The Country, Folk & World Recommendation Thread

[Safar]

Although Rahel Yohannes is a formidable singer who has performed professionally for more than 20 years, her entrance into the music business was almost by coincidence. As the manager of an Ethiopian restaurant, Rahel would frequently entertain her customers by singing acappella for them. Her patrons began to look forward to her impromptu performances and, one evening, one of these admirers brought the late Ketema Mekonnen – a well-known singer and player of traditional musical instruments – to the restaurant and asked Rahel to join him in a song.

Rahel Yohannes - Arada (Ethiopia)

I would describe my style or genre of music as “Antsar” (meaning perspective). What I mean by Ansar is it depicts the music from the surrounding. I believe people are used to pop, RnB, Reggae, Hip Hop, Jazz and so on. However, for me a hint or a music from all of them combined with old and current music brings with it a sweet spot of music which was initially untapped.

Kassmasse Feat. Protoje - መላ መላ Mela Mela (Remix) (Ethiopia)

Spoiler for Kassmasse - ማለዳ Maleda:

As a child, Kibrom studied Ethiopian orthodox chanting and traditional instruments at a monastery, later melding thousand-year-old musical histories with modern sounds.

Kibrom Birhane - Mender (Ethiopia)

[Safar]

Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay (13 March 1958 – 10 December 2022), known professionally as Tshala Muana, was a singer and dancer from Congo-Kinshasa. Considered the "Queen of Mutuashi", a traditional dance music from her native Kasai region, she is often called "Mamu National”

Tshala Muana - Lekela Muadi (DRC)

[Lisnaholic]

Hi Safar! Thanks for doing the lonely job of keeping this thread alive!

Of your recent posts, I think these are the ones I liked best:-

Originally Posted by Safar

Son Rompe Pera - Cumbia Algarrobera (Mexico)

Originally Posted by Safar

Adjiri Odametey - Ghana groove (Ghana)

Originally Posted by Safar

Kibrom Birhane - Mender (Ethiopia)

...and here are a couple of groups I've been listening to recently:-

Nass El Ghiwane from Morocco, North Africa on traditional acoustic instruments:



Balla Et Ses Balladins, from Guinea, West Africa, who have some nice elec guitar:

[Safar]

Off the beaten path, this thrilling, mind blowing, shuffle inspiring thread is absolutely alive and kicking.

[Lisnaholic]

Originally Posted by Safar

Off the beaten path, this thrilling, mind blowing, shuffle inspiring thread is absolutely alive and kicking.

I'm glad you think so, Safar!

"Off the beaten path". That's exactly what appeals to me with this thread, the music, and this whole sub-forum on MB: it's like a secret store of great sounds that you won't hear anyplace else because the artists don't get much attention outside their country of origin.

[Ethan0011]

Exactly, you rarely hear such sounds. This is something worth paying attention to.

[Safar]

Tariku Gankasi is an Ethiopian musician from Jinka, a southern region of Ethiopia. Gankisi was a soldier in the military during the Ethio-Eritrean war. He saw much violence and his music has preached love and peace ever since he returned home......Not only does the song create conversations and controversy within Ethiopia, but it also successfully raises awareness across Africa. The song promotes unity and reconciliation.

Tariku Gankisi - Dishta Gina - ታሪኩ ጋንካሲ - ዲሽታግና (Ethiopia)

[Safar]

Shwi no Mtekhala is a South African maskandi duo formed in late 1990's. The group is composed of Mandla Xaba and Zwelenduna Rodgers Magubane.

Shwi No Mtekhala - Ngafa (South Africa)

Spoiler for Shwi Nomtekhala - uThando ft. Nathi Mankayi, Mnqobi Yazo:

[Safar]

Khuzani Nkosikhona Innocent Mpungose (born December 3, 1989) professionally known as Khuzani is a South African maskandi singer.

Khuzani - Ijele (South Africa)

Phuzshukela (John Bhengu) was one of the first maskanda musicians, and has been described as a pioneer of the genre and the first rural artist in South Africa to achieve prominence.
He influenced later artists such as Johnny Clegg, Busi Mhlongo and Phuzekhemisi among others.

Phuzushukela - Ama Jika Ntamo (South Africa)

[Safar]

Talented South African singer and songwriter who majors in Maskandi genre....

Ugatsheni - Yimi Umalume (South Africa)

Spoiler for Ugatsheni - Emendweni: