Playlist 101

Playlist 102

Here’s is some more information on the Rhythm &Spoken playlist i.e the music played before and after performances

To Go Forward

You may have heard her single closer or first love. Goapele (pronounced gwa-play) actually has Kenyan roots. Well, not exactly, her father Douglas Mohlabane a South African exile met and married her mother Noa a jewish student in Nairobi, Kenya. Her name means to go forward in South African language Tswana.

The couple then relocated to the US where Goapele and her brother were born. A gifted child, Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School where she sung in the school choir, joined a music group called Vocal motion and became actively involved in organisations that fought racism and sexism. The activism bug bit her early and to this day Goapele remains involved in social awareness.

Goapele attended the Berklee School of music when she graduated from high school. Her first album the Even Closer is a mixture of RnB and jazz and features gems like Closer, Ease your mind, Too much the same.

“With my music, I’m telling my own story. I’m expressing my own view. I want for people to not feel like they’re alone. I want people to reflect on their own lives and think about the things that they want and figure out how to obtain them. Also for people that aren’t satisfied with what they see around them and in their communities, I hope it motivates them to start taking small steps to change those things.” – Goapele,

For more on Goapele visit http://www.goapele.com

Corneille

Rwandan roots and an international upbringing mark Corneille Nyungura who was born in Germany. When he was six years old his family moved back to Rwanda. Corneille described this move as “ going to a place where he belonged” but this feeling was short-lived when in 1994 Rwanda’s President Habyarimana was assassinated. What followed was a horrific massacre that saw 80,000 people killed, among them were Corneille’s parents and relatives. He managed to escape with his life, living first in Kinshasa then Germany where some family friends took him in.

“For a good ten years after the genocide,” he says, “I lived in a great deal of denial. But I managed not to get too bitter because I had parents who always made me feel special. It’s a sort of pain that you can have closure with. I know I’m not going to be able to talk to my family ever again, but they left me with memories filled with such love that I don’t have that much anger.” He lived in Germany for three yeas before moving to Montreal where he released his first album Parce Qu’on Vient de Loin. Though not initially a hit in Canada, the album was an overnight success in France and this prompted it’s re-release in Canada where it eventually went platinum.
Corneille, who has recorded with Yossou N’Dour, is a goodwill ambassador as well spokesperson for Red Cross. He is latest effort is the The Birth Of Cornelius album which he recorded in English.

More on Corneille visit http://www.corneille.ca

Mstari wa Nne

Previously we have had different poets grace the R&S stage. A group of four such poets have come up with Mstari wa Nne a poetry group. Njeri Wangari, Mike Kwambo, Dennis Inkwa, Grand master Masese and Leon Kiptum make up the talented lot that is Mstari wa Nne.

The name Mstari wa nne, Swahili for fourth line (stanza), was coined at the group’s inception when four poets decided to work together. Group membership has since grown to five, but they have opted to retain the name.

They have individually honed skills at various poetry forums such the Kwani? Open Mic at Club Soundd, WAPI at the British Council and Rhythm and Spoken at the Daas Ethiopian Restaurant.

The group has a vision of diversity in poetry, literary arts, music and culture, making their work quite unique.

Mstari Wa Nne is on a mission. Every piece they do exhibits their passion for poetry, the spoken word and performance; but there is more: they feel that it is the time for performance poetry to grab its rightful place in the spotlight that it thoroughly deserves.

They view themselves as all rounders, comfortable writing and performing poetry touching on various topics
The fusion of the five poets working together as Mstari Wa Nne makes you realise that this is one immensely talented group whose star is constantly on the rise.

They feed their creative souls from a variety of sources: music, poetry,literature as well as the day to day issues in life.
Mstari Wa Nne’s biggest wish is to impact their audiences. “We want the audience to feel that they got something new with a positive and energetic message. They should also feel like they had fun.”

WEBSITES:

Official Blog: http://www.mstariwanne.blogspot.com

Official Fan Page: http://www.myspace.com/mstariwanne

Featured performer – Maia Von Lekow

Maia Von Lekow sat on the high stool, smiled at Kato Change who was sitting a foot away with his guitar and strummed a note on her guitar, Kato follows suit. She has this thick dark hair and is dressed in an unassuming top and long skirt, her well worn flats look comfortable and light.

She opened her mouth to sing and the room fell silent. Her voice is pure and, it certainly feels like a privilege to be sitting and listening to it live. The words to her songs are dreamy yet at the same time accessible she sings of Oysters, Bata Bullets, mosquitoes…her subjects are sometimes funny and sometimes sad but everyone in the room can relate to what she is saying. Later in the night one of the audience members approaches me and tells me with gleaming eyes he hasn’t heard anything like that in a long time and I concur.

This December 19th we will feature among other artistes the Kenyan born Maia accompanied by Kato at the Rhythm And Spoken 2008 finale. Maia has numerous gigs lined up for the festive season and as we speak she will be heading out to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Few are the times the sound of music gives you cause for pause but the type strummed by this two talented individuals definitely will.

Kato Change

As the leading guitarist, Kato is one of Kenya’s most promising guitarists and also plays with Rock band UETA. Born into a musical family Kato has been musically prolific since the age of three, tapping on drums, experimenting with harmonicas and ultimately teaching himslef the guitar. Kato’s style is reminscent of George Benson and Paco De Lucia but with his own original twist.

