ITAL LION DISTRIBUTION

The Hardest Working Distributor Around Town

Vieux Farka Toure at Jazz Cafe – Review

Posted by ILD 2009 on May 24, 2009

My first time at the Jazz Cafe couldn’t have been for a better performance. By around 9.00pm, the intimate venue was packed, with each person having just enough space to groove to the pulsating rhythmic expression that is Vieux Farka Toure.

vieux farka toure jazz cafe

I had been listening to his father Ali Farka Toure for some time now, and it is definitely true when they say that every generation builds on what has been handed down to them, and Vieux Farka Toure is no exception.

Every string on his guitar was struck with skilful yet effortless and often very playful precision, and it wasn’t surprising to see the crowd whipped up in a euphoric frenzy after every piece. The entire gig was like a musical theatre, each band member playing a decisive role in captivating the audience, with an electrifying performance on every instrument. Even though it went without saying, the presenter still mentioned that this was the best gig so far in the string of events to commemorate the Songlines Magazine 10th anniversary.

vieux farka toure and band at jazz cafe

“Are you okay?” he would say after every song, which was received by an uproar of praise every single time.

I must admit, I am a very big but very recent fan of Mali music. I have been listening to the likes of Oumou Sangare, Ali Farka Toure, and Toumani Diabate, and I have been craving to witness this beautiful music performed live ever since. Vieux has definitely quenched that thirst, but unfortunately, it’s the morning after now, and I have been left wanting more.

For now, his latest album Fondo is keeping me going. For me, this album, and Vieux’s music, like many other post-colonial African singers, is an embodiment of modern Africa. As all disciplined and obedient children, modern Africa has still maintained its traditional foundation, which is very clear in his music, with songs like Wale. But the revolution that brings forward that change with every generation is also very evident in tunes like Diaraby Magni, in which the vibration of reggae is ever so present. It can be said that Vieux is his father’s son, but he is surely not his father.

And if like me, you’re enchanted by the instrumental elegance of Vieux Farka Toure and the many musicians like him, it might be a good idea to invest in some simple and easy to follow  Video Lessons on how to play the guitar, bass, drums and piano – that’s an entire band taken care of.  And while you’re at it, why not use this quick and easy way to Learn to Speak French.

vieux farka toure fondo album

Buy Vieux Farka Toure - Fondo for just ÂŁ7.98

Posted in Music | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

SOULCIAL – What a night

Posted by ILD 2009 on May 11, 2009

And to think I almost didn’t make it to this gig on Sunday night. At first I thought it was just a one-off event, but I’m glad to know that there’s a whole movement behind it, backed by some of the UK’s most talented musicians and poets.

I was blessed with a night of some great performances, most notably for me, my bredrin Amen Noir, who is undoubtedly my one of my favourite spoken word artists.

soulcial amen noir

But the show-stealer for the night was definitely Indigo Brown, the acoustic soul act from London town.

I met up a bredrin I went to school with before the show, and he told me he came to support his cousin who was performing, and boy, what a performance it was. Actually, I’ll tell you what kind it was – the kind you take home with you, tell your friends about, and write about it on your blog.

soulcial indigo brown

And just in case you think these two bear any resemblence to a particular UK act, then trust me, witnessing is knowing. Once you see them perform, then the difference is quite clear, and it’s safe to say that Indigo Brown is on course to filling the gap that this particular and very amazing group left when they split up.

There were a whole lot of great performances, including a poet by the name of Deanna Rodger, LeeN, SuperSoul Brother Del, and Floetic Lara, who is launching her album at the Halo Bar in Battersea at the end of the month.

The host for the night was MC Fontz, the Fresh Prince of London, with the high top fade look to match – truly an entertaining brother

Trust me when I tell you, I can’t remember the last time I spent a better ÂŁ5.

Nuff love and prosperity Soulcial – keep the fire burning

Ital Lion Distribution

Posted in 1 | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Jason Obaseki at Southbank

Posted by ILD 2009 on May 3, 2009

On my way to the Afrika Market Fair in Covent Garden, I was lured to the South Bank by the enchanting sounds of drumming, and like a mouse led by the pied piper, I went to check it out.

African Drummers

African drummers dancing

The battery on my camera was about to die, so I made my way through the crowd and took these pictures. I didn’t get a chance to ask them their names or get any contact details, but I’m sure I’ll see them again – after all, this is what summer on the South Bank is famous for.

The highlight of the South Bank yesterday however, was the pencil portaits of a brother by the name of Jason Obaseki. A self-employed artist who does amazingly captivating art work in pencil charcoal, pastels oils and acrylic.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, so I’ll let these pictures say the rest.

obama, JFK, malcolm X, martin luther king

ghandi, nelson mandela, martin luther king

Remember I took these pictures with my crappy half-dead camera, so it doesn’t do the artwork the justice it deserves. To see more of his wrok, check out Jason Obaseki’s blog Gift Portraits

At the event, I met up with another artist, Blaize Simon….read more

Posted in Art | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Film Review – Fire Burn Babylon

Posted by ILD 2009 on April 29, 2009

fire burn babylon

Fire Burn Babylon

If it’s one thing I must say, is that this film is a must see for Rases living not just in the UK, but for all that still dwell in the western world. If anything, this documentary portrays if not fully explains the specific reason why Rases have and continue to relentlessly chant not “Repatriation is an option,” or “Repatriation is a possibility”, but “Repatriation is a MUST”.

If ever again possible, I highly recommend you go to a live screening, where you might have the chance of a Q&A session with the director and cast.

The film engages the idea that Babylon can be a confused state of mind rather than, or including a physical location. It also highlights the importance of identifying the point where you take responsibility for your actions as opposed to casting inappropriate blame.

The idea that Zion, which among Rastafari represents the land of our fore-parents, which is Africa, is a place that will automatically bring forth your righteous spirit, and that bad living (succession of bad habits) is justified whilst living in “Babylon” as this is the “land of confusion” is also challenged by this film. It brings forth the thought that righteousness should be practiced wherever a Ras might dwell, so that when the decision has been made to repatriate, the Ras will be an expert in righteousness, having perfected it whilst in exile.

The sobering moment when a so-called Rastafari man, who is a son of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie the First, a representative of the Almighty on earth, has the mother of his child say to him that she does not want their child to be like him, because of his bad habits, is evidence to the the fact that the full manifestation of the power and specific duty of Rastafari, has not yet materialised for many, many Rases still living in the West.


Please note this is an independent review of the documentary film “Fire Burn Babylon”, and the opinions expressed here are of my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the people involved in its production

Posted in Film | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »