Chowning, John – John Chowning – [Wergo]

A donation from the composer himself, Stanford Professor Emeritus and participant in the UBS Mayhem special WHAT THE DORMOUSE SAID. Chowning was a part of the crew at the Stanford AI Lab (“SAIL”) where he implemented the first ever on-line computer music system and discovered the frequency modulation algorithm in which both carrier-frequency + modulating-frequency are within the audio band.
These are a few of his award winning electronic compositions. Stria is the best known. Gentle Cerebral Electronic Music. AArbor

TULEAR NEVER SLEEPS

This is the first compilation of music of the Tsapiky (Tsa-peek) guitars from south west Madagascar. They are handmade box shaped lutes. The gentle rhythmic lute-like musical style is similar to many of its African neighbors but it’s distinct. The tsapiky is at the center of the group which includes vocals, bass, drums and dancers. The vocal styles vary and the lyrics tell stories about people, relationships and aspects of life. A beauty! AArbor

CAPTAIN YABA – YabaFUNKRoots

This music is ‘griot funk? from Sierra Leone. Originally released in the 1990′s this album apparently had little impact at that time. Yaba’s sound slowly grew in popularity by word of mouth. Yaba himself died of TB (in his early 30s) in April of 2001. For about 4 years from 1999 until 2003 the album was out of circulation. RetroAfric re-issued it re-packaged with added tracks from the original session. Funky African style beats underpin Yaba’s gentle 2-string gourd guitar (koliko) grooves, a muted trumpet & vocals. A beauty! AArbor

added: 03/31/04