Friday, February 22, 2013

Fortuna & The Benedictine Monks

Photo: Daniel Danielewicz
(Tr: Good week
Artist: Fortuna
Country: Brazil
Genre: World
Language: Spanish
Video: Buena Semana on Youtube
Album: Cælestia (2001)

In this uplifting song, Brazilian-Jewish singer Fortuna's vocals are accompanied by a choir consisting of Benedictine Monks from the Saint Benedict Monastery of São Paulo, Brazil. For those not familiar with her works I recommend getting hold of her latest album, a collection of some of her best songs from 1993 onwards; "15 anos". She is still very much an undiscovered gem, although her native Brazil has embraced her with open arms.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Two Giants: Roumi & N'Dour



Song: Biladi Ana/Les amis du monde (Click to listen)
(Tr: My country/Friends of the world
Country: Lebanon & Senegal
Genre: Collaboration
Language: Arabic & French
Video: Live performance 2009
Album: Ghazal (2012)

Purchase the song on iTunes

In this beautiful collaboration between two highly respected artists, soprano Majida El Roumi and the Griot (story teller) now Minister of Tourism & Culture in Senegal, Youssou N'Dour, our common humanity is celebrated. We are friends of this world. The message in the song is amplified by the intercontinental and  interreligious aspect of the collaboration, Roumi a Lebanese Christian and Youssou a Senegalese Muslim. 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Aik Alif & Coke Studio Pakistan



Song: 
Aik Alif (Click to listen)
Artist: Saeen Zahoor & Noori

Country: Pakistan

Genre: Fusion Pop & Traditional

Language: Punjabi
Instrument: Ektara 


Purchase the song on iTunes

Coke Studio Pakistan is an amazing musical project that started in Pakistan in 2008. The concept was borrowed from Brazil but adapted and re-designed in Pakistan providing the viewer with an intimate studio like session between musicians of very different backgrounds collaborating on one song. The show became so popular internationally, particularly in neighboring India, that and indian version launched in 2011 followed by a Middle-Eastern one in 2012; Coke Studio Bel3arabi.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Lita På Mig



Song: 
Lita på mig (Tr: Trust me) (Click to listen)
Country: Sweden & Senegal
Genre: Fusion

Language: Swedish and Woloff
Instrument: Coura


Purchase the song on E-Music

Saturday, January 26, 2013


Song: Firewalker's Dance (Click to listen)


Country: Greece & Armenia
Genre: Oriental
Language: Instrumental
Instrument: Oud


Purchase the song on Amazon

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Theme: Tradition & Culture



Song:
Sheloha Shala (Yalla Yalla)
Artist: Miami Band
Country: Kuwait
Language: Arabic

View pictures on the theme Tradition & Culture (from www.globalthemes.org)

Official website in Arabic