For more on Maia visit: http://www.myspace.com/maiavonlekow

Music sample from a South African/Canadian theatre production, Crossroads, that raises awareness in Africa on issues of rape, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS: http://www.cmfd.org/cmfdaudio/CrossroadsThemeMusic.mp3

Rhythm & Spoken October 10th

Good Music, poetry and some cake…

Last months Rhythm & Spoken was on Moi day but we still got a great turnout. And a cool show with poets Mike Kwambo, Barabara,Obaladan, Njeri,Sol, Cheboi, and Kule among other gracing the stage. Featured singer Della aka Adel did a great job with her soon to be hit Nairobi.

Della Belts it out

We also got perfomances from upcoming afrosoul singer Stan and past featured bands Elani and Aziza. Her are some pictures from those events. The neo-soul selection was ofcourse on point. One of Elani’s vocalists had a surprise arranged for her by her sister who presented her with her birthday cake after her perfomance.

Barabara the French/Fans of R&S

Fans at the event

Fans of R&S

Mike Kwambo does his thing.

Mike Kwambo

The one and only Njeri Wangari performs crowd favourite- “Hip hop consumes me like strawberry blues”

And the after party… ok some of it

party over here

Playlist 101

Since we began Rhythm & Spoken early last year we have featured a diverse neo-soul/ raregroove playlist with the recent addition of African music. We usually get inquiries from the audience regarding songs that we play during and after performances. Here are the recent most popular inquiries…

Ayo

Of Nigerian and German heritage, Ayo’s music is the kind that creeps up and envelopes you in warmth. Her videos are even more interesting with African scenes form the 70s or modern day Lagos. www.myspace.com/ayo

Album Review-Ayo

Ayo’s album is an eye opener. Her falsetto and guitar strums seem innocent at first listen but on further inspection reveal a lot on pain, love and laughter. She is playful in Life is real and loving in Only you. A sure hit Help is coming is a hopeful ode to struggle. Life is real is my current favourite, the video is simple but fun, set in Lagos it shows the singer dancing in the streets with children and women and the break down: “”Me I be Ayo ogunmakin fear no foe I am real from head to toe just like my heart and like my soul” always makes me smile.

Asa (pron. Asha)

Nigerian singer whose music has garnered a popular following in Africa and the diaspora. She is without doubt a gifted vocalist whose music can soften even the hardest of souls.

Album review

Asa sings in English, pidgin and a her native Yoruba. Popular songs include Jailer, Bi Banke and Fire on the Mountain. Her self titled debut album is really good, it’s the kind of music to play on a sunny sunday afternoon while enjoying a glass of chilled wine. I have also discovered it reduces road rage.

My current favourite is Subway “I have come from far away/ To see this go down the drain/ I have waited patiently and this is what I get/ Emotionally failing me /My whole wide world is caving in/ I’m not so free to express myself /The woman in me Wo wo wo don’t fade away ” Simply amazing. you can read more on Asa at: http://kenyanpoet.blogspot.com/2008/08/asaasha-lights-fire-on-mountain-at-dass.html

Freshly Ground

Freshly Ground are a South African band whose video – Pot belly, caught my eye. They are creative in a way that is very subtle and their music is self assured and fresh. It still has the tell-tell South African rhythms but their amazing fusion of african drums guiter, jazz, pop and dance offset by lead singer Zo’s distinct voice really sets them apart. Albums Ma Cherie, Nomvula and Jik Jika are must have cds for Afro-soul/folk lovers.

Album review-Ma Cherie

This is my current favourite of all their albums. I am biased because it contains Pot belly of course. Its thoughtful, fun and kind of sexy in its on home grown, Freshly Ground way.

Baby Tonight is a nice mid tempo track with echoes of Paul Simon. Fired up is the coolest. I am still absorbing this album but I must assure you it does not disappoint. Check them out on http://www.freshlyground.com/

News

Introducing Afro soul

The rich diversity of music and language found in Africa is often pushed to the background.

For this reason, Afro soul has been introduced into the mix of our poetry and open-mic evenings. With the Afto soul band Aziza setting the pace with their acoustic inspired Swahili lyrics.

Get ready for a serving of smooth ear candy with Afrosoul and Neosoul music from the DJs booth. For a sampling on what will be playing through the speakers check out http://www.myspace.com/ayo.

Still jamming on second Fridays

This is to inform musicians, poets and fans that R&S poetry and open mic has since moved from third Fridays of every month to second Fridays in keeping with the Dass itinerary for the year 2008.

Dass Ethiopian Restaurant

Dass Ethiopian restaurant serves up the best of Ethiopian cuisine in Westland’s. The Restaurant is also the venue of Rhythm and Spoken.

Rhythm & Spoken is the music,poetry and open mic night every second Friday. If you are a poet or musician don’t hesitate to sign up. The mic awaits you.

listening is an art

An artistes journey

A big thank you is in order to all the musicians, storytellers and poets who have ever walked this way and showcased their words and moods at R&S. The success of the night would not be possible without you. Thank you.

Watch this space

We are committed to providing the best in alternative events. There is a lot more in store and we hope you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and take this journey with us. Peace & Blessings