Sean Jacobs's Blog, page 630
July 5, 2011
The Sound of Johannesburg
South African artists BLK JKS and Athi-Patra Ruga provide this month's mixtape for the Italian architecture, art and design magazine Domus (other mixtapes in the past gave us musical snapshots of Buenos Aires, London, Melbourne, Milan, Harlem and Mexico City — all of them highly recommended, by the way).
Listen to the mixtape on the Domus website. This is the tracklist of "The Sound of Johannesburg":
1. LETTA MBULU — NOMALIZO / Athi-Patra Ruga #1
2. SPIKIRI — MONEY TALKS
3. Athi-Patra Ruga #2
4. DIRTY PARAFFIN — EXHIBIT A
5. SKELETON CREW — INVISIBLE CITIES (the burning piano David KRUT eBOOK podcast interview)
6. GIVAN LOTZ — EASY NOW
7. FELIX LaBAND — JESUS AT THE TABLE
8. CHLLNGR ft BLK JKS, MO LAUDI of the very best and SPOEK MATHAMBO — ASK FOR (remix)
9. US KIDS KNOW — PROBLEMS
10. HUGH MASEKELA — NIGHTS IN TUNISIA /Athi-Patra Ruga #3
11. PROFESSOR — IJIMAPI LEWEIGHT
12. Athi-Patra Ruga #4
13. TSHE TSHA BOYS — UYAKWINI NA ROSE (where are you going?)
14. POLYPHONIC&SERENGETI — LATELY (remixed by JOAO ORECCHIA)
15. Athi-Patra Ruga #5
16. BLK JKS and THANDISWA MAZWAI for the ZAR ORKESTRE — UKUTHULA (cover)
July 4, 2011
Lady Gaga's saxophone solos
This marks the beginning of a collaboration between AIAC and Loren Lynch's blog, PolitiPop, which she describes as "political pop culture for the bewildered herd." She'll occasionally write about American pop culture. Here's her first offering–a repost from her blog. She'll also do some original stuff for us–Sean Jacobs.
What do Lady Gaga and Bon Iver have in common? Well, um, give me a minute.
Okay, they're both musicians, have released albums in the last month or so, and are both very talented in very different aspects. And both of them apparently enjoy a nice saxophone solo.
The two artists are on completely opposite ends of the genre spectrum; one wears dresses made of meat, rides into the Grammy's in a giant silicone egg, and writes lyrics that express her views on immigration reform and LGBT issues, while the other records his albums in a converted swimming pool attached to a veterinarians office in Wisconsin, wears plaid button-ups, polo's and khaki pants, and surprises his fans by popping up on a Kanye West track. But on both of their new albums, one can hear striking similarities in heavy saxophone solos and synthetic keyboard instrumentals that would play nicely on a mixed tape between Phil Collins' "One More Night" and Madonna's "Open Your Heart."
Lady Gaga's Born This Way features several 80′s inspired tomes; the track titled "Black Jesus + Amen Fashion" calls to mind Madonna's interpretation of the black saint in "Like a Virgin," while its instrumentals might encourage a cameo by Paula Abdul's MC Skat Kat. The single "The Edge of Glory," features a fantastic saxophone solo by the late Clarence Clemons of the E-Street Band. The video, which you can watch above, is simple by Lady Gaga's standards, and seems to be inspired by basically every Michael Jackson video made in the 1980′s.
Bon Iver's self-titled sophomore album is considerably more complex than Born This Way. The alt-indie group led by Justin Vernon has touches of 80′s noir, blended with the strong folksy sounds we're accustomed to hearing from the band. In a surprising mix, Vernon fuses the decidedly 80′s sounds of the keyboard, electric guitar and saxophone with the twang of a country-esque slow jam on the albums closing song "Beth/Rest." You can watch the official video for Bon Iver's first single "Calgary" below.
So this is 2011, what's with the flashback?
1980′s music rode heavily on the revolution of the industry with the premiere MTV; heavily digitized and highly visual, the most successful artists of the era left their mark by making loud statements and challenging the mainstream (See: "Like a Virgin").
Collectively, the US spent much of the 1980′s recovering from a global recession, conservatives idealized American Exceptualism and President Ronald Reagan, technology was rapidly evolving with the creation of portable devices such as the mobile phones and the Sony Walkman, there was ongoing war in Iraq and the US military bombed Libya.
Pop culture is often at its best when it accurately reflects reality, so it's no surprise that our music, like our history, is repeating itself. Additionally, many of those who make up pop musics core demographic were born in the 1980′s — like myself — and while obviously well aware of Madonna and Phil Collins, our experience of the decade is limited to second-hand knowledge. This 80′s sound, the political outcry, the visual/metaphorical messages people once saw only when they tuned into MTV are now disseminated rapidly through the internet.
To many engaged listeners this music isn't a revival, but revolutionary.
'The little black fella'
From a review of English footballer Paul Merson's new autobiography (his second):
In South Africa we were introduced to to this little black fella with grey hair. 'Who's that?' I asked Kenny Sansom. 'It's Nelson Mandela, Merse. He's one of the most famous people in the world.'
