Mali-based world, afro-pop, ngoni performer Bassekou Kouyate and his band Ngoni Ba performs songs from their hypnotically mesmerizing new record "Ba Power" live on KEXP's Wo' Pop hosted by DJ Rhythma. Recorded 07/14/2015 - 4 songs: Musow Fanga, Jama ko, Abé Sumaya, Siran Fen.
“In order to be big, we need a lot of players.” Jungle Fire guitarist bassist Joseph Reina lays it out pretty clear: to be able to create muscular afro funk workouts, the Los Angeles outfit need at least ten musicians. But even with a guitarist missing, the nonet sound bold and kinetic when they j…
Xenia Rubinos' evocative, electrifying voice is a singular one to say the least, and in her sophomore album, this year's Black Terry Cat, she has a set of songs that have just as broad of a musical spectrum. Painting with a hard-to-categorize set of sounds drawing from R&B to punk, Rubinos' re…
A mind-expanding mix featuring some of DJ Kevin Cole's current favorite tracks including afro-beat grooves from Seattle and Icelandic alongside post-apocalyptic-disco and experimental-space-rock. 1. Cumulus - Hey Love 2. Barrence Whitfield and the Savages - The Corner Man 3. Frankie Rose - …
Xenia Rubinos' evocative, electrifying voice is a singular one to say the least, and in her sophomore album, this year's Black Terry Cat, she has a set of songs that have just as broad of a musical spectrum. Painting with a hard-to-categorize set of sounds drawing from R&B to punk, Rubinos' ret…
Following yesterday's hypnotic in-studio session on The Midday Show on KEXP, local ladies THEESatisfaction release their sophomore album EarthEE today via Sub Pop. KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes it as an "entrancing blend of Afro-futurist hip hop, cosmic R&B, psychedelic funk and astra…
Captivating our ears and showcasing why he is a global superstar, Belgian singer, rapper and songwriter Paul Van Haver, better known by his stage name Stromae, stormed into KEXP to spread his infectious grooves in this stunning live session. Laced with pop hooks, nineties electronics and Afro-tinge…
With eight members, it's no surprise that the afro-funk of Seattle's own Polyrhythmics packs a mean punch of energy. Beyond the vibrant wall of sound that struck audience members of our Occidental Park at Upstream, festival-goers were also hit with a massive dose of sheer joy. The highly-danceable …
Who said the Northwest can't get funky? The eight members of local group Cascadia ’10 play afro-funk music together using a variety of horns, electric guitars, percussion instruments and a sense of slow-burning soul. Formed in 2010, as their name might suggest, the members of Cascadia ’10 also play…
Seattle's own funk masters Polyrhythmics have become well known for their dynamic, hard-hitting live performances and today's Bumbershoot audience was experience it first hand. Polyrhythmics has made such a huge impact for such a young band, the eight piece orchestra was founded in 2010 by friends …
Local duo THEESatisfaction share a truly triptacular video for the title track off their most recent release, EarthEE, out now via Sub Pop. The clip, directed by Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes, also features label-mates and collaborators Porter Ray and Ishmael Butler of Shabazz Palaces. Alley-Barns describ…
Oakland's Beats Antique debuted in 2007 with their unique blend of the world fusion and electronic genres, performance art and live instruments. Muti-instrumentalist David Satori seamlessly brings a variety of world influences into the mix, from Middle Eastern styles to afro-beat. The group's dance…
Chilly collects some electronic, hip-hop and modern traditional Latin favorites that he's been spinning on El Sonido lately. It's a non-stop mix designed to move your mind, body and soul. Gozandolo, así es que vivo yo. 1. Systema Solar - Yo Voy Ganao 2. Rafi-eL - Suspiro 3. Boogat - Úni…
After a two year wait, and a rescheduled release date, we've finally got the latest from Phantogram on our hands. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says, the "New York duo's third album is a sleeker, more polished take on the band's moody electro-pop inflected with hip hop, funk and other styles." Swed…
While it's hard to begrudge Alt-J their winning the Mercury Prize, many of us at KEXP were also rooting for another young U.K. group, Django Django. These London-based Scots have also created a stunning art-pop debut, though on their self-titled release, Django Django tend to favor warmer, more Ame…
First band on air for the 2013 Iceland Airwaves broadcast, live from KEX Hostel, is the 14-man Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big Band. First formed in early 2000 for a short series of performances in their native Iceland, the band was reformed in 2007 and released their first studio album Fynkur. In addit…
Next on our video stream live from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves was Colombian-Canadian musician Lido Pimienta. The queer-identified musician, visual artist, and curator blends Afro-Colombian and indigenous music with experimental electro-pop. Her first album “Color” was released in 2010 (KUDETA),…
If you're looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for a music lover, look no further than this week's new releases. Brooklyn-based Sudanese multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Sinkane (aka Ahmed Gallab, former Yeasayer/Caribou/Of Montreal sideman) releases his fourth LP. KEXP Music Director Don Y…
Due to the windy weather and the consequential shuffling of band’s set times and locations, Sasquatch! Music Festival's El Chupacabra tent housed several acts that certainly didn’t fit the sound the EDM-themed stage is known for. Ibeyi was seemingly one of those bands, but the group had been schedu…
