if you thought 70's Bollywood dance numbers were funky...

Try a few from Kollywood)...

INSAAAAANE!!!!

Ilaiyaraaja- Sakala kalaa vallavan - Ilamai Itho Itho


"Varathu Varathu" from Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey

Stravinsky's Rite of Spring premiered on this day in 1913

Igor Stravinsky's ballet score The Rite of Spring received its premiere performance in Paris on May 29, 1913, provoking a riot...

'



Part 2

Part 3

Compagnie Heddy Maalem performance excerpt

Wunmi live in NY June 3rd

click image for detail

early Hip Hop in Indian dance music

Sharukh Khan in Chaahat : Daddy Cool


( check out the early 90s hip hop influence!)

Baba Seghal - Pump up your style


AR RAHMAN -Petta Rap


Gujurati rap song


and dont forget Gurdeep!!


Adagada - Sathyam (this one is pretty scary actually.. )

Greek Festival of Richmond this weekend

information here May 28-31

Greek art inspired coloring projects for kids here

Temptation - Arash feat Rebecca (not new, but cool!)

Persian singer Arash has been steady making hits for a while now - songs that appear in Bollywood movies or just end up being club hits, so its an interesting cross cultural collaboration, a phenomenon which is nothing new in India or the "Arab world" (is that what folks call it now? i hear that all the time)

I need to look up Rebecca, but i like her voice...

its also worth mentioning that many Indian and Arabic songs are hits in Russian clubs and vice versa... This one song has what sounds like 4 or 5 different cultural influences going on.. can you name them all? ; )

If Music Could Talk - May 24 2009 - Memorial Day Musical Meltdown

lots of classic reggae cuts from the early days, some beautiful psychedelic sounds from Indonesia, then, mind-bending psych-rock from Brasil... and some brand new releases in between to round the whole show out..

PODCAST LINK

Joseph Pereira, expert on Singapore 60s pop, teams up with Philips to release "100 Greatest Singapore 60s - The Definitive Collection"

This is really an incredible box set! It's a miracle that Mr Pereira was even able to make it happen given the usual pessimism of big labels to re-release their 60s material.. luckily Philips knew that they had not only a huge archive to pull from, but also, a resident expert in Singapore to make the selections....(Unfortunately, I dont know where you can BUY IT unless you live in Singapore or, like me, have an incredible connection with the creator of this box set - if you leave a comment expressing your interest, maybe they'll get it distributed here someday!) Ive been lucky enough to make contact with Mr Pereira over the past couple of years in my own hunt for information about music from Singapore and Malaysia, and he's been such a generous and knowledgable person to correspond with. Mr Pereira wrote an excellent book on this subject a few years back called "Legends of the Golden Venus" - a book telling the history of the Singapore Pop scene in the 60s. I bought two copies of this book and I know there are other copies floating around in cyberspace so if you can find it, get it! (might be able to order it here) Reading his book, you will know the REAL story of how these excellent Singapore pop artists started and rose to regional and (thanks to his latest triumphant project: "100 Greatest Singapore 60s - The Definitive Collection ") global popularity. 100 songs, 5 cds --- all classic pop from the golden era in Singapore.

below, read some words from Mr Pereira describing this project (thanks to "SINGAPORE 60's POP MUSIC HALL OF FAME" blog for the shared info!) :

"The onset of the Sixties saw Singapore well poised to ride the waves of international pop trends. It had been a scant six years since the first wave of Rock and Roll hit our shores. To the elders it had seemed like the end of civilisation as they knew it. This was youth culture. At once mysterious and alluring. The elders had no part it. The music was for the most part unintelligible but it conveyed its message to the young. Soon a few of the brave were venturing forth creating what they heard on records. Singers, duos and trios abounded. Only a few bands such as The Stompers and Esquires formed before the Sixties loomed.


It was a Cliff Richard and The Shadows concert in Singapore held in November 1961 that opened the floodgates. Suddenly light bulbs popped in more than a few budding Singaporean musicians. The blueprint for a band. Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums. Fronted by a singer. Suddenly bands were forming all over the island and clamoring for gigs wherever they could get it. The entrepreneurs, owners of restaurants and night clubs sensed an economic opportunity. If they could offer venues for the bands to play in that would bring in the punters. They were not slow to follow it through. Venues mushroomed round the island and then tea dances were held over the weekends. To be young in the Sixties was to be spoiled for choice. Shows almost every night and bands and singers by the dozens.


