The Blind Boys of Alabama to receive Liftetime Acheivement Award from Americana Music Association
The cermony takes place on 18 September at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
Wed, 03 July 24
Musicians of the Nile
Originating from the furthest reaches of Upper Egypt, the Musicians of the Nile have criss-crossed Europe over the last few decades. Like the ancient bards of time past, the difference is that they move through space and cultures as comfortably on an airplane as on the back of a donkey.
Discovered in 1975 by Alain Weber, who has been their artistic director ever since, the Musicians of the Nile is a group whose talent has always included some of the greatest figures of the Upper Egyptian tradition – among them, Metqal Qenawi Metqal, Shamandi Tewfiq Metqal and Muhammed Murad Mejali, all three of them members of the famous Mataqil clan of musicians.
Well before the world music wave, the Musicians of the Nile were the first so-called ‘Arab Music’ group to attain widespread popularity. Frequently imitated and sometimes plagiarised, the Musicians of the Nile have kept up with the parallel currents in music ever since the Chateauvallon Festival in 1975, where they met some of the greatest jazz musicians of the time, including Sun Ra and Keith Jarrett.
They were a part of the first WOMAD festival in 1983, which brought world music to international attention. Their recording for the music of Martin Scorsese’s Last Temptation of Christ and its soundtrack album Passion brought them to the attention of Peter Gabriel and Real World Records.
The film Latcho Drom, directed by Tony Gatlif, which traces the great musical voyage of the Gypsies from India to Spain, has made even more listeners aware that the Musicians of the Nile are a part of the Gypsy tradition.
Releases
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Charcoal Gypsies
From the furthest reaches of Upper-Egypt to new spaces and cultures, The Musicians of the Nile return with powerful songs deep in tradition and spontaneity.
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Luxor to Isna
From the depth of Upper Egypt, the players of the village, the nomads of celebration - The Musician of the Nile - now perform in the spaces and cultures of the West. They are professionals of pleasure possessing a very particular ethnic identity, re-living their traditions with pride and effervescence.
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Passion Sources
Various Artists
Whilst recording for his 1989 album Passion, Peter Gabriel worked with many international musicians. Some recorded at Real World Studios, some on the film’s location in North Africa, and others were sought out from past archives. Passion Sources gives us scope to hear more from these musicians in their own right.
Further reading
The Zawose Queens from Tanzanian musical dynasty announce debut album Maisha
The Zawose Queens, Pendo and Leah, are the daughter and grand-daughter of the late Dr. Hukwe Zawose.
Wed, 20 March 24
Track of the day: ‘IWAIWA FUNK’ by Bab L’ Bluz
French-Moroccan power quartet Bab L' Bluz, release the third track from their album Swaken.
Fri, 05 April 24
Real World Sessions: Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell, 5 December 2023
New folk duo Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell visited the studio to record a new EP for Real World X.
Tue, 05 March 24