Showing 1 - 10 of 10
And ya don't stop!
Life, John Clewley, Published on 16/08/2023
» On Aug 11, New York City celebrated the 50th anniversary the birth of hip-hop with exhibitions, concerts and street art across the five boroughs.
Forest folk
Life, John Clewley, Published on 11/04/2023
» As part of an attempt to keep fit and enjoy what little green space we have in Bangkok, I have been a regular visitor to Benjakitti Park and its recently added section known as Benjakitti Forest Park. The new site, situated on land formerly occupied by the state tobacco company, has been transformed into a green space with different forest types such as mangrove, lowland forest swamp and so on.
Honouring a pioneer
Life, John Clewley, Published on 04/08/2020
» Sonia Pottinger was a trailblazing pioneer in Jamaica's male-dominated music industry as she played an important role in the development of popular music in the Caribbean island. She was the first female record producer in Jamaica and her pinnacle came during the 1960s, beginning with the ska era after which she made a transition to rocksteady and finally reggae.
A tribute to Manu Dibango
Life, John Clewley, Published on 31/03/2020
» Just after the World War II, in 1948, a gangly youth arrived in Strasbourg, France, after a long trip from Douala in Cameroon. He had 3kg of coffee in his luggage and a burning desire to be a saxophonist like Lester Young (later he would don a Young-esque pork pie hat and blow smoke rings like the acclaimed master). His name was Manu Dibango. Sadly, this veteran musician died last week of complications from the Covid-19 virus. He was 86 years old.
Magnificent molam rides again!
Life, John Clewley, Published on 26/12/2017
» This year's party at the Jim Thompson Farm in Pak Thong Chai, held each year at the same time -- the farm opened to the public for six weeks -- was a fun affair. The Farm Tour for 2017 is about the importance of water in the country's northeastern region, as reflected in the title, "Rushing Water -- The Life Force Of Isan".
African ambassadors of music
Life, John Clewley, Published on 03/11/2015
» Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux, one of West Africa's most famous dance bands, reunited last year to play shows in Europe and to celebrate Stern Music's release of a wonderful compilation of their early, formative music from the band's residency at the Motel de Bamako.
March of the brass bands
Life, John Clewley, Published on 25/08/2015
» Military marching bands brought Western music to Asia, beginning a process of cultural fusion and interaction that continues to this day. Christian religious music came along at the same time, often in the form of hymns, but I'm not sure that hymns had the same impact as the dramatic, crashing sound of brass instruments played by marching musicians.
Early 20th-century Southeast Asian recordings a real joy
Life, John Clewley, Published on 13/05/2014
» The US-based record label Dust-to-Digital has released a number of beautifully illustrated CD compilation packages that cover the earliest recorded music in places that have been ignored. Africa was one of the first releases and last October, the company released a wonderful eclectic four-CD compilation of vintage Southeast Asian music, Longing For The Past: The 78rpm Era In Southeast Asia.
Big ban creates hot hit
Life, John Clewley, Published on 28/01/2014
» LA-based R&B singer Richard Berry wrote one of rock 'n' roll's most enduring anthems, Louie Louie, in 1955, releasing it on the Flip 321 label in 1957 on the B-side of a 7-inch single. You Are My Sunshine was the song on the A-side. It was released again later in 1957. Berry had a minor hit in the Northwest, but the song failed to reach the charts. Berry tried several follow-ups but to no avail. In 1959, he sold his rights to the song to the head of Flip 321 for US$750 (he was getting married and need the cash).
Southeast Asia's kaleidoscope of sounds
Life, John Clewley, Published on 23/04/2013
» The Asean Economic Community (AEC) is due to open the markets of 10 countries in Southeast Asia in 2015 and much has been written about how best to prepare to take advantage of the opportunities the economic union will bring.