Jasdeep Singh Degun makes history at Royal Philharmonic Society Awards
The Leeds-based musician was the first sitar player to receive the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
Fri, 08 March 24
Tama
Most bands, whether in the western rock tradition or in African music, are built around the concept of a leader - one strong character who is the main writer, singer and spokesman and who dominates proceedings so that the other band members are little more than hired guns.
The beauty of Tama is that there is no single leader but four equally accomplished musicians and songwriters with their own contrasting but complimentary voices. “As a group it’s totally democratic and open,” explains guitarist Sam Mills.
"Tama is a kind of space where the four of us can come together from different cultures and traditions and express ourselves." Sam Mills
“Tama is a kind of space where the four of us can come together from different cultures and traditions and express ourselves. It’s a band of distinctive individual personalities but everybody contributes to the realisation of each other’s songs.”
As the name ‘Tama’ (a Bambara word meaning ‘to walk’) suggests, the band’s approach was to collect years of travelling memories rather than trying to represent or revive a traditional folklore.
Releases
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Nostalgie
Songs of the migrant, of lands visited and departed. Rich vocals and infectious grooves - an outstanding modern Afro-European set featuring Tom Diakite, Sam Mills and Djanuno Dabo.
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Espace
Tama brings together three extraordinary singer-songwriters based in Paris with one maverick Londoner: Tom Diakite and Mamani Keita from Mali; Djanuno Dabo from Guinea; and guitarist Sam Mills. An album of beautiful songs, deep grooves and rich instrumentation that will make your heart melt and your pulse speed.
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Spirit of Africa
Various Artists
A celebration of the great resilience and creativity of the people of Africa. In the face of the ravages of AIDS, the powerful and beautiful music recorded here is the expression of this indomitable spirit.
Further reading
John Metcalfe’s Tree in Dolby Atmos
With these new 360˚ mixes Metcalfe’s initial intentions for the album are, finally, truly deliver...
Fri, 02 February 24
10 years of resistance: Les Amazones d’Afrique’s fight continues on Musow Danse
Righteous anger has never felt so warm and convincing. Or so goddam danceable.
Thu, 15 February 24
Sheila Chandra: The pursuit of radical vocal expression
Sheila's trilogy of albums for Real World is being re-issued on CD, and on vinyl for the first time.
Fri, 28 April 23