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International music star and humanitarian activist Rocky Dawuni straddles the musical boundaries between Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create an appealing "Afro-Roots" sound that unites generations and cultures. Filled with uplifting and irresistible songs, Rocky's sixth album, and first on Cumbancha, blends inspirations from his diverse experiences while expanding on his identity as an artist, a proud son of Africa and as a true world citizen. Cumbancha will release Branches of the Same Tree worldwide on March 31st, 2015.
Inspired by the soulful beats of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, the positive messages and deep grooves of Bob Marley and the infectious, sing-along anthems of Michael Franti, K'naan and Matisyahu, Rocky Dawuni's songs blend elements of reggae, Afrobeat and global pop into an enticing new sound. The songs on Branches of the Same Tree also reflect influences of New Orleans funk, Brazilian samba, even the lilting sounds of Hawaiian ukulele, seamlessly integrated into a unique and approachable style. The album features appearances by an all-star lineup of guest musicians, including veterans from Michael Franti and Spearhead, Steel Pulse, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals and Ziggy Marley. Already a superstar in West Africa with a devoted international fan base, Branches of the Same Tree promises to bring Rocky's music to even wider audiences around the world.
Born in Ghana and based in Los Angeles, Rocky is a galvanizing performer whose infectious grooves and dance-inducing anthems have consistently excited fans. Blessed with easy-going charisma, Rocky has performed and collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae and John Legend, among many others. Named one of Africa's Top 10 global stars by CNN, he's showcased his talent around the world at major festivals and prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Rocky's eloquence, cultural diplomacy and successful melding of music and activism have led him to become a passionate spokesperson for various global causes. He has joined forces with Product (RED), UNICEF, the Carter Center and the UN Foundation. In 2012, Rocky was appointed the Tourism and Cultural Ambassador of Ghana and World Ambassador for the Musicians Union of Ghana. The same year, he was named a United Nations Foundation Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, alongside actress Julia Roberts and chef José Andrés.
According to Rocky, "Branches of the Same Tree was inspired by the songs and melodies I have heard over the years during my travels. It contains snippets of my personal observations of various cultures and global musical developments." The album's title reflects Rocky's belief that recognition of our shared humanity is the key to peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the world. "When we recognize we are all branches of the same tree we begin to see our common roots," argues Rocky, "this is the cornerstone of true Oneness."
2015 tour begins January 29th and continues until end of May
Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate return to North America on the heels of a triumphant debut in 2014. After the release of their acclaimed album Faya by Cumbancha Discovery and a successful tour in the summer of 2014, Driscoll and Kouyate, backed by bassist John Railton and drummer James Breen, bring their electrifying collaboration to venues across the US and Canada starting January 29th.
The well-worn and often overblown expression "music is a common language" has never been more apropos in the case of Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate. Driscoll contributes the rapping, looping, beatboxing and songwriting talents he developed growing up in Syracuse, New York and during his own successful recording career. Kouyate, already a phenomenon in African music circles, has blown minds and ears with his hypersonic electrified riffs on the kora, bringing the exalted West African harp into the 21stCentury with use of distortion peddles, effects and previously-unimagined technical prowess.
"A gloriously accessible collision of styles. It's an unlikely collaboration that works, magnificently.” - The Guardian
Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate Confirmed North American Tour Dates
Check www.cumbancha.com/events for updates
| January 29 | Boston, MA | Johnny D's |
| January 30 | Burlington, VT | Arts Riot |
| February 1 | New York, NY | Joe's Pub |
| February 5 | Montreal, QC | Le Ballatou |
| February 6 | Ithaca, NY | The Haunt |
| February 7 | Syracuse, NY | The Lost Horizon |
| February 8 | Toronto, ON | Lula Lounge |
| February 12 | Dayton, OH | University of Dayton |
| February 13 | Bowling Green, OH | Grounds for Thought |
| February 15 | Minneapolis, MN | The Cedar Cultural Center |
| February 16 | Chicago, IL | Mayne Stage |
| April 23 - 27 | Lafayette, LA | Festival International |
| April 28 | Brooklyn, NY | BRIC House Stoop Sereies |
| May 17 | Joshua Tree, CA | Joshua Tree Music Festival |
| May 31 | Redway, CA | Summer Arts and Music Festival |
New tour dates are being added every day, so please check www.cumbancha.com/events for the latest updates.
Press Kit: http://www.cumbancha.com/joeandsekou/press
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joedriscollmusic
Videos: youtu.be/DSWvlys0NLE / youtu.be/Xf4oemnMPfw
Website: www.joeandsekou.com
For more details or to arrange interviews, please contact: Seanan Denizot - seanan@cumbancha.com
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"African Thriller", the first single from Rocky Dawuni's forthcoming Branches of the Same Tree (out March 31st, 2015) embodies a unique and accessible "Afro-Roots" sound: a sumptuously funky blend of soul, pop, Afrobeat and reggae grooves. With his internationally recognized charisma and reputation as a dedicated activist, Rocky is a galvanizing performer and now he wants you to remix his celebratory track!
The “African Thriller Remix Contest” is your opportunity to express yourself through Rocky Dawuni’s music in whatever genre of your choosing. All are encouraged to enter and winners will be selected directly by Rocky. Be as creative as you can and transform Rocky’s music!
In his own words: "My song 'African Thriller' represents a cultural fusion of musical styles and challenging boundaries. I believe it lends itself to exciting and interesting sonic interpretations."