Source: When Saturday Comes.
July 1, 2011
July 1, Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia
July, like June, is a busy month for independence celebrations in Africa. We can't keep up. Today we celebrate with the people Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia. Here's one each from each locale. It's pop.
The Ben (Rwanda):
Steven Sogo (Burundi):
Waayaha Cusub (Somalia):
Weekend Special /July 1, 2011
* Damien Ma, at The Atlantic, blogs about a story on a Chinese website on "the growing phenomenon of Chinese men marrying African women, as Chinese presence in Africa continues to expand." The post and comments are replete with insights and stereotypes; most of it not Ma's fault. Here's the caption on the original for the photo above: "The son of a wealthy Sichuan Chinese businessman who married last year's Miss Kenya!!!Strongly recommend!!!" Here.
* ' "This is Africa," says the lover, and pulls her to safety, leaving the sweaty soldier in the too-tight boots to shoot the already bleeding man.' No comment.
* I'm bored by the the political writing coming out of South Africa (whether its mainstream media or few political blogs). The real problem in South Africa we learn is not a mix of racism, inequality, unemployment, state inaction, etcetera, but a bombastic, media savvy ANC "youth leader" who baits the defensive local press and whites. Among the exceptions are The South African Civil Society Information Service. I've linked here to pieces by Jane Duncan (on the Democratic Alliance), Lennie Gentle (on the symbiotic relationship between the ANC and whites) and now Richard Pithouse along those same lines. Sample lines: "… The havoc that Malema is wreaking is not because he has a political genius for articulating the aspirations of the masses. And it's not because there are not perfectly articulate grassroots activists all over the country. It's because amidst all his buffoonery he is giving a name to a truth that has up until this moment been largely repressed in most of our interlocking elite publics. That truth is that our celebrated deal has failed most of us. The goose that has been so assiduously protected is still laying, but those golden eggs haven't been shared out."
* Over on the Mail & Guardian's Thoughtleader Blog (actually the page of Zimbabwean Tendai Marima), Sophia Azeb (she's with us) and Sonja Sugira (who I hope will feel the need to blog again here; we miss her) join bloggers Konwomyn, Khadija Patel and Tolu Ogunlesi, to discuss Sudan, social media, Arab-Africans, Michelle Obama, Clay Shirky, and Paul Kagame, among other topics. Here are Parts 1 and 2. Part 3 is apparently on its way.
* While Africa correspondent (most publications have one correspondent for all 53, soon to be 54, countries) is probably on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, Omar Al Bashir goes to China. Maybe it can achieve what his international PR campaign may not.
* Basil D'Oliviera was a celebrated case, but many more damn fine black cricketers were prevented from playing for South Africa because of their skin color. Like Krom Hendricks more than 100 years ago. And no Kevin Pietersen you are not a victim.
* A lot of time and energy are spent on the conundrum of whites in postapartheid South Africa. Books, seminars, blogs, court cases, asylum in Canada, newspaper editorials,"civil society" organizations (I see you Afriforum and Solidarity), etcetera. Now's this essay by Rhodes University (in South Africa) academic Samantha Vice. Read it.
* Michelle Obama had lunch in this neighborhood. Ah, the smell of gentrification.
* What happened to that film about Precious McKenzie? You should know him. Muhammed Ali did.
* Finally, CNN held its annual Journalism of the Year awards for African journalists in Johannesburg. It was sponsored by Coco Cola. A Kenyan journalist won the top award. Smile.
It's also Independence Day in Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia today. So once the Music Break is up we're done till Monday. See you then.
Weekend Special, July 1, 2011
* Damien Ma, at The Atlantic, blogs about a story on a Chinese website on "the growing phenomenon of Chinese men marrying African women, as Chinese presence in Africa continues to expand." The post and comments are replete with insights and stereotypes; most of it not Ma's fault. Here's the caption on the original for the photo above: "The son of a wealthy Sichuan Chinese businessman who married last year's Miss Kenya!!!Strongly recommend!!!" Here.
* ' "This is Africa," says the lover, and pulls her to safety, leaving the sweaty soldier in the too-tight boots to shoot the already bleeding man.' No comment.
* I'm bored by the the political writing coming out of South Africa (whether its mainstream media or few political blogs). The real problem in South Africa we learn is not a mix of racism, inequality, unemployment, state inaction, etcetera, but a bombastic, media savvy ANC "youth leader" who baits the defensive local press and whites. Among the exceptions are The South African Civil Society Information Service. I've linked here to pieces by Jane Duncan (on the Democratic Alliance), Lennie Gentle (on the symbiotic relationship between the ANC and whites) and now Richard Pithouse along those same lines. Sample lines: "… The havoc that Malema is wreaking is not because he has a political genius for articulating the aspirations of the masses. And it's not because there are not perfectly articulate grassroots activists all over the country. It's because amidst all his buffoonery he is giving a name to a truth that has up until this moment been largely repressed in most of our interlocking elite publics. That truth is that our celebrated deal has failed most of us. The goose that has been so assiduously protected is still laying, but those golden eggs haven't been shared out."
