Guitarist and singer Ndala Kasheba first came to Tanzania with Fauvette, a band from Congo in 1964. He was active in the Dar es Salaam scene ever since then. In the 1970’s he led the famous “Orchestra Safari Sound”. He then created his own group “Zaita Musica” and toured in Europe. Ndala Kasheba recently departed the world,and will be surely missed by everyone, from the Swahili people to the Swedish, and to those whose ears hear his distinctive twelve string guitar sounds.
Garikayi Tirikoti
Mbira Garikayi Tirikoti has been developing his unique take on the ancient Shona musical art, and his unusual 8-piece group, for over thirty years. Garikayi also creates the mbira in his home workshop, of various traditional tunings as well as his own creations, and is known for manufacturing some of the finest instruments available. He is a spiritual leader and teacher in his community in Chitungwiza. He has toured in Europe twice, to Holland and Switzerland in 2001. He will surely make an appearance in a venue near you soon!
"....spiritually charged music of Zimbabwe’s Shona people has inspired a worldwide cult following. Recordings of the mbira, a 22-iron-pronged hand piano, circulate among the faithful but rarely make it into record stores. This one, coming from a new label specializing in Tanzanian music, stands out from the pack. Tirikoti is a phenomenon, in part because he uses a range of mbiras in different tunings to expand the instrument’s sonic range and in part because he plays with amazing speed and precision.
- Banning Eyre
Dalai Lama Renaissance Artists
Ndala Kasheba - Yellow Card
This was Mzee Kasheba's last album. It contains some of his most famous hits, including Dezo Dezo, Marashi ya Pemba and Nimlilie Nani. The title track, "Kadi ya Njano" or Yellow Card, is a Mzee's scathing commentary on the media and the perception it creates.
At one point in his life, Mzee fell prey to a prolonged illness which rendered him unable to make his weekly performances or put out albums. The media proclaimed that he was finished. They decreed that he had become a weak shell of the great maestro they had all come to love.
Maestro Ndala Kasheba was always known for his sharp wit, both musically and lyriclly, and "Kadi ya Njano" was Mzee's uncompromising repremand of all those who wrote him off in his time of struggle and doubt.
"......... he's what guitar paradise is made of even though that heavenly collection passed him by. Definitive is the 12-string acoustic he cradles in both photos. Sustaining is gentle singer Baziano Bweti, who died in 2002 preaching AIDS education. Of good cheer are King Malou's perky alto themes on "Massamba" and the super-collectible "Kokolay." Also nice are the clicks, the claps, the coro. You believe in staying positive? East African soukous is still writing the book. A MINUS http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0323/christgau.php Consumer Guide by Robert Christgau Eating Again June 2nd, 2003 2:30 PM
Ndala Kahseba - Refugees
Ndala Kasheba spent more than thirty years as a refugee. This CD single's title track expresses Mzee's hopes for the youth, for his grandchildren and the world that they create. Mzee Kasheba is joined by Delphin Mununga and children from YCIC, a Dar es Salaam organization working with abandoned children for the chorous - "liberty, peace and tranquility....."
The original footage for the music video was shot by Ranjiv Kapour in our home in Dar es Salaam. Director Manny Marquez came up with the idea of mounting a projector onto onto a car window and beaming the footage onto the tent cities, set up every night by the 100,000 + homeless population of Los Angeles. The result is a poetic visual expression which illustrates the common hurdles all nations face in working towards realizing equality and dignity for all.
REFUGEE VIDEO ONLINE
MORE VIDEOS OF TANZANIAN MUSIC ON THE NEWS PAGE!!!
Various Artists - New African Composers
“…New African Composers is an essential listen for anyone interested in the origins of so much of this world's music, from ska and jazz to salsa and merengue. It is simultaneously a history lesson and a glance into the future evolution of what has become generically known as "world" music. It is certainly a must for those who appreciate the syncopated beats of hip-hop, or the free-verse improvisation of jazz.” Rob Walsh - Ink 19 February 2003
Techung - and Lhasa Spirits
Techung is a prominent Tibetan singer/songwriter living in exile in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is best known for his performances of traditional Tibetan music, dance, and opera under the name Tashi Dhondup Sharzur. He uses his childhood nickname, Techung, when performing as a solo artist. Whether performing in traditional or contemporary styles, Techung's dual goals are to revive Tibetan music in the Tibetan community and to expose the rich performing cultural tradition of his homeland to the world community.
