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THE HIGH LLAMAS
U.K. art-pop clan The High Llamas
is captained by Sean O’Hagan, with
co-pilots Rob Allum, Marcus Holdaway, Jon Fell, Pete Aves and Dominic
Murcott. Founded in the early ’90s,
the band — in between the raindrops
of time — has released more than a
dozen projects to date. Collaborations
include Super Furry Animals, Tim Gane
(Stereolab), John Bennett and The
Heavy Blinkers. Their music evokes the
everchanging flavors of Violet Beauregarde’s Wonka gum. Discover The High
Llamas with “Fly Baby Fly,” from their
2011 release Talahomi Way.
BUY: iTunes
GENRE: Pop
ARTIST: The High Llamas
SONG: Fly Baby Fly
ALBUM: Talahomi Way
MUSIC
HUFFINGTON
03.09.14
BASSEKOU
THE ELECTED
KOUYATE & NGONI BA
Ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate
was born in Garana, Mali, beside the
Niger River. Raised in a musical home,
Bassekou set off for the capital city
of Bamanko in his late teens and
soon after was playing with Toumani
Diabaté. After various collaborations, Kouyate founded his Ngoni
Ba ensemble. Among its members
are Kouyate’s wife Amy Sacko (vocals), Omar Barou Kouyate (ngoni),
Fousseyni Kouyate (ngoni), and
Moussa Bah (bass ngoni). The group
elegantly fuses its griot roots with
American resonance. In 2013, Kouyate & Co. played the British Proms
and released their third full-length.
Collaborations include Kasse Mady
Diabaté, Kélétigui Diabaté, Bonnie
Raitt, Bono, Ali Farka Touré, Taj Mahal, Béla Fleck and Carlos Santana.
Discover “Ladon,” from Bassekou
Kouyate & Ngoni Ba’s 2009 project
I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version).
BUY: iTunes
GENRE: World
ARTIST: Bassekou Kouyate
& Ngoni Ba
SONG: Ladon
ALBUM: I Speak Fula
(Bonus Track Version)
SoCal alt-pop unit The Elected is the
brainchild of San Diego native guitarist/songwriter Blake Sennett (of
Rilo Kiley distinction and also behind
Night Terrors of 1927 with Jarrod
Gorbel). A revolving cast, including
drummer Jason Boesel and multiinstrumentalist Mike Bloom, rounds
out the lineup. Founded in the early
aughts, The Elected has issued three
releases to date, the latest with
6V