Active Listener: Podcast 48 - African Strings and Skins

So you were probably expecting a Coachella round up podcast right? Maybe next time. Currently I am still trying not to think about it so I can avoid those painful waves of Coachella awesomeness withdrawal. Basically it was a lot of fun and there was some great music. I will be sure to get to it eventually but after all the SXSW stuff it's time for a non festival related mix and boy do I have something special for you today.

This podcast has some music that is very close to my heart. It is really the roots of my life as a drummer. As most of us do, I live many different lives: podcaster, phd engineer, dad, etc... but drummer is still a very important one. It's much more on the drum set these days (actually practice pad while kids sleep) but originally it was all about the djembe and that is all thanks to Budhi Harlow, my drum teacher in Santa Barbara. Drumming in a west African percussion ensemble opened my eyes and ears to a whole continent of music I hadn't really considered.

This mix is just a taste of what I have found and doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what's out there. Take a listen and be sure to hit me up with your own recommendations on the Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/activelistener), on the blog at http://activelisteneraaron.blogspot.com, or even by email at activelistenerpodcast@gmail.com. Reach out. This is all about music discovery.

Videos

- Example of Mamady Keita with traditional drum ensemble (link)

- Ballet National du Senegal recorded by camcorder (link)

- Highlights from a European ballet based on Senegalese ballet (link)

Thanks for listening and don't forget to support the artists,

Aaron

Direct Download Link

Tracklist

1. Olantungi Sun Song by Budhi Harlow on Djembe Classics

2. Sinte by Budhi Harlow on Konkoba: Dance of the Forest

3. Sunu - Diansa by Mamady Keita on Nankama

4. Le Serpent by Guem on Percussions Africanines Pour La Transe