It would not be long before the recording companies would come sniffing. They were skeptical initially. Yes there is a lot of excitement but would it sell. Into the fray entered Philips. They signed Ruby Wah and released an EP which contained Jazz and mainstream oriented material. Respectable sales but no real indicator. Then they decided to take a chance on a vocal quartet fronted by the irrepressible Susan Lim. This was the Crescendos. Their first two releases sold upwards of 25,000 units and hit number one in both Singapore and Malaysia. At that time, Malaysia and Singapore was considered one market and it was not uncommon for a single to be released simultaneously in Singapore and Malaysia and followed by a long haul tour the length and breadth of Malaysia.


Suddenly the gates were swung wide open. Philips decided to go whole hog. Their talent scouts checked out venues and shows all over the island beginning 1964. There was a joke then that the depth of talent in Singapore was so deep that semi finalists of the Radio and Television talentime of that year were being signed. The artistes that you hear on this collection shows that diversity. Philips signed a wider range of talent than other labels. They were not afraid to take a chance on bands playing Rhythm and Blues such as The Cyclones, Bryan Neale, those playing the new fangled Soul such as Denni Wilson and The Commancheros and even emerging psychedelic which peeps out via Clansmen and Stevie Lorraine.


However pop still ruled the roost and artistes such as Naomi and The Boys, Shirley Nair and The Silver Strings, The Thunderbirds, Wilson David, Sonny Bala and The Moonglows, The Dukes with their various singers, Henry Suriya, Veronica Young and Heather provided plenty of releases in that direction. The releases became a flood in 1965 and fans were delirious knowing that each week would bring new releases from Philips. They did not disappoint and soon enough by 1966 had the largest roster of artistes in Singapore. They also entered the Malay and Mandarin market when they realised that Pop Yeh Yeh and Mandarin Pops had their own following.


For a four year period from 1965 to 1968 Philips had a major presence in the Singapore music scene and made names like Naomi Suriya, Shirley Nair, Heather, Thunderbirds, Cyclones, Alan Lyford household names not only in Singapore but also in Malaysia and even in Brunei where some of these acts did shows. This five cd box set of Philips Sixties depicts a time in Singapore's pop music history when the universal fever for pop also reverberated here and the breadth of styles and music played here reflects that diversity. Perhaps a feat never to be repeated.


By Joseph.C.Pereira, Author of "Legends of the Golden Venus"

Natraj, doing some excellent dance moves on his website

NATRAJ

(thanks for the link Natrajan!)

If Music Could Talk - 5/18/09 - rare vinyl from all over the world

lots o' 45s .. a crate of LPs.... and some cds stuck in between to fill the gaps..

a brief stop in ghana... an extended holiday in trinidad and jamaica, a chartered flight to indonesia, and lots of random musical postcards from other locations

PODCAST LINK

Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho - from Hanste Zakhm

some info about the film here - directed by Chetan Anand

Incredible song by Madan Mohan

( psst : the soundtrack is currently up on third floor )

this particular song is hauntingly beautiful.. oddly contrasting the lighthearted demeanor of Navin Nischol at the wheel , and Priya Rajvansh his passenger..

and there's a back story to these actors' lives that is equally haunting... i'll let you sleuth that out

i think i need to see this film

videos of Chom Nimol of Dengue Fever singing modern Khmer Pop

Chom Nimol singing Khmer Pop - videos from youtube



same song, different video






(not Chom Nimol in video -- but it's her singing)

City authorities in Mumbai demolish shanty home of Slumdog child star Azharuddin Ismail

by Shilpa Jamkhandikar - MUMBAI (Reuters) - City authorities in Mumbai demolished the shanty home of a "Slumdog Millionaire" child star on Thursday, forcing his family into the streets months after the Oscar-winning film shot him to global fame.

Azharuddin Ismail, 9, played the character of Salim as a child in the film, a rags-to-riches romance about a poor Indian boy competing for love and money on a television game show.

Ismail's tarpaulin-covered home in a teeming slum was one of several shanties, illegally built along a drain, that were demolished by local authorities in Mumbai, India's financial capital and entertainment hub.

"When they came I was sleeping, they shook me awake and one policeman even threatened me," Ismail, surrounded by half-broken suitcases filled with clothes and utensils, told Reuters.