Techung and Michel Tyabji - Oct. 12, Michigan Sacred Music Festival
Techung and Michel Tyabji - Sept 13th. to Sept. 26th
Our visit kicked off with a completely sold out show at Tokyo's prestigious Suntory Hall. The tour was organized by Ray Light Japan, an amazing organization focused on showcasing Tibetan music in Japan.
Russia and Kalmykia - May 22th - June 2nd
The group is back home now after their concerts in Moscow & Elista, the capital of Kalmykia, is the only Buddhist country in Europe !! They performed for the Ocean of Compassion festival at the soccer stadium in Elista and at the International House of Music, or Domme Musica, in Moscow. Please see the video below for more info!!
Grass Valley / Nevada City - May 5th - May 14th
They also had a successful show in the Nevada City, Northern California in May. They spent almost a week prior to the show at the Fore Sight Foundations beautiful campus, rehearsing and working on new material.
We will be updating their tour schedule with the newest events soon... Just a hint: Look out for them in Nepal, Taiwan and the US before the end of 09'.......
The Tibet House Annual Benefit Concert 2009 was held at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 3rd, 2009. Techung & Lhasa Spirits represented Tibetan music at the event. The line-up was fantastic, and included these performers: Philip Glass & the Scorchio String Quartet, Patti Smith, Steve Earle, Keb' Mo', Antibalas, Angelique Kidjo, Vampire Weekend, The National, Zack Glass, Jesse Smith, and the Monks of the Drepang Gomang Monastery.
PENANG WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL - 2008
Michel Tyabji, Co-Founder of Limitless Sky Records, performed with the renowned Tibetan artist Techung at the 2008 Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia. Check it out here:
Achigo Band - Muziki wa Dansi
Achigo Band used to be Orchestra Marquis, champions of Swahili dance music. Veteran musicians from various “muziki wa dansi” bands had joined forces to make the Achigo Band. Mwanza Mpango King Kiki and Kasongo Mpinda Clayton lended their smooth vocals to the group, along with a cast of stars of the past 30 years of prominent performing artists from the Dar es Salaam scene.
Yekete Beat - Swahili Style Highlife
The lively, percussion-driven pop act Yekete Beat Band formed in the Arusha region of Tanzania in 1989. Leader Saidi Matimbwa learned guitar from his father, Islamic hymns from Koranic school, and took training in music at the National Arts Council. The fusion of backgrounds makes this band unique, lending highlife feel to traditional Tanzanian rhythms. They play regularly in Arusha. Check them out on the compilation CD: New African Composers Vol. 1!
Delphin Munuga - Voice of the Congo
Singer Delphin Mununga was brought to Dar from Lubumbashi, Congo, by Ndala Kasheba in the 1980s to play with Zaita Musica. He toured with Zaita to Europe in 1989. He has stayed in Dar since then. He now plays with various big bands, like Bora Bora Sound, and began his own group “Esthetic Musica” which tours in Arabia and Asia. Currently Delphin has toured the Congo and Dubai.
Techung - Tibetan Songs of Love & Freedom
TECHUNG: Techung is a prominent Tibetan singer/songwriter living in exile in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is best known for his performances of traditional Tibetan music, dance, and opera under the name Tashi Dhondup Sharzur. He uses his childhood nickname, Techung, when performing as a solo artist. Whether performing in traditional or contemporary styles, Techung's dual goals are to revive Tibetan music in the Tibetan community and to expose the rich performing cultural tradition of his homeland to the world community.
Michel Tyabji is a drummer/ percussionist who has lived and performed in over half a dozen different countries, from England to Tanzania. He draws his experience and influences from India, Africa and Arabia together with his education in Western Classical music. Michel is also educated as an audio engineer and music producer. He is a sought after music producer for international artists within America.
In addition to producing music for Limitless Sky Records, Rosa & Michel Tyabji have worked as Producers for independent film and video, most recently completing a documentary in India.
As professional Location Recordists/ Sound Mixers for film & network TV productions, as well as doing Sound Design and Audio Post Production from their studio, Rosa & Michel have a variety or projects that they are involved with.
Rosa has worked as a sound mixer on feature length films, shorts, commercials, industrial shoots, music videos, and PSA's since 1996. She began in New York City and has worked in film productions on four continents: America, Europe, Africa and (most recently) Asia.
See more about the film, video and TV productions that both Rosa & Michel Tyabji are involved with by going to the website - Sounds Ready Check it out!
