For the Homies: The Pleb and "One for Senegal"

Today's random tune is by Moreno Visini from Italy whose music comes by way of Africa. Also known as The Pleb and DJ Zeb), Visini is from from Northern Italy but left home at age 14 and ended up in London, where he learned electronic programming and sequencing, and where he was heavily influenced by Asian and Arabic music. In the mid 1980s, he was invited to join the American alt-rock band The Indians, but after they disbanded in 1994, he went back to experimentation with electronica and world music. This song, One for Senegal was inspired by the song Amadou Tilo by Senegalese band Touré Kunda in honor of a fallen brother who had died of a heart attack on stage in 1983. Visini heard it late one night in his apartment and was transfixed. He sampled the song, a mostly a capella, rootsy style of track, and put a funky Afrobeat drum rhythm and guitar riffs under it. The surviving members of the band have greatly admired Visini's interpretation of their song. You can find One for Senegal on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: African Groove (2003).

Black Gold of the Sun: A Peace of Ebony and "Vadzimu"

Today's song is by Zimbabwean group A Peace of Ebony, entitled Vadzimu. A Peace of Ebony was a group of five musicians, all young, talented and innovative who were led by rapper/activist Herbert Schwamborn. They were especially influential on young Zimbabwean performers. In 1994, after winning the prestigious Radio France International Discoveries prize, the members went their own ways, with their lead singer, Chiwoniso, going on to front her own band. Vadzimu has multi-lingual lyrics and encourages Africans to celebrate and assert their cultural identities. You can find Vadzimu on the 2003 compilation Putumayo Presents: African Groove.