Friday 24 July 2009

Moroccan Gnawa

part 1

part 2

part 3

part 4

Our man in the field purchased this tape from a shop in Tangier. Having persuaded the two men working the shop that it was cassettes he was after not CDs he asked for "Gnawa" and was duly handed half a dozen tapes. Sometimes you do have to judge a book by its cover. Our agent reportedly "liked the look of these dudes". Part 4 of this cassette is one of the finest pieces of music CdM HQ has encountered from anywhere ever.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GNAWA MUSIC

Monday 6 July 2009

Mushawaparara Mbira Group




Side 1

Side 2

Saw the cover and immediately knew we were on to a winner. Wonderful sounds abound on this tape. Each side is around half an hour and we felt that there was no real need to split all the tracks, they roll along so fine. Below is a link to the website about the band where they pull no punches about their abilities and with some extensive notes about the songs on this album.

Mushawaparara Mbira Group

Note the sleeve credit "ululation by the late Mrs Gezai Ruth Masomera". CdM HQ sincerely hopes Mrs Masomera did not ululate herself to death.