On The Corner Records: Triple Album Giveaway!
Mugwisa International Xylophone Group hail from Iganga, Uganda and play the embaire, a powerhouse xylophone that requires 12 people to play it. The instrument is dug into a pit for extra resonance and is often used for ceremonies that last for hours. This special strand of Ugandan folk music was first formally released by On The Corner Records last year. This year they’ve returned with a rip-roaring Iganga Embaire EP, recently featured in Vinyl Factory’s Best New Releases.
In celebration of the release, we’ve teamed up with On The Corner Records to offer one lucky winner a triple pack which includes the newly released Mugwisa record and the 2016 Embaire Umeme release. Alongside these two gems, we’ll also be giving away The Search, the latest album from Collocutor – the experimental jazz band led by friend of Africa Express and stellar sax player Tamar Osborn. With support from Ethiojazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke and tastemaker Gilles Peterson, Collocutor’s second album is definitely one for your collection.
For your chance to win these three records, simply sign up to our mailing list and share this post on your social media channels. Competition closes on December 6th and a winner will be announced within 2 days.
Listen to the albums below for a taste of what you might have in store!
Terms and Conditions: The competition is open to entrants in UK. All entries must be received by 6th Dec 2017. A winner will be selected at random and notified within three days of the above closing date by email. The winner will then have three days to respond and claim the prize. The winner will be required to supply details of a valid delivery/postal address. Once confirmed, the prize will be shipped free of charge. By entering this giveaway you confirm that Africa Express are allowed to contact you via email only with information on new products, shows or competitions. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time.
Oumou Sangare In The Round: 31st Jan 2018
Earlier this year the revered ‘Songstress of Wassoulu’, Oumou Sangare released Mogoya, her first album in 8 years. Now she brings her new material to the Roundhouse for a special, intimate one off show on Wednesday 31st January 2018. The new album out on No-Format marks a shift in Oumou’s artistic voice, made with young producers from France and Sweden Mogoya (which translates as Today’s People) seems crafted to speak to a new younger audience. The album, which features a stunning collab with Tony Allen (listen to Yere Faga here), carries stories about Mali’s current political crises, migration and more, bubbling over a bed of driving riffs and uptempo rhythms. Now seems as good a time as any to see one of the world’s most powerful vocalists in her element.
Doors at 7pm on Wed 31st Jan, tickets available now
Oumou’s performance kicks off a week of In The Round gigs, find out more about the other artists here.
For a taste of what’s in store watch Nowness’ stunning video of Oumou’s latest track ‘Kamelemba’:
Photo by Benoit Peverelli
Blick Bassy Headline UK Tour - Union Chapel Nov 17th
Cameroonian singer and guitarist Blick Bassy brings material from his latest album ‘Akö’ to the UK for a week. Released on french label No Format, ‘Akö’ is inspired by American Blues artist Skip James and features Blick singing in Bassa (one of Cameroon’s 260 native languages). Blick brings his live set to venues around the UK, performing with Johan Blanc on trombone and Clément Petit on cello, alongside his own distinctive falsetto, guitar and banjo. The headline tour kicks off with a special performance as part of The London Folk and Roots Festival at London’s Union Chapel on 17th November (tickets here)
Watch a new live version of Ndjè Yèm’ for a taste of what to expect:
See below for tour dates and ticket info:
Fri 17 November LONDON Union Chapel
Sat 18 November LEEDS Headrow House
Sun 19 November GALLOWAY Catstrand
Mon 20 November GLASGOW The Hug & Pint
Tues 21 November NORWICH Norwich Arts Centre
Fri 24 November BRISTOL Bristol Playhouse
Sat 25 November LIVERPOOL Philharmonic