Worldwide Discotheque was a DJ who spun some World, Tribal, Afro-Dance music, to keep guests entertained while waiting for the show to begin. They continued to provide music between sets (and even after the show). The unique thing about them is that they only used a vinyl setup... which is challenging when queueing up the correct song, etc.

Zuluzuluu

Zuluzuluu opened up the show. This experimental project is fronted by Greg Grease, and seemed to look like three men standing over electronic switches. They described themselves as African/Astro music, and had more in common with current pop/r&b sound, with heavy dance, funk beats. I understand what they trying to, that is to take African music and take it into the future or modern age... but to me, the heavy reliance on electronic-produced sound kind of defeats why people like Africana music (which has always been traditional organic instruments). Perhaps time will tell if people accept this new sound or not.

Highlight of their set: they had a guest flutist and saxophonist Troy Williams (of Mind and Matter) appeared near the end of their set.

Femi Kuti

If you’re not familiar with Femi Kuti’s name, he is the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti (or simply known as Fela). Like Fela’s youngest son Seun Kuti, Femi continues his father’s massive music legacy by creating new Afrobeat works and campaigning against political injustice (in fact, some of the songs performed live included a piece about “Political Corruption” in his song ‘Politics Na Big Business’).

In a typical funk show with a large musical cast (there were at least 15 people on stage), we get a long introduction to the various band members. At first, the backing back, known as The Positive Force, came on stage, playing their intro music. Next, the horns section comes on and do their little ditty... then promptly head back to their respective area. The traditional girl dancers in colorful garb came on next, did a little twerking, and then settled in the dancing section. Finally, the main star of the show, Femi Kuti came on stage to a roaring cheer from the audience.

Right at the start of Femi’s show, he tells us, “This is Africa. This is Afrobeat.” He asked us to forgive him for not talking much, as he would rather just let the music play, hoping that through his music that he brought Africa to us.

The majority of his set seemed to be songs from his last few albums, including 2013’s No Place for My Dream and 2010’s Africa for Africa (live set included the title track). However, he did play some unrecorded music, which he said, “now for the new.”

If you want to learn more about Afrobeat, you really need to check out a Femi or Seun Kuti show. I promise you will be dancing throughout the night.

Femi Kuti at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (15 July 2016)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Vieux Farka Toure at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (07/09/13)

Tour Dates 07/10/13 @ Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA 07/11/13 @ La Fete de Marquette, Madison, WI 07/13/13 @ Yoshis, San Francisco, CA 07/12/13 @ Levitt Pavilion, Pasadena, CA 07/14/13 @ California WorldFest, Grass Valley, CA 08/02/13 @ Pickathon, Happy Valley, OR 08/03/13 @ Pickathon, Happy Valley, OR 08/04/13 @ Crestone Music Festival, Crestone 08/06/13 @ Walnut Room, Denver, CO 08/07/13 @ JAS Cafe , Aspen, CO Read More Vieux Farka Touré Vieux Farka Touré's most recent album, Mon Pays (My Country) was recorded in tribute to his homeland Mali. He wants to remind everyone of the wonderful culture and beauty that Mali is known.…

July 9 at the Cedar Cultural Center was taken over by Vieux Farka Touré.

MORLEY

But before Vieux Farka Touré took the stage, Morley, a throwback to the folk singers from the protest era, she is from New York City and really warmed up the audience. What a tranquil and silky voice she has! Not unlike Joni Mitchell in tone and in message. She played for 45 minutes and then Vieux Farka Touré took stage in mere moments.

Vieux Farka Touré with his lead electric guitar, was accompanied by three other band members, a Rhythm guitar player, a bass player and a drummer.

The drum was very unusual. It appeared to be a half of a sphere, or what looked like half of a what I imagine a dinosaur egg to be in size. The drummer struck it with sticks that weren't much bigger than chopsticks, and it gave off a loud clicking sound but it didn't resonate as if it was hollow, as are most drums.

The music that the band exuded was very African, but had the sound of underlying western rock and roll. Much of the times it had a very rhythm and jazzy expression. Mostly, it sounded joyful. Vieux Farka Touré is from Mali and all the words were sung in his native tongue. All four band members were wearing traditional Mali clothing, gleaming and colorful. Vieux Farka Touré himself was appropriately wearing electric blue.

