Down by the Bahia: Angélique Kidjo and "Bahia"

The legendary Angélique Kidjo sings the random tune for today, Bahia. A Grammy award winning singer-songwriter from Benin, Kidjo regularly makes world lists of notable and inspiring African women and as one of the world's greatest musicians. She is known for an astonishing variety of musical influences from diverse musical personalities and an array of genres. She sings in four languages (Fon, Yoruba, French and English) as well as her own personal language. After a childhood in Benin listening to traditional Beninese music as well as other world stars such as Fela Kuti, James Brown, Miriam Makeba, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Masakela and Stevie Wonder, among others, she began her musical career in Benin before moving to Paris in 1983 where she was discovered and signed to a major label. She has put out at least 15 albums. She does various forms of advocacy for UNICEF, African girls' education, hunger and third world health, among other things. Bahia can be found on her 2002 album Black Ivory Soul, and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Women of Africa (2004). This video is from a live performance at the Newport Jazz Festival. Bahia refers to the state in Brazil, where Kidjo teamed up with Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian musicians to write songs for the album.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang%C3%A9lique_Kidjo

A Twist on the Random Tune: Ignace de Souza & the Melody Aces with "Asaw Fofor"

Ignace de Souza & The Melody Aces bring us today's tune, called Asaw Fofor. From Benin, Ignace de Souza began his music career in the 1950s in what was then the country of Dahomey (Benin's predecessor) and absorbed many different styles of music including cha cha, afrobeat, and especially Ghanaian highlife - he migrated to Ghana in 1955. This song, however, is a twist, which he also occasionally did. You can find Asaw Fofor on the 2018 various artists compilation African Scream Contest 2.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Source: http://electricjive.blogspot.com/2010/03/ignace-de-souza-west-african-genius.html

Benin Party: Laurent Hounsavi and "Mindé Sè"

Mindé Sè is the name of our random tune today, performed by Laurent Hounsavi and his band. Hounsavi is from Benin - so if you are confused by the music which sounds Caribbean you are allowed to be. After winning an award for best young talent in Benin at 15, he moved to Paris at age 17 where he performed in the Metro, cafes and bars while he earned a degree. He released his first CD, a four song EP, in 2000 and later that year drew 50,000 at a concert in Benin. Hounsavi is an African salsa musician who sings in all three Beninese languages (Fon, Yoruba and Goun) and his songs have been marketed in over 100 countries. He has also shared the stage with many other famous African, Afro-Cuban and salsa musicians. You can find Mindé Sè featured on the Putumayo compilation World Party, released in 2007.

In a Brazilian State: Angelique Kidjo and "Bahia"

Happy birthday to my partner in this show, the legendary Megan Kamerick! The equally legendary Angélique Kidjo sings the random tune for today, Bahia. A Grammy award winning singer-songwriter from Benin, Kidjo regularly makes world lists of notable and inspiring African women and as one of the world's greatest musicians. She is known for an astonishing variety of musical influences from diverse musical personalities and an array of genres. She sings in four languages (Fon, Yoruba, French and English) as well as her own personal language. After a childhood in Benin listening to traditional Beninese music as well as other world stars such as Fela Kuti, James Brown, Miriam Makeba, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Masakela and Stevie Wonder, among others, she began her musical career in Benin before moving to Paris in 1983 where she was discovered and signed to a major label. She has put out at least 15 albums. She does various forms of advocacy for UNICEF, African girls' education, hunger and third world health, among other things. Bahia can be found on her 2002 album Black Ivory Soul, and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Women of Africa (2004). This video is from a live performance at the Newport Jazz Festival. Bahiarefers to the state in Brazil, where Kidjo teamed up with Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian musicians to write songs for the album.

Spicy African Salsa: Laurent Hounsavi and "Mindé Sè"

Mindé Sè, today's random tune, is by Laurent Hounsavi and his band. Hounsavi is from Benin - so if you are confused by the music which sounds Caribbean you are allowed to be. After winning an award for best young talent in Benin at 15, he moved to Paris at age 17 where he performed in the Metro, cafes and bars while he earned a degree. He released his first CD, a four song EP, in 2000 and later that year drew 50,000 at a concert in Benin. Hounsavi is an African salsa musician who sings in all three Beninese languages (Fon, Yoruba and Goun) and his songs have been marketed in over 100 countries. He has also shared the stage with many other famous African, Afro-Cuban and salsa musicians. You can find Mindé Sè featured on the Putumayo compilation World Party, released in 2007.

Africa's Premier Diva: Angélique Kidjo and "Bahia"

The legendary Angélique Kidjo sings the random tune for today, Bahia. A Grammy award winning singer-songwriter from Benin, Kidjo regularly makes world lists of notable and inspiring African women and as one of the world's greatest musicians. She is known for an astonishing variety of musical influences from diverse musical personalities and an array of genres. She sings in four languages (Fon, Yoruba, French and English) as well as her own personal language. After a childhood in Benin listening to traditional Beninese music as well as other world stars such as Fela Kuti, James Brown, Miriam Makeba, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Masakela and Stevie Wonder, among others, she began her musical career in Benin before moving to Paris in 1983 where she was discovered and signed to a major label. She has put out at least 15 albums. She does various forms of advocacy for UNICEF, African girls' education, hunger and third world health, among other things. Bahia can be found on her 2002 album Black Ivory Soul, and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Women of Africa (2004). This video is from a live performance at the Newport Jazz Festival.