“Que N’ai Je” by Keren Ann
My relationship with Keren Ann is what the French would refer to as a “Coup de foudre”. Translated literally, it means “lightning strike”, but in this context it stands for “love at first sight” (or maybe at first “sound” in this case). I was introduced to her this morning (seriously… just 3 hours ago) in the most random and sudden of fashions. I’m on MSN chatting with a friend and out of nowhere: “ I got some music for you…check this out”. Of course I checked it out and………..here I am, falling for yet another cute French singer….lol.
“Que n’ai je” begins with a solitary bassline accompanied by a flurry of hi-hats before the lead guitar creeps in and Keren Ann’s vocals the grab the spotlight for good. Her voice is incredible, her melodies warm and her style seems devoid of any superficiality. It’s really no wonder that her whispers have had me entranced all morning….
Frantz…thanks for the pass. You know I don’t miss “one on ones”…lol.
Title: Que n’ai je
Artist: Keren Ann
Album: Nolita, 2004
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“Samba Da Bencao” by Bebel Gilberto
With “Samba Da Bencao”, Bebel gives us another gem that is best consumed with a smile on your face, on a summer day…sort of like today. 31 degrees in Sydney, and not a cloud in sight on this beautiful “Australia Day”.
In the song, Bebel refers to an interesting aspect of “Samba”: the fact that the music always evokes a hint of nostalgia, regardless of its subject matter. I’ve noticed this with most Brazilian music, especially Bossanova and I think this is what gives it that “classic” feeling….. that depth.
“Fazer samba nao e contar piada, E quem faz samba assim nao e de nada, O bom samba e uma forma de oracao, Porque o samba e a tristeza que balanca, E a tristeza tem sempre uma esperanca, De um dia nao ser mais triste nao”
Roughly translates to
“To make a samba is not like telling a joke
And who makes samba like this is worth nothing, The good samba is a kind of prayer
Because samba is the sadness that sways, And sadness is always hopeful
Of one day not being sad anymore”
Enjoy…
Title: Samba Da Bencao
Artist: Bebel Gilberto,
Album: Tanto Tempo
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Loading ...Gold Display in “Artisanat” – Bamako
This is a picture I took in a small jewelry store that’s located in Bamako’s Arts center (“Artisanat”). It is worth noting that Mali is Africa’s third largest gold producer with over 50 tonnes mined per annum. Like most mineral-rich African countries, the question remains: ” How do we translate the wealth generated from activities in the mining sector into a catalyst for meaningful and sustainable development?”….
* Click on picture for highest quality image.
“Feeling U, Feeling Me” by Alicia Keys
From time to time, we come across a moment that makes us realize that little else matters other than the fact that we’re here, now, together,
A moment untainted by motives or agendas,
A moment of absolute truth in which words are superfluous,
So we just sit there silently, staring in the same direction,
Drowned in this feeling of ……..”Us”
Ss.
Title: Feeling U, Feeling me
Artist: Alicia Keys
Album: The Diary of Alicia Keys, 2003
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Loading ...“Exhibit A” by Jay Electronica
Jay Electronica isn’t really your typical MC moniker. The first time I heard the name, it sounded more to me like another alias for Jay Kay (the band leader of the British pop/electronic group Jamiroquai). A relatively “new” MC (at least in terms of popularity), he has caught the attention of the hiphop world due to his very original approach to the art form. As a producer his approach often involves sampling and reworking movie scores and often produces tracks without any drums (check out Nas’ “Queens Get The Money” from his last album “UNTITLED”). Although his work as a producer is very promising, it was Jay Electronica “The MC” that really caught my attention.
“Exhibit A” absolutely blew my mind when I first came across it. Just Blaze is at his absolute best as he provides the ominous backdrop to Jay’s lyrical exhibition. No offense to Mr Electronica, but his verses sound like they were written by a combination of Nas, Killah Priest and Black Thought…during their prime. Come to think of it…..That’s quite a compliment.
“I spit that wonder rhymer shit, Me and my conglomerates, Shall remain anonymous
Caught up in that finer shit, Get that type of media coverage Obama get
Spit that Kurt Vonnegut, That blow your brain Kurt Cobain that Nirvana shit
Who gon’ bring the game back? Who gon’ spit that ramo on the train tracks?
That gold rope, that five-finger ring rap, Runnin’ with my same pack
You can find the Christ where the lepers and the lames at
Life is like a dice game, One roll could land you in jail or cuttin’ cake
Blowin’ kisses in the rice rain, Nice whip, nice chain, the closet of skulls
The stench is like slave blood in Providence Hall, Yeah they built my city on top of a grave
Nigga die, nigga get high and watch the parade,
Back in the early 90s: “Where they at? Where they at? Get the gat! Get the gat!” was a popular phrase
Bally animals and rugbies was a popular craze, This the vivid memoirs of a Obnoxious slave
I pave ways like Nat and Harriet, I’ll blast on Judas Iscariot and peel off in a chariot
I’m sittin’ pretty, spittin’ flames, grippin’ the grain, Ain’t a damn thing changed…
wow…
Title: Exhibit A
Artist: Jay Electronica
Album: Exhibit A – Single, 2009
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Ssidy is what my friends call me. I was born in Senegal of Malian parents (hence my Mali nationality). I grew up all over the place…Bamako, London, Accra, Cape Town, before I went to college in Miami and finally got a job in Sydney where I’ve been living since August 2008.
When I’m not working on The Timbuktu Project, or as a financial analyst (full-time), you can usually catch me somewhere on a football pitch or involved in anything music related. Music is everything to me. Whatever mood I am in, there is always a song that captures the moment perfectly. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes around me will probably attest to this: I listen to all types of stuff.....possibly because no single genre holds enough songs to quench that musical thirst of mine... 