This month, the electrifying video for “African Thriller” features DJ and Producer Jeremey Sole's remixed version of the song. Sole, an acclaimed host on Los Angeles' taste-defining radio station KCRW has previously remixed tracks for Femi Kuti, David Bowie, Thievery Corporation and Quantic among others. Watch the video here.
Full downloadable stems of “African Thriller” can be downloaded directly here. And are available on Cumbancha’s Soundcloud page here.
All details including prizes, rules, submission guidelines and deadlines can be found con the contest's page here.
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BUY NOW: Cumbancha Store / iTunes / Amazon
Akory, the new album from Madagascar's Razia Said, explores the political and environmental challenges facing her native land. Out now in Europe (out in North America on January 20th).
Akory, which means “What Now?” in the Malagasy language, was produced on four continents over the last four years and sees Razia diving even more deeply into her Malagasy roots. Featuring a more stripped-down approach than her acclaimed debut album, Zebu Nation, Akory is full of upbeat songs with vibrant melodies and soulful collaborations with a number of Madagascar’s top musicians, including Regis Gizavo, D’Gary, Rajery and Teta. Keeping her focus on the connection between the environmental destruction and political dismay in the country she calls home, Razia delivers an album full of soul, energy, and urgency that reaches into her most private thoughts and emotions. While the album does not pretend to answer the question raised by its title, it argues that we can change our current path and work together towards a more positive future.
Cumbancha will release Akory in Europe on November 10th, 2014 and the rest of the world on January 20th, 2015.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH "AFRICAN THRILLER"
The electrifying video for Rocky Dawuni's latest single goes live on the week of the 40th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman's "Rumble in the Jungle"
Cumbancha recording artist Rocky Dawuni has released his new music video for the hit single "African Thriller" in partnership with Entertainment Weekly. The timing of the video launch occured just a few days after the 40th anniversary of the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and the video draws inspiration from that momentous event. At a time when news about Africa is dominated by the Ebola crisis, "African Thriller" offers a positive message celebrating African strength, unity and indomitable spirit. Follow this link to view the video on EntertainmentWeekly.com.
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BUY NOW: Cumbancha Store / iTunes / Amazon
The first 200 people to order a physical CD at shop.cumbancha.com will receive a set of 5 limited-edition Toure-Raichel Collective postcards.
The Touré-Raichel Collective will tour the US and Canada this fall, click here for a current list of tour dates.
"These players delve into the swirling waters of our globalized music culture and pull out bright fish, almost perfect, as if designed instead of conjured in the heat of improvisation." - National Public Radio's All Things Considered
“The melding of Touré’s rich African grooves and Raichel’s delicate piano is as close to perfection as one could imagine.” - Relix
In her new song "We Are Here," Keys calls on artists to build bridges and promote peace
Raichel’s newest collaboration with Malian Muslim artist Vieux Farka Touré, The Paris Session, out tomorrow, September 30
Video of Keys’ "We Are Here," feat. Raichel and Amr as part of the Global Citizen Festival, Live on NBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfgiqFme-Fs&list=UUGwuWQ_oCQfQ4lPASPbCvYg
Israeli pianist, singer and composer Idan Raichel, along with Palestinian singer and qanun player Ali Amr, came to New York over the weekend to perform with Alicia Keys, Saturday, September 27, in Central Park as part of the Global Citizen Festival. The event featured artists including Jay Z, Beyoncé, Sting, No Doubt and Carrie Underwood, and appearances by numerous global dignitaries and world leaders. For an audience of 60,000, Keys, Raichel and Amr performed “We Are Here,” a new song Keys wrote to unite her audience in a global effort for peace, and to encourage young people to play an active role in making the world a better place. Raichel has crossed boundaries throughout his career, collaborating with artists of different cultural backgrounds, religions and national origins, including Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré in the Touré Raichel Collective, whose new album, The Paris, Session is released by Cumbancha tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 30).
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The follow-up to "The Tel Aviv Session," one of the most critically acclaimed albums of recent memory, "The Paris Session" reunites Israeli pianist Idan Raichel and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré in a cross-cultural masterpiece that defies expectations and easy categorization.
PREORDER NOW AT THE CUMBANCHA STORE AND RECEIVE A LIMITED EDITION SET OF TOURE-RAICHEL COLLECTIVE POSTCARDS FREE!: http://shop.cumbancha.com
PREORDER NOW ON ITUNES: http://bit.ly/1qhRDPL
ON TOUR IN NOVEMBER 2014 AND FEBRUARY 2015. FOR MORE INFO VISIT:
http://www.toureraichel.com
https://www.facebook.com/toureraichel
Akory, the new album from Madagascar’s Razia Said, explores the political and environmental challenges facing her native land. Akory, which means “What Now?” in the Malagasy language, was produced on four continents over the last four years and sees Razia diving even more deeply into her Malagasy roots.
The follow-up to The Tel Aviv Session, one of the most critically acclaimed albums of recent memory, The Paris Session reunites Israeli pianist Idan Raichel and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré in a cross-cultural masterpiece that defies expectations and easy categorization.
"African Thriller" embodies Rocky Dawuni's unique "Afro-Roots" sound, a funky blend of soul, pop, Afrobeat and reggae grooves that have made him a household name in his native Ghana and earned him a wide following across the globe. Jeremy Sole, a DJ, producer and host on the taste-defining Los Angeles radio station KCRW, remixed the single version of "African Thriller". Sole has previously remixed tracks for Femi Kuti, David Bowie, Thievery Corporation, and Quantic, among others.