October 1-4
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Bosnia and Herzegovina
Traditional Polyphonic Ganga Singing (5:29) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79H2vuX4yPo&list=PLnOSH5j1sQh_s20iUfLKuRt6a7d9wgixP&index=4) 'Ganga is a dissonant form of singing, using two clashing notes to project sound over long distances. For example, if one person is singing a C note, a second person sings either a half-step above or below (B or C♯). Ganga is traditionally sung by sheepherders across stretches of valleys, for long-distance communication with each other.' This form of singing is a tradition across the Balkan countries.
Emina Islamovic-Jutros mi je ruza procvjetala, "Sav taj sevdah"-This Morning My Rose Bloomed-Sevdalinka Music (4:30) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmzLM-eXit8&list=RDQMSHAexvkVVkE&index=2) Sevdalinka is considered the most identifiable Bosnian music-it is emotional, melancholic folk song.
Plavi Orkestar-Suada (2:57) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ko7ZIj358E) In the 80's there was a vibrant rock scene in Sarajevo. This is a band representative of that. They had 7 albums and toured around the world. The rock is obviously influenced by traditional local folk music. It should be noted that at the time this band was formed Bosnia and Herzegovina were part of Yugoslavia.
Traditional Dance (4:32) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwAx9iGg4Yo&list=PLnOSH5j1sQh_s20iUfLKuRt6a7d9wgixP&index=39) Here is some traditional dance happening in a square in the old part of Sarajevo.
Hari Mata Hari-Lejla-2006 Eurovision 3rd (3:18) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlIN3mcsH4) Bosnia and Herzegovina has not participated in Eurovision in almost 10 years due to financial difficulty and a dispute with the European broadcaster of Eurovision but this was their top finish in 2006.
October 7-11
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Tuvalu
Fatele Dance (5:17) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prxHtyAV3kA) Fatele is a traditional dance in Tuvalu. It is often performed at community events to celebrate distinguished people or visitors.
Fakanau (1:44) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3XcL8theFM) fakauau is a traditional praise song that was once extremely important to Tuvaluan culture.
Te Vaka-Lakalaka (3:23) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ausm7Agez7Q) Te Vaka is an Oceanic music group with members from Tuvalu who perform original 'South Pacific Fusion' music. Their music was apparently the inspiration for Disney's Moana.
Too Mo Ananuu-Tamaika Kobe (5:15) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49nHIwjC6aw) Here's a video showing Tuvalu off post on the Music Tuvalu channel of YouTube.
October 15-18
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Malta
Ghana Music (0:51) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAiLcEgW1fA) In ghana music a guitar plays and the singer improvises-making up the lyrics as he goes. It is apparently quite distinct to Malta. It can also take the form of a competition or duel!
Traditional Instruments and Music (4:07) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B9kd48EuZE&list=PL9PBUEyiTDTP5nKaG0_K6B-QF_fR1avR9&index=14) Here is a promotional video for a set of music festivals. We see several traditional Maltese instruments at the start including Il-Qarn (the horn) and Iz Zaqq (the traditional bagpipes).
Zaqq u Tanbur Folk Group-Zaqq, Tanbur, Zafzafu (1:28) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOfRCSPZSjQ) The film resolution isn't excellent but what attracted me to this was another traditional instrument for Maltese music that I haven't seen before-the Zafzafu or friction drum. It looks like a drum on the right but the player makes the membrane vibrate by driving a stick in and out rather than striking it. Apparently the chuff produced can imitate the sound of a lion.
Aidan-Nanseb Fik (3:27) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wknSQabkBoM) Aidan is a Maltese singer and songwriter who has been involved in a number of contests including Eurovision and Malta Eurovision. He has started to record songs in Maltese. This is his website: https://aidanofficial.com/about-aidan/
October 21-25
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Maldives
Bodubero Dance and Music (6:09) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a00Ac2iFPsU) Bodubero is the traditional music and dance of the Maldives. It probably originated from East Africa in the 11th century. It features 15 or more players with a lead singer, and the tempo gradually increases.
Bulbul tarang (2:35) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlmCUOHPM6g) This is described as a favourite instrument in the Maldives. The bulbul tarang is described as being like a horizontal accordion with a set of strings that create a drone and a set for melody. To me it's kind of accordion and zither-like. The versions I found pictures and film of were electric, so that drone is created by plugging it in, but the original versions must have had a bellows like an accordion.
Tribute to Zero Degree Atoll-Yonder Music All Stars (4:56) (found at https://www.blogger.com/blog/page/edit/3042987487444253881/2114159551575452320). Dhivehi is the language of the Maldives. The Band Zero Degree Atoll with their work tracing ancient folk and art routes in Maldivian music were highly influential. Here is a tribute to them.
Trio Band-Chaaley (5:32) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLJhcUDPpRs) Here is another influential band from the Maldives that performs in Dhivehi.
October 28-November 1
This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Mozambique
Timbila-Chopi people (1:16) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l572XRAjZP0) The Chopi people in the South of Mozambique are well known for their timbilas (singular mobile)-a distinct xylophone. They play in orchestras of up to 30 instruments in different sizes and pitches. This is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Marrabenta Music-Dino Miranda-Marrabenta (3:53) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VKR9WBsmPU) As a Lusophone country Mozambique has exported versions of their music to other countries around the world where they speak Portuguese. Marrabenta is from Mozambique and very popular.
Mr. Bow-Mbilu Ya Mina Yi Happy (4:30) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lDPRpXytD4) Mr. Bow is another huge Marrabenta artist from Mozambique.
Ziqo-Muleza (4:02) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLyZP2V7ffc) Panza Music is the current popular music in Mozambique. From https://www.mixcloud.com/TSC/pandza-mix-mozambique/ I have: "The roots of Pandza originate from Marrabenta but Pandza has a more faster tempo with major influences from Ragga and some Hip Hop. Most of Pandza is mostly song in Portuguese and the Shangaan language from Maputo and its lyrics most of the time, elaborate the social daily lifestyles of young Mozambicans. The most notable Pandza singers in Mozambique today include Rosalia Mboa, Lizha James, Ziqo, Dj Ardiles, MC Roger, and Denny Og." Here, as mentioned in this review, is popular Pandza artist Ziqo.