Rolling Global Outernational Non-West Non-English (Some Exceptions) 2020 Thread (Often African bands)

so it’s probably not so much age-related as geographical

Or maybe both. I see Jon Pareles of NY Times included Burna Boy in his album list, and a Tiwa Savage song in his song list. He has Bad Bunny and Lido Pimienta too. Other Times critics had no African music. NY Times jazz list had 2 South African releases though

LA Times song list I glanced at was largely US pop, rap, country with some token reggaeton

they are some of the exceptions that prove the rule unfortunately (I’ve been moaning about it on the 2020 end of year music lists thread)

I wasn’t clear enough. I agree with you that those are the exceptions.

Los Angeles Times top 10 album list with 10 more honorable mentions includes no African based acts. It does include Los Angeles resident ( via DC area) Kali Uchis new Spanish language release as its one exception to the rule.

this list includes some thread-worthy selections:

https://thevinylfactory.com/features/best-albums-of-2020/

(apart from two Nyege Nyege Tapes releases, I glanced Groupe RTD -
The Dancing Devils of Djibouti at 41, Benin's Star Feminine Band - s/t at 36, and Siti Muharam - Siti of Unguja (Romance Revolution On Zanzibar) at 25)

I finally listened to some of Siti Muharam - Siti of Unguja (Romance Revolution On Zanzibar). Hand slapped percussion with some traditional high-pitched female vocals, some jazzy horns, and high-pitched strings that all together evokes a mid-eastern, north African, and South Asian whirling Islamic feel

Still more to catch up on here and on Afro Thread, dancehall, soca , Brazilian ones too

Majid Bekkas' Magic Spirit Quartet is good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTFoqHJtap8

oh wow, the Siti Muharam albums RULES

X-post - have only heard a little of Moroccan stringed instruments player Bekkas with his Scandanavian based band but I like it so far.

I need to dig through that Ted Gioia critic’s list

Nomcebo Zikode - Xola Moya Wami [Feat. Master KG]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPDyF04DyOQ

wow, what's that language? those qh like aspirations remind me of Greenlandic

it’s Zulu (and she’s South African). the same people made one of the big global hits of this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCZVL_8D048
Master KG ft. Nomcebo Zikode • Jerusalema

excellent, thanks

Skeleton Move is one of my all time faves, but that's light on lyrics (although maybe that first phrase "uaneetamos"? is Zulu)

really like his/their melancholy/inspirational/banger vibe

In fairness, it's very hard to keep up with the ridiculously high volume of great music coming out of South Africa right now.

we’ve got threads for that!

Albums from Ted Gioia list I am curious about (with his little descriptions; artist name is listed on top):

Bab L’ Bluz
Nayda!
If Motown Had Existed in North Africa...

Chouk Bwa & The Ångstromers
Vodou Alé
Haitian Drumming and Singing with Touches of Electronica and Dancehall Music

Contours
Balafon Sketches
Gamelan, Percussion and Traditional Instruments Meet Synthesizers, Software and Pedal Effects

André Mehmari and Danilo Brito
Nosso Brazil
Mandolin and Piano Duet Performances of the Works of Brazilian Choro Composers

Penya (with Msafiri Zawose)
Penya Safari
East African EDM/Call-and-Response Tanzanian Pop

Various Artists
Apala Groups In Nigeria 1967-70
First Collection of Apala Music Released Outside Nigeria

more from Ted's honorable mentions:

Caixa Cubo: Angela
Electric Brazilian Jazz-Rock-Pop

Dumama + Kechou: Buffering Juju
African Traditional Song Meets Synthpop

Seu Jorge & Rogê: Night Dreamer Direct-To-Disc Sessions
Acoustic Brazilian Popular Music

Matthew Joseph: Mood Masala
Funk Influenced by Indian Music and Fingerstyle Guitar

the Bab L’Bluz is great, not sure what Motown has to do with it tho

I wish the movie doc Elder’s Corner was available for streaming. It is now only visible via certain movie festivals. It’s about a NYC based Nigerian who goes back home to find the old school musicians he heard as a kid

Gonna start a 2021 thread

Here's to 2021

Rolling Global Outernational Non-West Non-English (Some Exceptions) 2021 Thread (Often African bands)