Bridging the Gap February 7, 2024

*Kiyoshi Yamaya & Kifu Mitsuhashi: "Hohai-Bushi" (Wamono Groove: Shakuhachi & Koto Jazz Funk '76 2021) Japanese jazz composer & sax player Kiyoshi Yamaya advanced jazz composition in Japan. Kifu Mitsuhashi is a Japanese shakuhachi player.

*Kind & Kinky Zoo: "Hurricane Train (SoulBrigada Remix)" (Kind & Kinky Zoo 2017) Jazz/funk, afro beat, psychedelic  band out of Lausanne Switzerland. Featuring drums,  bass, flute and a Fender Rhodes.

*The Greyboy Allstars: "Inland Emperor" (Inland Emperor 2012) The Greyboy Allstars came together when asked to perform at a DJ Greyboy record release party in San Diego. They enjoyed playing together so much, they decided to continue on as a band.

*Brenda Fassie: "Let It Be" (Abantu Bayakhuluma 1994) So. African anti-apartheid Afropop singer Brenda Fassie began performing at age 16. She went multi-platinum when she teamed up with Chicco Twala on the album "Too Late For Mama" in 1989. "So. Africa's queen of pop" died from a cocaine overdose in 5/2004.

*Anjelique Kidjo: "Eledjire" (Logozo 1991) Grew up in a musical family and sang with her mother's theater group at age 6. She was influenced by the folk traditions of Benin as well as western music of James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Jimi Hendrix.

*The Mahotella Queens: "Bazobuya" (Bazobuya 2004) So. African mbaqanga group formed in 1964. They performed with Mahlathini Nkabinde and became hugely popular in the 60's & 70's. After line up changes orig. member Hilda Tloubatla continues to perform with newer members: Amanda Nkosi & Nonkululeko Maseko.

*Makaya McCraven: "Half Steppin'" (Universal Beings E&F Sides 2020) Amer. jazz drummer composer & producer born in Paris to parents ex-pat drummer Stephen McCraven & Hungarian folk singer Agnes Zsigmondi. MM is now dedicated to "reappropriate this music to be what it is, what it means to me, and what it means for my people." 

*Hattler: "Kraal Jam" (Warhol Holidays 2016) Helmut Hattler is a German bassist, composer & producer  with a distinctive, innovative style. He endured years of forced violin lessons and thought he'd never pick up another musical instrument. Thankfully, he began experimenting with bass guitar and vowed to play only what came from his heart.

*The Herbaliser: "Mr. Chombee Has The Flaw" (Herbal Tonic 2010) English hip hop group formed by Jake Wherry (guit. & bass) & Ollie Teeba (DJ from 15yrs.) in the early 90's. Their jazzy, instrumental style of hip hop led to their commission to compose the theme for ESPN's Sunday Night Football.

*Jovelina Pérola Negra: "Santo Forte" (Amigos Chegados 1990) Brazilian samba singer/songwr. was known for her deep voice. Her stage name means "Jovelina Black Pearl." She was a housemaid until her forties. She died of a heart attack in Nov. of 1998 at age 54 before realizing her dream of providing her children "with everything she didn't have."

*Ceu: "Falta De Ar" (Caravana Sereia Bloom 2012) Brazilian singer/songwr. Maria do Ceu Whitaker Pocas. Her father was composer Edgard B. Pocas. She has won many Latin Grammys and Brazilian music awards.

*Geni Pereira: "Dengossa" (Brazil Remixed 2005) Singer/songwr. Geni Pereira grew up in a musical family and pursued singing Bossa Nova, lounge, jazz & Brazialian African Rhythm mixed with modern music. 

*Riolistic: "Bossa No. 5" (Jazzelicious Presents 2003) Roy Shakked (Tao Of Groove, Holmes) produced this jazzy, funky album with a Brazilian twist. Shakked is know for his many compilations & various styles.

HOUR 2

*Yerba Buena: "El Burrito" (Island Life 2005) Afro Latin fusion band based in NYC founded by Venezuelan musician/producer Andres Levin, active between 03 & 09. They combine latin music with hip hop, Motown, soul, Afrobeat and a dash of Middle Eastern themes.

*Sergent Garcia: "El Baile Del Diablo" (Una Y Otra Vez 2011) French artist Bruno Garcia offers a mix of latin & reggae with Caribbean music & hip hop which he calls "salsamuffin."

*Eusebio Y Su Banjo: "Mi Morena Rebelde" (Cumbia Con Banjo 1981) Peruvian banjo player & composer Eusebio Perez Campojo was unique in his use of banjo for cumbia and chicha music.

*Ursula 1000: "Repetez Le Repertoire feat. Isabelle Antena" (Mondo Beyondo 2011) NY producer & multi-instr. Alex Gimeno uses a wide variety of influences to create his "retro/future" sound. He has been creating forward leaning music for over 20 years.

*Isabelle Antena: "La Pecheresse A La Ligne" (Late Night Reworks 2005) French jazz and pop singer Isabelle Powaga (Antena) began her career in the group Antena. As a solo artist she became very popular in Japan.

*Buscemi: "Beautiful As Sorrow feat. Anna Domino" (Nite People 2012) Belgian DJ/producer Dirk Swartenbroekx makes funky records with a wide variety of influences & styles. AD: Amer. sing/songwr. born in Japan moved to Brussels to advance her career.

*Anderson.Paak: "Make It Better (Instrumental)" (Ventura (Instrumentals) 2019) Amer. producer, drummer Brandon Paak Anderson fm Oxnard Ca. In 2021 he collaborated w/Bruno Mars to form Silk Sonic.

*Baby Charles: "The Sphinx" (Baby Charles 2008) Brighton UK soul/funk band fronted by singer Dionne Charles only made one album. This cut is the only instrumental track on the album.

*Beastie Boys: "Namaste" (The In Sound From Way Out! 1995) Known mostly as post punk rappers, The Beastie Boys: Adam Yauch (Bass) Mike D (Drums) & Adam Horovitz (Guitar) released this album of instrumentals gathered from previous albums.

*Nickodemus: "Do You Do You? feat. Carol C & The Spy From Cairo" (A Long Engagement 2018) DJ & producer Nick DeSimone has produced "Turntables On The Hudson" for many years. He creates music from global fusion & heavy beats. Carol C: singer Carol Cardenas TSFC: musician/producer Moreno Visini aka Zeb.

*Susheela Raman: "Meanwhile" (Music For Crocodiles 2005) British Tamil musician Susheela Raman is steeped in the Bahkti & Sufi traditions of India & Pakistan.

*Anoushka Shankar & Norah Jones: "Traces Of You" (Traces Of You 2013) London born sitar player & composer A Shankar collaborates with her half-sister sing/songwr. pianist Norah Jones. Both are offspring of sitar master Ravi Shankar.

*The Spy From Cairo: "Desert Tears" (Arabadub 2012) Italian/Gypsy producer/composer living in NYC Moreno Visini aka Zeb & Organic Grooves has written hundreds of songs & released many albums.