The audience began moving to the music almost immediately. If not full out dancing, they were at least swaying to the heartbeat tempo of the rhythm. The audience was told that the music they were hearing from his new album Mon Pays was written in tribute to Vieux Farka Touré's beloved Mali, which is currently being terrorized by Islamist militants. Much of the money raised by the concert is going to help Mali and there was also an area set up outside of the stage for donations to be made directly to helping the country of Mali.

Vieux Farka Toure at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (07/09/13)

gretchen ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ www.vieuxfarkatoure.com

African Summer 2013

Read More African Summer 2012 I also just wanted to quickly mention that we are covering a few Cedar's "African Summer" 2012 concert series. I'll be attending Orchestre Poly-Rythmo …

AFRICAN SUMMER 2013
thecedar.org

Summer is here, and you know what that means: African Summer at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. I don't know when this began, but I'm glad to see it's a reoccurring Cedar feature. We'll try and cover at least one or two shows.

As usual, the Cedar does a great job putting together the lineup, showcasing some of the best current African musicians, schedule as follows:

06/15 M.anifest
06/26 Femi Kuti & the Positive Force
06/28 Amadou & Mariam
07/09 Vieux Farka Touré
07/10 Fendika
07/26 Chicago Afrobeat Project

About these musicians:

M.anifest won "Best Rapper" and "Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year" at the Ghana Music Award, so expect him to do that song ("Makaa Maka") this Saturday. Interesting note: I believe he's currently based in Minneapolis.

If the name Femi Kuti sound familiar, it's because he's the eldest son (as opposed to the young son Seun Kuti) of Fela Kuti.

Amadou & Mariam are a real life blind couple; they met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind. The two now perform together as a duo.

Vieux Farka Touré - see feature below.

Fendika is an Ethiopian collective, featuring six performers (including two dedicated dancers).

If you think six is large, how about 7 to 14 in Chicago Afrobeat Project? The Cedar emphasized that the upcoming performance will also feature master drummer Tony Allen.

Read More Vieux Farka Touré About twenty minutes into the concert Israeli musician, Idan Raichel explained to the audience how he and Malian guitar virtuoso, Vieux Farka Touré, came to be on the stage of The Dakota …

VIEUX FARKA TOURE
vieuxfarkatoure.com

Vieux Farka Touré's most recent album, Mon Pays (My Country) was recorded in tribute to his homeland Mali. He wants to remind everyone of the wonderful culture and beauty that Mali is known. The ongoing fighting between Islamic rebels and the Tuareg is not what Vieux Farka Touré' wants the world to remember of his country of origin.

Mon Pays represents the acoustic blues tradition of Mali. He has made this record to preserve Mali's culture. Vieux Farka Touré' is one most thrilling artists to come out of Mali.

North American tour starts this week:

06/14/13 @ Outside At The Research Park
06/15/13 @ Takin’ It to the Streets
06/16/13 @ Great Hudson River Revival
06/19/13 @ Dirty Bourbon, Albuquerque, NM
06/20/13 @ Arroyo Seco Live, Arroyo Seco, NM
06/21/13 @ eTown Hall, Boulder, CO
06/23/13 @ Performance Works, Vancouver
06/24/13 @ Sugar Nightclub, Victoria, Canada
06/25/13 @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA
06/26/13 @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle, WA
06/27/13 @ The Wild Buffalo, Bellingham, WA
06/28/13 @ Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR
06/30/13 @ Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
07/01/13 @ Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa, Canada
07/03/13 @ Club Soda, Montreal, Canada
07/05/13 @ Iron Horse, Northampton, MA
07/06/13 @ Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
07/09/13 @ Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
07/10/13 @ Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA
07/11/13 @ La Fete de Marquette, Madison, WI
07/13/13 @ Yoshis, San Francisco, CA
07/12/13 @ Levitt Pavilion, Pasadena, CA
07/14/13 @ California WorldFest, Grass Valley, CA
08/02/13 @ Pickathon, Happy Valley, OR
08/03/13 @ Pickathon, Happy Valley, OR
08/04/13 @ Crestone Music Festival, Crestone
08/06/13 @ Walnut Room, Denver, CO
08/07/13 @ JAS Cafe , Aspen, CO

TD SUNFEST
sunfest.on.ca

The TD Sunfest is taking place this July 4-7, 2013, at London, Ontario, in Canada. The festival highlight Africa's reggae icon Alpha Blondy and Malian vocalist Fatoumata Diawara, as two of the headliners.

