The Africa Report July 2020

We’re pleased to announce Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions, a new comprehensive film and music set documenting Béla Fleck’s transcontinental exploration of the banjo’s roots. The Complete Africa Sessions, out March 27, compiles the 2008 documentary film Throw Down Your Heart; its soundtrack, Tales From the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3; and the outtakes collection Throw Down Your Heart: Africa Sessions Part 2, Unreleased Tracks. Plus, it includes a brand-new album with kora master Toumani Diabaté entitled The Ripple Effect (also available to purchase individually on 180-gram, 2-LP vinyl).

16 rare cuts selected by Miles Cleret and DJ Okapi - available for the first time on vinyl outside of their original release!

Enchanting griot tales from West Africa; recorded in traditional settings and spanning nearly half a century, and each accompanied by lilting guitar and koni lutes in a way that you’d never guess when they were recorded.

After a first album « Departures » released in 1999 by Warner / Erato Disque and recognized by the press (“Listen. That has nothing to do with it. Listen, you won’t believe it” Jacques Denis) Jo Kaiat went to Tel Aviv to record his new album with long-time friend, bass player Avishai Cohen and three Israeli musicians: Noam David (drums), Gilad Abro (double bass) and Ilan Katchka (percussions). In this project, Jo Kaiat draws on the wealth of Hebrew music from the Middle East, West Africa and Arab-Andalusia. This hybrid form of jazz with multiple influences, makes it a mixed album that reflects with sensitivity the sum of the experiences of the pianist throughout the world.

Blues music award nominee for soul blues female artist of the year Sharrie Williams is back with a soul inspiring, blues filled workout. Out Of The Dark presents the princess of rockin' gospel blues at the height of her powers. Three time Blues Music Award nominee and 2012 Blues Album of the Year award winner from L'Academie du Jazz, Sharrie Williams was born and raised in the Daniel Heights projects of Saginaw, Michigan. Sharrie began singing in the church choir at the age of six, and by the time she was 12 she had begun touring and recording with the Greater Williams Temple church choir.

That William Parker is a bassist, composer and bandleader of extraordinary spirit and imaginative drive is common knowledge among any with an interest in the progressive jazz scene of the past 25 years or more. What’s become increasingly apparent, though, is Parker’s stature as a visionary of sound and song – an artist of melody and poetry who works beyond category, to use the Ellingtonian phrase. The latest multi-disc boxed set from Centering Records/AUM Fidelity devoted to Parker’s expansive creativity underscores his virtually peerless achievement in recent years.