Helen, good of you to recommend Archie Roach. "Took the Children Away
" is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Are you Australian? I am not, but I did spend much of yesterday listening to Gurrumul (Geoffrey Yunupingu) and The Saltwater Band.
Vic, love the video. I notice you recommended Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté each in collaboration with others, so I'm sure you know of their work together. I'm listening to "In the Heart of the Moon" as I type.
I've been listening to a lot of Fela Kuti lately. The 1969 L A Sessions album, of course featuring the great Tony Allen on drums, is especially invigorating. It feels like I'm hearing an important genre as it's being invented. You can still sometimes hear the Highlife, the Jazz, the R&B but at its best you hear the perfect blend that would exemplify Afrobeat in the 70's and beyond.