The festival is so big that it has "mini-festivals" within Sunfest, including a showcase dedicated to the world’s burgeoning Afrofunk and soul scenes (Anthony Joseph & the Spasm Band; Sekoya Revisited and The Heavyweights Brass Band).

2013 Line Up

July 4, 2013: Boogat, Briga, Calypso Rose, Drumhand, Fatoumata Diawara, Genticorum, Los Vega Son Jarocho, Palo Cruzao, Rey Vallenato Beto Jamaica, Sacha Williamson, Samba Squad, Silk Road

July 5, 2013: Baterimba, Boogat, Briga, Calypso Rose, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Custodio Castelo, Drumhand, Fatoumata Diawara, Los Vega Son Jarocho, Genticorum, Palo Cruzao, Quique Escamilla, Rey Vallenato Beto Jamaica, Sacha Williamson, Samba Squad, Silk Road

July 6, 2013:
Amina Figarova Sextet, Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band, Baterimba, Briga, Calypso Rose, Chico Trujillo, Custodio Castelo, Drumhand, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Five Alarm Funk, Genticorum, Hasna El Becharia, Heavyweights Brass Band, Hurlevent, Kleztory, Lazo, Music Machine with Ramone Valle, Palo Cruzao, Patricia Cano, Quique Escamilla, Remi Panossian Trio, Rey Vallenato Beto Jamaica, Rommel Ribeiro, Sekoya Revisited, Sonia Johnson, The Lula All-Stars, Traeben

July 7, 2013:
Alpha Blondy, Amina Figarova Sextet, Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band,Baterimba, Boogat, Briga, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Chico Trujillo, Custodio Castelo, Drumhand, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Five Alarm Funk, Genticorum, Hasna El Becharia, Heavyweights Brass Band, Hurlevent, Kleztory, Laura Fernandez, Lazo, Los Vega Son Jarocho, Music Machine with Ramone Valle, Palo Cruzao, Patricia Cano, Quique Escamilla, Remi Panossian Trio, Rey Vallenato Beto Jamaica, Rommel Ribeiro, Sekoya Revisited, The Lula All-Stars

I SING FOR FREEDOM
baruch.cuny.edu

"I Sing for Freedom" is a sort of Broadway show, presented by Eric Krebs, running every Monday from June 17 to August 19 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York. The show was conceived and directed by Thuli Dumakude, who brings Southern church gospel and traditional South African Township songs sung in Zulu. All the singing will be handled by Thokoza, an a cappella collective consisting of five older South African and African American.

Performances are on Mondays at 7:00 PM at the Arts Center, located at 55 Lexington Avenue . Tickets are $20, details on baruch.cuny.edu.

Trivia: Thokoza, which means "celebration" in Zulu.

gretchen + vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

July Guide (2012)

Like Free in July and Guide to July, July in Minneapolis usually means lots of free outdoor/daytime free shows (like Bastille Day on July 15th). I would recommend bringing your own lawn chair and umbrella (for both sun and rain).

LAKE HARRIET
mplsmusicandmovies.com

The "Music and movies in the park" happen all over the Twin Cities' parks - it's really hard to sort out what bands and movies are playing on a particular night, so I would suggest looking over their schedule to zero in show…. Or you can just surprise yourself and randomly catch one of these events.

Generally these are local Minneapolis bands. The Lake Harriet showcase with VITA.MN seems like real winners: Caroline Smith on August 3rd, Is/Is on August 10th, S.Carey (aka "scarey") on August 17th, and Heiruspecs on August 24th. Also, don't forget our favorite sibling band, Lynhurst on the last date: September 3rd.

