Rattletree Marimba is a Zimbabwean style marimba band based in Austin, Texas. They play high-energy dance and trance music that is guaranteed to get the dance floor moving from the first song!
Rattletree is quickly making it's mark in the music scene in Austin ,TX-the "live music capitol of the World". Playing over 100 shows in 2007 alone, they have played the stage at some of Austin's biggest music festivals, including SXSW, First Night, Eeyores Birthday, Bob Marley Fest, and Pecan St. Fair. Rattletree has been featured in The Austin Chronicle, Austin Daze, and Austin Music Magazine.
Genre: RhumbaSoukousNdomboloMerengue WebSite Ricardo Lemvo has established himself as a pioneer with his innovative music, combining Latin and African elements from salsa to soukous with an occasional merengue or Afro-Portuguese excursion. This Congo-born artist of Angolan ancestry is the embodiment of the Afro-Latin Diaspora which connects back to Mother Africa via the Cuban clave rhythm. Lemvo is truly multi-cultural and equally at home singing in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Lingala, and Kikongo.
Genre: Traditional WebSite To millions of his followers in South Africa, on the African continent and around the rest of the world, he is simply known as Ringo - and to them there is only one Ringo.
He burst on to the scene during the Shell Road to Fame contest with his friends and fellow band members, Peto, back in 1986. Today he has proved to be a constant crowd-puller at concerts around the country, who remains a firm favourite with his fans.
After Peto, Ringo started a band called Gecko Moon with Alan Cameron, a fellow Peto member. The band had a hit with Green-Green, a crossover track that was well received.
Genre: African Gospel The Charambas & Fishers Of Men The gospel legendary singer Pastor Charles Charamba who rose to stardom with his original compositions that weave social commentary and spiritual redemption makes a United States debut tour with his wife and fellow singer Olivia. His vocal style that is supported by indigenous rhythms can make you rise on your feet to dance the night away yet the lyrics provoke spiritual reflection that leaves you yearning for more. Pastor Charamba's first album introduced his work to the world but his next album John 3 V 16 literally rocked audiences both in religious and secular communities. The meteoric success of this bestselling album defined Charamba as an appealing singer whose voice blends tenor and alto falsetto and from that point he never looked back. In 2004 he brought another gift to the world in the form of Chapters and Verses, an album that disappeared from the shelves at the pace it was stocked. Within four weeks the album had sold in excess of 100 000 copies. His catalogue touches on issues that range from spiritual redemption to social issues such as the importance of marriage and fidelity in preventing HIV/AIDS.
Genre: Reggae WebSite The Melodians are one of Jamaica's greatest Rocksteady groups, cutting a series of classic singles during the late '60s and early '70s that included the internationally famed "Rivers of Babylon" and "Sweet Sensation." In 1966, when driving rhythms of ska were abandoned in favor of the slower, more soulful Rocksteady, Jamaican performers discovered a freedom of expression they had previously been denied. In overcoming the limitations of ska the dawn of the Rocksteady age begun. .A few groups rose to notoriety with none more popular than The Melodians.
Genre: Traditional WebSite ”Chimurenga,” the Shona word Mapfumo has adopted to refer to his work, means “struggle,” and it's as accurate as any to describe his socially and politically conscious music. But it also masks the joy and celebration inherent in his swaying choruses, lilting rhythms, and hip-moving grooves. You don't have to struggle one bit to get into this stuff.
"Vieux Farka Touré's beautifully realized debut recording both honors and extends the life work of his father, Ali Farka Touré: to explore and promote the rich music of Mali's desert north." -Banning Eyre (Senior Editor, Afropop Worldwide) Modiba is proud to present Vieux Farka Touré: the self-titled worldwide debut by the son of and successor to the late international superstar and two-time Grammy Award-winner Ali Farka Touré.
“VOICE OF AFRICA” is an upbeat inspirational musical ensemble comprised of 16 members from different African countries, with a mission of ONE VOICE and ONE VISION. This group is truly reflective of the diversity within the African culture. Their common bond is musical talent and a passion to serve God through song.
Genre: Traditional WebSite Born in a Pretoria, South Africa, Vusi Mahlasela spent his childhood in the township of Mamelodi, where he grew up listening to the elderly men of his community singing traditional African songs. After teaching himself to play the guitar, he earned notice as a gifted singer and songwriter. Mahlasela's powerful lyrics and beautiful melodies have made him a leading figure in contemporary South African music.
