Pan-African Hour: New African Music (April 13, 2011)

On this episode we decided to showcase some of the new music that is coming out of Africa, since we tend to play a lot of old stuff, though we also play some new compilations of old music. Most exciting here is the reflection of a new market for African music that has opened up in the West. The original World Music market was made up of baby boomers that got into modified African music with cheesy pop production. But record labels like Strut, Soundway, Souljazz, Analog Africa and others are showing the existence of a new market that is more into African music from the 60s and 70s, music by Africans for Africans, without any of that cross-over production style! And this has allowed old acts such as Ebo Taylor and T.P. Orchester Poly-Rythmo to come back and access the international market for the first time. This episode showcases these new efforts from old legends, and some new comps from record labels that have helped create the new market. Also featured is Afrocubism, who reflect the late 90s trend to move away from pop production and go toward a more acoustic sound, a trend that appeals to the both the old and new markets.

Jovens Do Prenda - Farra Na Madrugada
Orchestre Polyrhythmo de cotonou - Pardon
Ebo Taylor - Mizin
Afrocubism - Al Vaiven De Mi Carreta
Rosendo Y Su Banda - Me Voy Pa'La Costa
Elis Regina - Roda
Mahmoud Ahmed - Feqer Bezebezegen
Orchestre Polyrhythmo de cotonou - C'est Lui Ou C'est Moi
Ebo Taylor - Obra
Clodomiro Montes Y El Super Combo Curro - Puerto Rico Zumbando
Afrocubism - Nima Diyala