Schedule:

07/04/12 Retro Groove Classic Rock, Pop, R&B 07/05/12 The Flyin' A's Rockin' Americana Songwriting with guts 07/06/12 The Snaps Pure Americana Rock 07/07/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/08/12 2:00 Wolff Jabbr Original Modern Jazz 07/08/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/09/12 Jazz on the Prairie Big Band High Energy Big Band Jazz 07/10/12 St. Louis Park Community Band Refreshing 07/11/12 Charity Huot Original fun lovin' alternative folk 07/12/12 Eden Prairie Community Band 07/13/12 Minnesota Sinfonia Professional chamber orchestra 07/14/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/15/12 2:00 MBOTMA Minnesota Bluegrass 07/15/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/16/12 Calhoun-Isles Community Band Concert band 07/17/12 Machinery Hill Folk music from many locations 07/18/12 Israel Scout Friendship Caravan Israeli Musical 07/19/12 Kenwood Slim & "His Fairly Reliable Backup Band" 07/20/12 Minnesota Sinfonia Professional chamber orchestra 07/21/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/22/12 2:00 Steve Parry Country, Solo Acoustic, Folk 07/22/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/23/12 Brooklyn Community Band Concert music for all ages 07/24/12 Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis Orchestra Classics 07/25/12 Hopkins Westwind Concert Band Community 07/26/12 Robinsdale City Band 07/27/12 The Smarts Original Pop Jazz 07/28/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/29/12 2:00 Bethany Larson and the Bee's Knees 07/29/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live e 07/30/12 The Auto Body Experience Horn-driven quirky rock fun 07/31/12 The Siems-Hauer Acoustic Duo 08/01/12 Doug Otto and the Getaways 08/02/12 1st Things 1st Performing jazz and swing 08/03/12 VITA.MN Presents: Caroline Smith & Good Night Sleeps

08/04/12 West Bank School of Music Joyful African pop music 08/05/12 2:00 The Moss Piglets 08/05/12 5:30 Lau Hawaiian Collective Hawaiian Water Songs 08/06/12 Bend in the River Big Band 17-Piece Big Band 08/07/12 Alison Scott Soulful, organic indie-rock 08/08/12 Gypsy Mania Gypsy 'Hot Club' swing jazz 08/09/12 Sing United - A Combined Chorus Event 08/10/12 VITA.MN Presents: Bloodnstuff with Is/Is 08/11/12 Michael Monroe Origianl Acoustic Folk/Reggae/Jazz 08/12/12 2:00 Kenwood Symphony Orchestra 08/12/12 5:30 Butch r Baker & Candlestyx Woodstock 08/13/12 Patchouli High energy Folk meets Flamenco 08/14/12 Honeywell Concert Band 08/15/12 Michelle Lynn Rhythmic and lyrical folk originals 08/16/12 Tortuga! Jazz/World/Rock Instrumental Quartet 08/17/12 VITA.MN Presents: S. Carey Music 08/18/12 No Man's String Band 08/19/12 2:00 Julie Johnson & The No-Accounts 08/19/12 5:30 La Danse Fatale La Danse Fatale Ballet Company 08/20/12 Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra Variety 08/21/12 Divine Diva Dames Swinging 08/22/12 Standing Waves Intelligent acoustic/electric pop rock 08/23/12 Capri Big Band Premier big band jazz 08/24/12 VITA.MN Presents: Heiruspecs Music 08/25/12 The Melvilles Rock, Folk, Pop, Country - Fun! 08/26/12 2:00 The Neighborhood Trio Pop Soul Jazz 08/26/12 5:30 The Tex Pistols Gritty and Real Country Roots 08/27/12 Zuhrah Shrine Band Traditional Concert Band 08/28/12 Sean Goffin Acoustic pop and rock 08/29/12 Detroit Don King Band Urban blues, rock n roll and jazz 08/30/12 Herman Jones My Funk Brother Band 08/31/12 Tom, Dick & Harry Fun, Rockin' Originals & Covers 09/01/12 Matt Moberg Acoustic folk pop duo 09/02/12 2:00 Andy Calhoun Country rock with an edge 09/02/12 5:30 Javier Trejo Trio Mexican-Americana 09/03/12 5:30 Lynhurst Original pop-rock sibling band

CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER
thecedar.org

If you listen to our podcasts, I have time and time again said that the Cedar is one of my favorite Minneapolis venue.

