Glow International Magazine From April 2015

February 6, 2015, Kauai, Hawaii: Under a 6000 sq. ft. pavilion, Taj Mahal assembled a score of musicians and members of his red-hot traveling band next to lapping waves of the Pacific. Some were friends from the Hula Blues Band, others, jazz legends who, like himself, are at the top of their game. Two sold-out concerts packed with ecstatic audiences who swayed, danced and rocked out with that sweet, powerful aloha spirit brought yet another wonder. The acoustics of the open tent pitched there next to the ocean, created an extraordinary sound quality. The recordings were terrific! Two CDs are necessary to share the harmony of those events.

Newly formed Congolese seven-piece band Mbongwana Star releases its debut full-length album, From Kinshasa, on May 19 via World Circuit, distributed in North America by Nonesuch Records; vinyl follows June 9 July 31. The album is available for pre-order on iTunes and in the Nonesuch Store in North America (and in the World Circuit Shop outside North America) with an instant download of the debut single, "Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1)." Thump premiered a brand-new video for the track, which you can watch below; underground music site Boiler Room praises the song for its "eerie postpunk-sounding guitar work, and an altogether unique vibe." In April, the band embarks on a European tour in support of the album.