"The Young Lioness of Africa" Releases Debut Album

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=179532

Wiyaala, the young lioness, leads the pride towards peace and unity with her new self-titled album, out worldwide on November 24th.

Following success with her singles "Make Me Dance", "Rock My Body", "Africa", and the World Cup anthem "Go Go Black Stars..Goal!", Wiyaala announces her self-titled album. The new LP, "Wiyaala", is distributed on the Djimba World Records label under exclusive license to JTV Digital. It is officially released worldwide on November 24th through all major digital retailers: http://wiyaala.lnk.to/lp

The album, sung in a mix of English and local tribal dialects of Sissali and Wale is an update on the "clash of civilizations" between the cultural traditions, social order and practices of West Africa and the impact of the "West". Wiyaala does not seek confrontation. She has a positive message.

In the songs Siiko, Bunsun and Sun & Moon, Wiyaala gently chides, that in the haste to acquire the benefits of the digital life, her people should not forget their roots: "Come, lets go back! Embrace the things we left behind, and add them to what we have now."


ABOUT WIYAALA:
Wiyaala, from the Upper West of Ghana, is a personification of modern Africa: creative, brave, strong and beautiful. Her name, literally translates to "the doer" in Sissala, her tribal language and perfectly describes her approach to life. Frequently compared to Angelique Kidjo and Grace Jones, Wiyaala’s music is truly Afro-Pop fusing her African roots with contemporary world Pop music.

Wiyaala has four nominations at the 2014 All Africa Music Awards (AFIMA), Revelation of the African Continent, Best Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall Song for Rock My Body, Best Female Artist West Africa and Most Promising African Artist of the Continent. The ceremony is expected to take place in Lagos in December.


LINKS:
• http://wiyaala.lnk.to/lp
• http://wiyaala.com
• http://www.facebook.com/wiyaala
• http://www.youtube.com/noellawiyaala
• http://twitter.com/wiyaala

To celebrate Noël À l’Africaine (Christmas In Africa's way)!

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=179462

Herléo Muntu announces the release of a new single for the holidays.

In studio for a new album in 2015, Herléo Muntu launches Noël À l’Africaine. A digital title for the holiday season.

Festive and joyful, Noël À l’Africaine is ideal for family gatherings year-end.

Written and performed by the artist, Muntu Herléo offers us a song with Hip-Pop World accents, as he likes to say. He invites us this year, through his song, to travel and celebrate Christmas in the African's way!

__________________________

Since the launch of his album Reflexions in 2013, Muntu Herléo toured Ontario-Quebec, two African tours and two shows in France and Belgium. www.herleo.com


Writer/Author : Raymond Kashiba
ISRC : CA2P91400001
UPC: 889211185481
Genre: World (African)
Label: Groupe Grio

Pop Artist Anouschka's New Album Released To Benefit Wildlife Conservation In Africa

Website: http://www.anouschka.net
Music: http://www.myspace.com/anouschkatunes

Pop/Rock singer/songwriter Anouschka released her latest EP, "So Why?" on June 4, 2010. All proceeds from the EP's sales will finance the artist's goodwill mission to Africa to study as a Game Ranger/work with wildlife conservation over the next two months. The album features the songs "One Of The Finer Days," "Silently," the title track "So Why?" and "Lust" (which includes an alternative version that Anouschka says "can only be described as "a performance by my alter ego Lay dee Berlin".

"So Why?" is indeed a work that is close to Anouschka's heart, as she conceptualized and completed the entire project herself from writing and performing the music to designing the very unique cover art. Although she also produced the album, she acknowledged that it could not have been done without Harris Johns, the renowned audio recording engineer who worked with trash metal bands, in whose Berlin studio the album was recorded. Johns is widely known for his work with popular trash metal bands such as Halloween, Coroner, Tankard, Sodom, Volvod, Creator, and others.

Anouschka's second EP, "My Kind Of Heartbreak," was listed on the Americana charts for two months, earning rave reviews from the likes of M. Hillbom, Musikcritic (Musiklivet, Sweden), who noted "Eclectic and very good Americana... She has been compared to Rickie Lee Jones, Jewel, and Phoebe Snow. My girlfriend is reminded of Carole King and Buffy Sainte-Marie while I hear a little Lucinda Williams. The music is eclectic. Jazz, country, rock and blues are mixed in an extremely competent manner".

Despite critical acclaim for her previous releases, Anouschka is certain that "So Why?" is even better. "I've always written and produced my own albums, so there's nothing new about that, but this is the first time that I've been able to digitally record the vocals. The songwriting is a top notch balance of orchestration, musical composition and lyrics. I wear a lot of different hats to get to the finish line, but I'm managing the give the major labels a run for their money on my own with respect to quality, and that's a great feeling."

Performing in venues like the Stampen Blues Club in Sweden and the Babylon Theatre in Berlin, Anouschka regularly does jam sessions where she can improvise an entire song on the spot- playing, leading, and performing vocals.

