David Dalle
Thursday April 18th, 2024 with David Dalle
Guest Kiran Ahluwalia joins me to discuss her new album and her upcoming concert in Ottawa; fabulously danceable music from Mali and the Congo.
On today's show I am joined by guest Kiran Ahluwalia, one of Canada's most talented and adventurous musicians. Her new album is "Comfort Food". Despite the warm title, the album was inspired by the sense of helplessness she felt about the growing intolerance and extreme Hindu nationalism in her Indian homeland. The songs are her response and they strive to give voice to the marginalized--in doing so, they became her "comfort food". The songs range from political protest to infectious, joyful tunes about love and relationships. There is also a wonderful collaboration with Algerian singer Souad Massi.
Kiran Ahluwalia will be performing in Ottawa at the Shenkman Arts Centre next Thursday, tickets and info here:
https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/kiran-ahluwalia
| Before we are joined by Kiran Ahluwalia, we will delve deeper into two recent albums on Analog Africa. We will hear two more irresistible cuts from Leon Keita, who, though born in Guinea, made a very successful career in Mali, helping to found the Rail Band and later joining Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux alongside his close friend Manfila Kanté. The Analog Africa release features a selection of the few solo recordings he made in 1978. The other new release is a compilation of music from neighbouring capitals Kinshasha and Brazzaville. Music from 1969-1982, it features some Soukous legends like Franco and Tabu Ley, but also a lot of rare tracks from lesser known artists, playing funk, soul, and jazz inspired music.
Analog Africa always provides extensive liner notes for the album and each track. The stories often show how international music was in Africa. The first track is a great example. It starts with saxophonist Jean Nsimba, who was playing in Manu Dibangu's orchestra in Cameroon before he returned home to Kinshasha in the late 60's and founded a very successful music studio which specialized in rumba as well as jazz and funk. In the mid-70's, they formed a house band for the studio, International Sim Sim Orchestra. In 1982, a local producer, who used their studio often, mentioned a young singer with a great voice and asked if he could do a project with him. This singer, Petelo Vicka, was from Angola and had fled the civil war there. He spent one night recording two tracks at the studio with the Sim Sim Orchestra. Organist Petit José, from Sim Sim, who played for that session remembers that only a small pressing was made and was never released in Kinshasha--he never held the record in his hands. Petelo Vicka returned to Angola less than a year later and they never saw him again. We will start with this rare, incredible track! |
| Sungu Lubuka Petelo Vicka et Son Nzazi - Congo Funk! Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) - Analog Africa 
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| Mfuur Ma Groupe Minzota Ya Zaire - Congo Funk! Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) - Analog Africa
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| Gnanassouma Leon Keita - Leon Keita (Limited Dance Edition Vol. 16) - Analog Africa |
| Laila Trio Bydoli - Congo Funk! Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) - Analog Africa
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| Ngantsie Soul Les Bantous De La Capitale - Congo Funk! Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) - Analog Africa
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| Lolo Soulfire Lolo et l'Orchestre OK Jazz - Congo Funk! Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) - Analog Africa
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| Dakan Sate, Korotoumi Leon Keita - Leon Keita (Limited Dance Edition Vol. 16) - Analog Africa |
| To transition from the African music to Kiran Ahluwalia, we'll hear a live recording of "Mustt Mustt" from the last edition of the Festival au Desert in northern Mali in 2012 with Kiran Ahluwalia with Tinariwen. |
| Mustt Mustt Kiran Ahluwalia and Tinariwen - Festival Au Desert - Timbuktu |
| Speaking with Kiran Ahluwalia
Texts to Kiran's new songs can be found here: https://www.kiranmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Comfort-Food-Liner-Notes.pdf |
| Tum Dekhoge Kiran Ahluwalia - Comfort Food - Independent 
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| Vo Kuch Kiran Ahluwalia - Beyond Boundaries - Kiran Music
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| Jaane Jahan Kiran Ahluwalia - Comfort Food - Independent
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| Ban Koulchi Redux feat. Souad Massi Kiran Ahluwalia - Comfort Food - Independent
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| Pancake Kiran Ahluwalia - Comfort Food - Independent
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Greetings Dave!
2:02 PM, April 18th, 2024