In honour of
Toumani Diabaté
Jarabi (with Sidiki Djabaté)
Toumani Diabaté, descendent of a family of griots, passed away on 19 July, but his music will live on in by his son Sidiki, who inherited his father’s talent. As a master kora player, Toumani Diabaté was known well beyond his native Mali. He promoted traditional African music as well as engaging in a series of cross-cultural collaborations in the fields of jazz, blues, rock, and flamenco, among others. Born in Bamako in 1924, he recorded his first album in 1970. His partnerships with Damon Albarn and Bjork introduced him to a large audience, resulting in invitations to many concerts and festivals all over the world.
Noise Chamber
Alex Izenberg & The Exiles
Drinking the Dusk Away
Angeleno Alex Izenberg’s music and band mates have a laid-back feeling to them. Definitely psychedelic country-rock but different from before. Eccentric folk pop?. “At the heart of his songs are bold ideas that take inspiration from the heady musings of philosopher Alan Watts, the multi-layered storytelling of King Crimson, and the imagistic vistas of Fleet Foxes.” (Domino) More about Alex.
Weird World
Chappell Roan
Tiny Desk Concert
The American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan hails from Missouri and carries a Swiss birth name. She is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (born February 19, 1998) who uplaoded her first song at age 17 and was signed to Atlantic Records soon thereafter. Her Label dropped five years later, when she began to come into her own. She often enhances her songs with theatrical performances. By now, she’s welcome to the largest stages. She’s funny and doesn’t mince words in her. Meantime Chappell Roan had built a solid fanbase in glitter and pink reminiscent of another superstar.
NPR
Karen O & Danger Mouse
Lux Prima
Karen Lee Orzlolek, a Korean-born American singer (born 22 November 1978) specializes in “Indie Rock lullabys.” “At times, the results are sublime. ‘Lux Prima’, the opening track, arrives on a swell of drums and synth harmonies then glides out on a wash of beatific chord changes. ‘Redeemer’ carries the theatrical tang of spaghetti Westerns, and ‘Nox Lumina’ closes the album in the fug of soured summer of love vibes. The album’s sound is sparse, allowing the listener to savor the interaction between elements. It helps that Karen O is in immaculate voice throughout.” (Pitchfork)
Cult Records
Wet Leg
Chaise Longue
White. Founded by 2019 by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers. They debuted with the single “Chaise Longue” in 2021. Punky, irrevent, high energy and highly entertaining, they were honoured by two Grammy Awards, handed them for the Best Alternative Music Performance for their track “Chaise Longue” and for Best Alternative Music Album, for their self-titled 2022 debut. Rhian and Hester met at the Isle Of Wight College and became fast friends.
Domino Records