"So Why?" was released for global distribution through Berlin, and will soon be available through major online retailers such as iTunes, Amazon.com, eMusic and Napster. It is also available for purchase at the store on Anouschka's website at http://www.anouschka.net/html/store.html.

CONTACT:
Anouschka
Anouschka Records
mail@anouschka.net
www.anouschka.net

LINKS:
www.facebook.com/anouschkatunes
www.airplaydirect.com/anouschka
www.myspace.com/anouschkatunes
www.twitter.com/anouschka1
www.youtube.com/anouschka

MusicDishTV: Rufus Cappadocia - Transformation

Crazy cello master Rufus Cappadocia performs his piece "Transformation" live with dancer Sheila Anozier. Video directed by Jon Fine. www.rufusmusic.com | www.bethanyandrufus.com

"Boy, who knew that afro beats, funk and soul could all come from a cello! But leave it up to the man Rufus Cappadocia to do the honors. If this isn’t eclectic funk then I don’t know what is. Take a good look at the video "Transformation," shot entirely in black and white which gives it a sophisticated look, and you’ll get the idea. First, you see a cellist by himself doing a typical classical solo, alongside a dancer fresh out of an Alvin Ailey dance school interpreting every chord Rufus strikes on queue.

"Here Rufus is sitting in a non-descript chair w/ his ubiquitous cello; all is calm as he plays then mid-way what sounds like an African drum beat chorus is actually coming from tugging and hitting the cello chords in strategic fashion. Right beside him is the dancer that captures the spotlight Shelia Anozier. Shelia is a freestyle dancer of Haitian heritage and here she showcases her unique post-modern African folk dance choreography. This is the perfect amalgamation of European style instrumental and African folk dance." -- Veronica Cole, MusicDishTV

Bethany & Rufus To Join African Music Greats In Mali

Roots music duo Bethany Yarrow & Rufus Cappadocia (Bethany & Rufus) have made the hop across the Atlantic to Bamako, Mali, where they have been invited to perform at the 3rd Edition Daoula Festival on Saturday March 7th from 11:00PM - 3:00AM (Mali time). The Daoula Festival "Rencontres Autour du Cotton (Meeting around Cotton)" is committed to helping raise awareness of the problems faced by the African cotton sector. The festival, now in its third edition, takes place March 6-8 and welcomes artists from all backgrounds, including Bono, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Quincy Jones and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

"It is a tremendous opportunity for us, and we are planning to record, both sonically and visually," noted Bethany Yarrow. "Our journey of singing these old folk songs - most of them African American - back in West Africa, which is, ultimately, their origin."

Bethany & Rufus will be performing alongside some of Africa's greatest musicians, including Kassé Mady Diabaté, Nahawa Doumbia, Toumani Diabaté, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Didier Awadi, Oumou Sangaré and Hadrien Féraud. They will be joined by Hatian Voodoo percussionist Bonga Jean Baptiste and singer and flautist Yacouba Moumouni, leader of jazz-pop-ethnic band Mamar Kassey, one of the few Nigerien musical acts known internationally, and much beloved in their home country.

Prior to their trip to Mali, Bethany was joined by her father Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary) for a memorial concert for Odetta Holmes, known simply as Odetta (December 31, 1930 - December 2, 2008). They were joined on February 24th at New York's Riverside Church by a who's who of people influenced by her - including David Amram, Maya Angelou, Harry Belefonte, Oscar Brand, Tom Chapin, Wavy Gravy, Maria Muldaur, Bernice Reagon, Pete Seeger, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Josh White Jr. and Peter Yarrow, among many others.

Bethany & Rufus with Bonga also gathered on February 21st at Carole Hart's home for a house concert in honor of her deceased husband Bruce Hart. An award-winning television and film producer/writer, Carole Hart is the brainchild behind the "For the Next 7 Generations" movie, whose soundtrack Bethany & Rufus have been collaborating on.

The full-length documentary tells the story of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers from around the globe - the Arctic Circle, North, Central & South America, Asia and Africa - who have come together because they were told in prophecy that their ancestral ways of prayer, peace-making and healing are vitally needed in the world today.

http://www.bethanyandrufus.com
http://youtube.com/bethanyandrufus

Rufus Cappadocia: Solo Cello At Brooklyn's Ink Well

Rufus Cappadocia, one of the leading voices on the cello today, will be performing at Brooklyn's Ink Well as part of PLG Arts Presents Jazz on Thursday, December 11th at 8:00 PM. From the modalities of Middle Eastern, West African and pan-European folk forms to blues, rock and jazz along the way, adding elements American roots, Mediterranean textures, and Caribbean percussion for good measure, Cappadocia's effortless and natural embrace of all music is awe-inspiring.

