Seckou Keita’s solo perfomance of ‘Souaressi’ during Edinburgh Festival 2011
February 3rd, 2012Sound History Volume 1 tasters released
February 3rd, 2012Can't wait until Sound History hits the shelves (in all its vinyl goodness)? Here are some tasters of the tracks. Don'y forget you can either buy the download using this player or you can get the limited edition 12" by visiting and ordering at http://bristolarchiverecords.com/vinyl.html
Enjoy!
AMJ Dub Collective Sound History Volume One April 23rd
January 27th, 2012
AMJ's first 12" vinyl, a limited edition, will be released on April 23rd in collaboration with Sugar Shack Records/Bristol Archive Records. A Tribute to Bristol Sound Systems back in the day, it features The General on MC duties and Rob Smith with a brace of dub mixes.
The trio's aim was to recreate the classic reggae sound that they grew up with, yet they aren't afraid to bring things up to date where appropriate as well as bringing in some guest musicians for an added Latin twist that harks back to Jamaican music's origins and close links with Cuba and the wider Caribbean.
The idea for these tracks came from Mark Spence who felt it was long overdue to document in song the City's rich heritage of sound systems, their selectors, MCs and the posses who supported them, a tribute to the reggae scene that nurtured and inspired the members of AMJ Dub Collective as well as countless others over the decades.
The choice of Eric 'The General' on microphone duties was obvious as not only had he taken that role in Restriction, but was also an MC on legendary Bristol sound system Enterprise. His delivery has lost nothing in the last thirty years and it's great to be able to hear him again.
Rob Smith needs no introduction and although his career has covered the “Bristol Sound”, drum and bass and dub step, he has never drifted far from his reggae roots, having been a founder member of both Zion Band and Restriction, it's only natural that his mixing talents were called upon and he certainly delivers.
This is reggae for the twenty first century, yet reggae built on years of practice and skill, music played on real instruments by real musicians and not something programmed on a PC using the same tired digital effects, “Sound History” will be released as a limited edition 4 track 12” EP complete with picture sleeve, if only all new reggae was made with such care and attention.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
TOUMANI DIABATE & CATRIN FINCH
January 26th, 2012
We are happy to announce an Astar Artes-Theatre Mwldan-Chapter co-production ….. A breathtaking collaboration between two of the World's greatest musicians – Toumani Diabaté on kora and Catrin Finch on harp.
This is our third project with Theatr Mwldan, the intrepid musical adventurers based in Cardigan, Wales. Billy Cobham & Asere, Catrin Finch & Cimarron were great artistic and box office hits and we expect these upcoming shows to be an awesome experience not to be missed!
Toumani Diabaté is one of Africa’s most important musicians and widely considered the world’s finest living kora player. A performer of exceptional virtuosity and creativity, his pedigree goes back through 71 generations of kora players, from father to son. He has collaborated with Damon Albarn, Taj Mahal, Bjork and the late, great Ali Farka Touré with whom he won a Best Traditional World Music Album GRAMMY Award in 2006.
Catrin Finch, the “Queen of Harps” is one of Wales’ leading international musical ambassadors, she was Royal Harpist to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales from 2000-2004. Her concert appearances with the world’s top orchestras span the globe and she has worked with artists including Bryn Terfel, Sir James Galway and Julian Lloyd-Webber. Catrin’s highly successful recent collaboration with Colombian harp-based band Cimarron toured Wales three times.
Catrin and Toumani, harp and kora, Wales and Mali – a remarkable, unique experience.
- 26.03.12 Theatr Mwldan Cardigan 01239 621200 http://www.mwldan.co.uk/
- 27.03.12 Theatr Brycheiniog Brecon 01874 611622 http://www.brycheiniog.co.uk/
- 28.03.12 Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Cardiff 029 2039 1391 http://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/
- 20.03.12 William Aston Hall Wrexham 01978 293293 http://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/AboutGlyndwrUniversity/Whatson/events/
- 31.03.12 Taliesin Arts Centre Swansea 01792 602060 http://www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk/
Seckou performing at TED Geneva
January 1st, 2012Seckou and his sister Binta performing at TED Geneva in 2011
ASTAR RELEASES 2012
December 19th, 2011
A warm thanks to all those who came to the shows and bought music from our artists this year.