The Cedar does offer a free, weekly summer show on their outdoor patio simply called The Cedar Outdoors. Music generally starts at 7pm on Thursdays. If it's not raining, I may bicycle into town to check out some free shows:

07/05/12 Mandolin Orange - Americana, Folk
07/19/12 Axis Mundi World Trio - Global roots, Jazz
07/26/12 Guante - Hip hop
08/02/12 Wizards Are Real - Post rock, Experimental

I also just wanted to quickly mention that we are covering a few Cedar's "African Summer" 2012 concert series.

I'll be attending Orchestre Poly-Rythmo at the Cedar on July 10th. This is a rather big band and their music is described as "voodoo funk", so I'm expecting some New Orleans-brass mixed with Afrobeat funk.

Based on previous African shows I've attend in the past, they are usually pretty packed (if not sold-out), so I'm going to assume these shows will be standing room only and lots of dancing in the front.

Dave is attending Wake Up Madagascar on July 13th, you can read more about them in our previous article.

SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT NORTHROP
northrop.umn.edu

Previously called "Summer at Northrop", this is a free, outdoor summer concert series featuring local musicians and DJs, alongside U of M student bands.

I've never been to a SMFN, but it's located in the Minnesota University (84 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis).

07/13/12 MaLLy & Culture Cry Wolf With DJ Fundo
07/18/12 The Premiums
07/27/12 Voices Merging: A Splash of Summer Open Mic
08/01/12 Sans Souci Quartet

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (04/14/12)

Tour Dates 4/15 - Coachella - Indio, CA 4/16 - Campbell Hall - Santa Barbara, CA 4/18 - UC San Diego - San Diego, CA 4/19 - Zellerbach Hall - Berkeley, CA 4/20 - UCLA Royce Hall - Los Angeles, CA 4/22 - Coachella - Indio, CA 4/24 - KTAOS Solar Center - Taos, NM 4/25 - Albuquerque Museum Amp - Albuq, NM 4/27 - New Orleans Jazz Fest - LA 4/29 - Houston Internat'l Festival - TX 5/02 - House of Blues - New Orleans 5/13 - Lake Eden Arts Festival - NC Read More Seun Kuti Seun Kuti is the son of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti . Like his father before him, Kuti took up music and even leading his father's band Egypt 80!

It was a sold-out show at the Walker Art/Vita.MN/Best Buy/The Current presentation of Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 at the Cedar Cultural Center* in Minneapolis. The band is huge, fifteen players, including several sax, several trumpets, conga, two women dancers/backup singers, and a shekere (this is a dried gourd with beads) player.

Just to give you a little background, Seun Kuti is heavily influenced by his father's work. Even at the age of 14, Seun Kuti, took over as lead singer of Egypt 80, when his father, Fela, passed away in 1997. As I have previously written, Fela pioneered Afrobeat. Just as his father before him, Seun seems quite interested in human rights and political issues in his home country of Nigeria.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (04/14/12)

Most of the current Egypt 80 band was in the original Fela lineup, so as you can guess, they're mostly at least in their fifties. As for the music, it's Afrobeat, basically lots of African rhythmic beat and funk. The trumpets and saxophones gave their music a big brass sound.

Before Seun came on stage, his band was warming up the crowd by introducing the band members and horsing around on stage. By the time Seun came on stage, two songs were already played. Officially they started with a Fela Kuti song, to pay for respect for the man.

He did a few songs from his new album, From Africa With Fury: Rise, including the title track, "Rise" (with a three minute rant about the banks and credit swap and money crisis).

Highlight of the show was "Plant and Grow", which Seun opened up a water bottle and proceeded to water the stage!

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 will be performing at Coachella today, you can watch it live on youtube! From Africa With Fury: Rise and its companion EP, From Africa With Fury: Rise REMIXES are both out now on Knitting Factory Records.

* PS, The Cedar was the perfect venue to house this large band and historically, the venue has always supported world music (can't see this band playing at a dive bar or a tiny place like 7th Street Entry).

vu () ♥ www.knittingfactoryrecords.com/artists/seunkuti