Rufus Capadocia: PLG Arts Presents Jazz at the Ink Well
Located In Brooklyn (Prospect Lefferts Gardens)
408 Rogers Ave bt. Lefferts & Sterling St.
Q train to Prospect Park, come out the back of the train, go down Lincoln 3 blocks to Rogers, turn left on Rogers.
718-675-6145 or cell 718-926-0091
Doors open at 7:30 PM
$5 Admission -- All proceeds support the performers and PLG Arts.
For more information, contact rina@plgarts.org or visit www.plgarts.org

Rufus Cappadocia has toured throughout the Americas and Europe with numerous groups and is known for his collaborations with artists from all over the world... from the Balkans to the Caribbean, from West Africa to North America. He has toured extensively with Urban Tap and The Paradox Trio. Cappadocia has just finished recording for Pest Records with Badal Roy (who played tabla with Miles Davis) and Barney Mcall (who plays piano with Gary Bartz); a Canadian release with Hugh Marsh (violin) and Bary Romberg (drums); and is currently recording a new project, Vodou Jazz Ensemble with "Bonga" Jean-Baptiste as well as a CD of unaccompanied solo cello.

After years of experimentation and practice Rufus now plays a self designed Five String Electric Cello that extends the bass range of the cello and through amplification expands the tonal possibilities of the instrument. Rufus has made a career of going where few cellists have gone before. He has appeared on CDs with Ross Daly, Kif, David Fiuczynski, The Paradox Trio, Odetta, Michael Blake, and Tamalalou. Rufus has also performed with Kasse Mady, Aretha Franklin, The Black Rock Coalition, Esma, Theodossi Spassoff, Seamus Egan, Eileen Eivers, Cheick-Tidiane Seck, Vernon Reid, and many more.

http://www.rufusmusic.com
http://www.bethanyandrufus.com/

African/Native American Hip Hop Artists Dago Braves Release "Kumeyaay Cool Guyz"

Shulaced Entertainment artists and San Diego's hottest rap twosome, Dago Braves, today announce the release their second album KUMEYAAY COOL GUYZ (Shulaced Entertainment / City Hall) on iTunes, bringing rhymes straight from the Sycuan Reservation to the world. Dago Braves' songs hit every topic of the American life from every aspect. Being both African American and Native American, the duo express the struggles and advantages of being born between races. The music of Dago Braves reflect their life experiences by fusing the original native rhythms of the Kumeyaay Band of Sycuan Indians with the distinct hip hop beats of the San Diego rap scene.

The songs on KUMEYAAY COOL GUYZ hit on every part of cousins Terence "Poodeezy" Brown and Mike "Odoe" Allen, who make up Dago Braves, lives. Tracks like FLY CASINO and IMA BRAVE give Dago Braves' perspective on the pride of the Tribe's success and the celebrity of Casino life amidst the San Diego community. "Everyone has their hustle," says Terence "Poodeezy" Brown, one half of Dago Braves, "the casino is our hustle. It's what's bringing the tribal family back together. Until we had the casino the tribal family was spread in every direction just trying to get by. Now we're together and we're doing alright." Then, songs like TOO SOON get more personal, talking about the trials and tribulations of new relationships and the need to take a step back.

Dago Braves recently won the Native American Music Award for Best Rap Hip Hop Recording for their debut album NATIVE AMERICAN HUSTLE, which was released in 2007. "Having the respect of our community means more to us than anything. It is a huge honor for us and we're so thankful for the acknowledgement," says Mike "Odeo" Allen. Dago Braves worked with local producers including Da Batkave, Grimmie Recs, Steve Vicious and Dave Moss on NATIVE AMERICAN HUSTLE. Podeezy and Odoe want to continue to create music to represent San Diego and the Sycuan proudly, which is why they have again collaborated with San Diego's top talent, including Da Batkave, DJ Rek, J. Elliot Ness and Haze Banger, for KUMEYAAY COOL GUYZ.

Dago Braves are a tight knit and enterprising duo, creating their music family and record label with Sycuan Reservation-based Shulaced Entertainment. Shulaced Entertainment is developing several artists from within and around the Sycuan Reservation and the San Diego area, bringing life and an international voice to their artists' unique perspectives.

Dago Braves have played major shows throughout 2007 and 2008, sharing the stage with rap's biggest names including Baby Bash, Lil' Wayne, N.E.R.D., Pitbull, Tech N9ne, Young Jeezy, and many others. Visit http://myspace.com/shulaced for updated tour information and news.

Kussu Productions Has Invested 2,5 Million Euros In African Music Publishing

African Music Publishing's core competency will be in helping African songwriters, artits, producers in building their repertoire, copyright administration, licensing services, supporting them with marketing, collection and distribution of royalties.

In response to the strong music trend in Africa, especially in the urban muisc scene, professional guidance is needed.

AMP, headquartered in London (UK), plans to open offices in Germany, US and Africa. A full market entry is scheduled for 2009.

About Kussu Productions

Established in 1994, kussu productions® is a music content company with global businesses in music publishing and recorded music, includes artist development, management and music library as specialities.

kussu productions® is home to a collection of active publishing companies such as Murder Riddims Publishing USA, Indie Songs Publishing UK, Indie Songs Publishing Scandinavia, Latin Music Publishing Group USA, Latin Music Publishing Group Europe and Kussu Music Publishing. Independent records labels including Universoul Vibes, Murder Riddims Records, and F!cking Dope Records, Inc.

http://www.kussu-productions.com
http://www.africanmusicpublishing.org