Stay tuned – we have a series of singles, EPs and albums for release across 2012 in a variety of formats,
CDs, downloads and vinyl from …….
SECKOU KEITA, ADAN PEDROSO & JUSTIN ADAMS, ASERE, and the AMJ COLLECTIVE
Introducing AKA Trio
December 7th, 2011
★★★★ the Scotsman
AKA trio Antonio Forcione, Seckou Keita , Adriano Adewale
Performing at the Assembly main Hall – 14-19 Aug Edinburgh Fest 2011.mov
Saturday September 10th, 2011 11:05
ThreeWeeks – ED2011 Music Review: Antonio Forcione
There are no words to describe the greatness of this show. In the most epic trio of musical perfection I have ever come across, acoustic guitarist Antonio Forcione is joined by Seckou Keita on the kora and percussionist Adriano Adewale. Not only are the performers' musical abilities mind-blowing, but the passion and genuine joy of playing for others brilliantly shines on their faces and temporarily blinds you, so that, in the extremely rare occurrence that they make a mistake, you'll be none the wiser. Every single audience member was mesmerised by this performance; it is easily one of the best shows I have ever seen, in and out of the Fringe. It would be tragic to miss this.
Quotes
Antonio Forcione: "A major international guitar virtuoso …Remarkable personal magnetism" JAZZFM – www.antonioforcione.com
Seckou Keita: "The Hendrix of the Kora" MUSIC NEWS – www.seckoukeita.com
Adriano Adewale: "A whole percussion orchestra by himself" British Theatre Guide – www.adrianoadewale.co.uk
★★★★ AKA Trio review from the Scotsman
Assembling a collective of international musical ideas, these three musical masters have beautifully captured a concoction of world music. Each equally skilled with a supreme knowledge of music, Forcione, Keita and Adewale allow their intricate fast running melodies to weave together and drive the music forward in a beautiful chase. Audiences are guaranteed a powerful and dynamic show of wit, personality and musical virtuosity.
By Jim Gilchrist
Published: 18/8/2011
AKA Trio. Seckou Keita, Antonio Forcione, Adriano Adewale in London 3 dates only
December 7th, 2011Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho
Sunday 11th December 1.30pm AND 8.00pm, Monday 12th 8.30pm
http://pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/jazzList.aspx
Due to the sold out popularity of the last London shows, here's another chance to catch them before the year is out. Tickets are selling fast!
AKA TRIO
Antonio Forcione – Adriano Adewale – Seckou Keita
When three world-renowned virtuosos unite, everyone has something to say.
"A one-off musical sensation. Unmissable"
The Scotsman
"Passion Grace and Fire"
The Times
"Breathtaking finger-work & musicianship”
New Statesman (Seckou Keita)
Asere project at Musicport 2011
December 1st, 2011Asere were pleased to be invited by Musicport and Music4U to work with students from Headlands school in Bridlington for three days and perform with them at the festival. Catch a glimpse with the film footage and photos here
SECKOU KEITA TO PERFORM AT TED GENEVA
November 23rd, 2011
Seckou Keita @ TEDxRC2
27th November 2011
Seckou will be one of the contributors at the Geneva conference discussing what can be done to multiply the power of humanity.
On Sunday 27 November, around 500 guests, including international and Swiss diplomats, local officials, the heads of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, corporate and financial leaders, academics, journalists, health professionals, volunteers, museum curators, scientists, economists and other 'doers and thinkers' will be invited to take part in a very special TEDx experience at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. The European Director of TED, Bruno Giussani, will be the host and master of ceremonies. The event is being jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Each of the speakers will share their unique thoughts and insights into what can be done to multiply the power of humanity. Afterwards, the Geneva guests will be invited to continue the conversation during a cocktail in the reception hall of the BFM – one of Geneva's most beautiful and historic buildings.
The main event will be webcast live to groups of people across the globe and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, who want to share in this unique experience.
you can watch the speeches and music live at:
http://www.ted.com/tedx/events/2400