"What can I do if they have demolished my house? I will sleep out in the open."

A poster of "Slumdog Millionaire," signed by director Danny Boyle, fluttered from the only wall of Ismail's shanty still standing. Open sewers run nearby and it had no running water." . . . . . . . . . . . . >>


read entire article here (from Reuters)

If Music Could Talk - May 10, 2009 - Soul, Funk, Salsa, Soca, and Chutney, for all the Mamasitas on Mother's Day

PODCAST LINK

LEBANESE FOOD FESTIVAL - starts this Friday and goes all weekend long!! MmmmM

INFO HERE

Bollywood Night - May 9th 2009!!

that's only 2 weeks away!! mark your calendars and please tell your friends!

aaja aaja aaja!!

(this is a free event, no endorsement implied by images above - promotional use only - support bollywood actors and musicians! buy original films and cds! )

CINCO DE MAYO!!! DJ Carlito will be spinning Salsa and other various Latin grooves at ¿Qué Pasa? - May 5th

THIS evening (6:30ish)!! come by , have a drink and some dinner and celebrate!! !

heres an article from when they opened last year or so ago--- (they now have a liquor license..)

¿Qué Pasa? restaurant
305 North 18th street (Church Hill)

special thanks to Leo Caldas - Bilingual Art Director of TRIM - for helping spread the word!

Amazing! a blog with downloadable classic Thai music rarities

Classic and Rare Thai Music Blog ~~>~~~>http://monrakplengthai.blogspot.com

THE ANCIENT CAMBODIAN KINGDOM OF ANGKOR - “WALKING THE ROYAL ROAD” TALK AT VMFA - FREE - MAY 14th

" DISCOVER THE ANCIENT CAMBODIAN KINGDOM OF ANGKOR IN FREE “WALKING THE ROYAL ROAD” TALK AT VMFA"

"The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will celebrate Asian Pacific–American Heritage Month with a free lecture May 14 at 6 p.m. in the Pauley Center parlor.

Dr. Jennifer Foley, the museum’s Paul Mellon Collection Educator, will speak on the topic “Walking the Royal Road: the Ancient Cambodian Kingdom of Angkor.”

The lecture is free, but seating is limited and advance registration is required: telephone (804) 340-1405 or order online at VMFA.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is on the Boulevard at Grove Avenue. VMFA is an educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. For additional information, telephone (804) 340-1400 or visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Web site, VMFA.

MORE INFO HERE



(above : the king's royal court dancers - 1687 )

"If Music Could Talk" - May 3, 2009

( Special feature on DARA PUSPITA in the second hour of the show !!)





PODCAST LINK

one Puerto Rican blogger's reaction to "El Cantante :

Read here

El Cantante the story of Hector Lavoe- directed by Leon Ichaso and featuring Marc Anthony as Hector Lavoe and J-Lo alongside him.


I missed this film completely which is probably a good thing... i've heard people say that this movie was disappointing-- which is pretty sad actually... it had the potential to be so powerful, and turn people on to the brilliant voice of this amazing Puerto Rican Salsa singer Hector Lavoe... but when does Hollywood ever portray any of our nation's diverse cultures in a positive light? rarely..... Yes, Lavoe had a turbulent life.. part of that was a symptom of the 70s as an era of excess... take any of the pop disco stars from that era and you'll find plenty of equally depraved dirt if you want it... i was going to try to rent it on dvd.. but now i might just skip it altogether so that my respect for Hector Lavoe isnt completely pissed on by this film....

"Willie Colon, Lavoes' long time friend and musical partner, was critical of the movie, writing on his web site:
The Creators of El Cantante missed an opportunity to do something of relevance for our community. The real story was about Hector fighting the obstacles of a non-supportive industry that took advantage of entertainers with his charisma and talent. Instead they did another movie about two Puerto Rican junkies. The impact of drugs in the entertainment industry is nothing new; look at Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Whitney Houston today."

WRIR Fund-drive (till May 2!)

click here for more information - donate to WRIR & support Independent, Non-commercial, LOCAL radio!!! MORE power to the people! WRIR Richmond Independent Radio - 97.3 FM - Radio for the rest of us!

Bol Baby Bol Rock-N-Roll

"i've taken the chance.... to make you dance... you will move your feet and grrroooove to the beat"