* Over on the Mail & Guardian's Thoughtleader Blog (actually the page of Zimbabwean Tendai Marima), Sophia Azeb (she's with us) and Sonja Sugira (who I hope will feel the need to blog again here; we miss her) join bloggers Konwomyn, Khadija Patel and Tolu Ogunlesi, to discuss Sudan, social media, Arab-Africans, Michelle Obama, Clay Shirky, and Paul Kagame, among other topics. Here are Parts 1 and 2. Part 3 is apparently on its way.
* While Africa correspondent (most publications have one correspondent for all 53, soon to be 54, countries) is probably on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, Omar Al Bashir goes to China. Maybe it can achieve what his international PR campaign may not.
* Basil D'Oliviera was a celebrated case, but many more damn fine black cricketers were prevented from playing for South Africa because of their skin color. Like Krom Hendricks more than 100 years ago. And no Kevin Pietersen you are not a victim.
* A lot of time and energy are spent on the conundrum of whites in postapartheid South Africa. Books, seminars, blogs, court cases, asylum in Canada, newspaper editorials,"civil society" organizations (I see you Afriforum and Solidarity), etcetera. Now's this essay by Rhodes University (in South Africa) academic Samantha Vice. Read it.
* Michelle Obama had lunch in this neighborhood. Ah, the smell of gentrification.
* What happened to that film about Precious McKenzie? You should know him. Muhammed Ali did.
* Finally, CNN held its annual Journalism of the Year awards for African journalists in Johannesburg. It was sponsored by Coco Cola. A Kenyan journalist won the top award. Smile.
It's also Independence Day in Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia today. So once the Music Break is up we're done till Monday. See you then.
Weekend Special
* Damien Ma, at The Atlantic, blogs about a story on a Chinese website on "the growing phenomenon of Chinese men marrying African women, as Chinese presence in Africa continues to expand." The post and comments are replete with insights and stereotypes; most of it not Ma's fault. Here's the caption on the original for the photo above: "The son of a wealthy Sichuan Chinese businessman who married last year's Miss Kenya!!!Strongly recommend!!!" Here.
* ' "This is Africa," says the lover, and pulls her to safety, leaving the sweaty soldier in the too-tight boots to shoot the already bleeding man.' No comment.
* I'm bored by the the political writing coming out of South Africa (whether its mainstream media or few political blogs). The real problem in South Africa we learn is not a mix of racism, inequality, unemployment, state inaction, etcetera, but a bombastic, media savvy ANC "youth leader" who baits the defensive local press and whites. Among the exceptions are The South African Civil Society Information Service. I've linked here to pieces by Jane Duncan (on the Democratic Alliance), Lennie Gentle (on the symbiotic relationship between the ANC and whites) and now Richard Pithouse along those same lines. Sample lines: "… The havoc that Malema is wreaking is not because he has a political genius for articulating the aspirations of the masses. And it's not because there are not perfectly articulate grassroots activists all over the country. It's because amidst all his buffoonery he is giving a name to a truth that has up until this moment been largely repressed in most of our interlocking elite publics. That truth is that our celebrated deal has failed most of us. The goose that has been so assiduously protected is still laying, but those golden eggs haven't been shared out."
* Over on the Mail & Guardian's Thoughtleader Blog (actually the page of Zimbabwean Tendai Marima), Sophia Azeb (she's with us) and Sonja Sugira (who I hope will feel the need to blog again here; we miss her) join bloggers Konwomyn, Khadija Patel and Tolu Ogunlesi, to discuss Sudan, social media, Arab-Africans, Michelle Obama, Clay Shirky, and Paul Kagame, among other topics. Here are Parts 1 and 2. Part 3 is apparently on its way.
* While Africa correspondent (most publications have one correspondent for all 53, soon to be 54, countries) is probably on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, Omar Al Bashir goes to China. Maybe it can achieve what his international PR campaign may not.
* Basil D'Oliviera was a celebrated case, but many more damn fine black cricketers were prevented from playing for South Africa because of their skin color. Like Krom Hendricks more than 100 years ago. And no Kevin Pietersen you are not a victim.
* A lot of time and energy are spent on the conundrum of whites in postapartheid South Africa. Books, seminars, blogs, court cases, asylum in Canada, newspaper editorials,"civil society" organizations (I see you Afriforum and Solidarity), etcetera. Now's this essay by Rhodes University (in South Africa) academic Samantha Vice. Read it.
* Michelle Obama had lunch in this neighborhood. Ah, the smell of gentrification.
* What happened to that film about Precious McKenzie? You should know him. Muhammed Ali did.
* Finally, CNN held its annual Journalism of the Year awards for African journalists in Johannesburg. It was sponsored by Coco Cola. A Kenyan journalist won the top award. Smile.
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