Featured Artists
MODESTE - Guitarist & Singer
- "Outstanding Madagascan guitarist and singer. His dazzling ability makes it sound as if there are three guitarists."
- Andy Kershaw, world music presenter BBC Radio 3
- "Hypnotic looping textures... beautiful melodies... serene voice... magical..."
- Matt Swaine, Songlines
- "We're exceptionally lucky to have a musician as talented as Modeste."
- Ian Aderson, editor, Roots
- "His smoky-toned voice dance across the skipping rhythms and beats unrivalled infectiousness"
- The Independent
After six months in Madagascar, Modeste is back on Tour. He will be performing songs from the old albums as well as the new one, with the new 4-piece band featuring musicians from the recording sessions.
BOLD AS LOVE - a tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Bold as Love plays the music of Jimi Hendrix without copying his live or recorded performances note for note. Instead they take the basic structure of the song, and then add their own interpretations. All three members are "experienced" and bring a wide range of their own influences to the band. That's the reason why their tribute to Hendrix is the best you'll hear.
TOOFAN - Togo band
TOOFAN creates an unique musical landscape fusing funk, reggae, R&B, and hip hop alongside African music and rhythms. TOOFAN BOYS passion for music light up the stage as the group's inspiration is from each unique & individual member who constitute this fine & vibrant band. These Chaps will CHACK & ROCK You!!!
The Boys performances are truly unique and inspiring, and have enthralled audiences in Africa and abroad. Now they are back for their 2008 European Tour stronger than ever.
MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE - Band
MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE was formed in 2004 by TJ 'Axeman' Johnson as an outlet for a new kind of music with a recipe you will never have heard of before. You'll find some funk with a hint of jazz, soul with a dash of Latin, all mixed with rock and generous helpings of funk. It's a recipe that varies from track to track, giving a big nod to music of the past but with eyes firmly fixed on the future.
Miscarriage of Justice's self-titled album gives a new spin on issues like love, hate, religion, and tributes to true to life 'miscarriages of justice' that span all classes, races and ages - from the untimely death of Jill Dando to the still unsolved kidnapping of Ames Glover. But you won't hear them preaching - the varied subjects for MOFJ's cool instrumentals and vocal numbers will just make you think a little.
BRAVO BRAVO - Steel Pan
An Internationally Known Steel Pan Player
Since leaving Trinidad, Bravo has recorded steel pan on albums with artists as diverse as Winifred Atwell and Morcheeba. With the prestigious Pan Am North Stars he has played at world venues like Carnegie Hall. As a founder member of Twentieth Century Steel Band he recorded two albums as lead pan with United Artists including the cult classic track Heaven and Hell on the seminal album Cold Steel, Warm Heart.
Bravo-Bravo's latest album, Small Talk fuses two traditions of Africa and the Caribbean in an innovative and contemporary way.
- "The meeting of the Trinidadian Calypsonian and a Senegalese Griot and the result is really rather remarkable�It really worked those two instruments (the steel pan and kora) coming together."
- Andy Kershaw BBC Radio 3
- "Small Talk. One of this year's pleasanter surprises"
- FRoots Magazine
ALETIA UPSTAIRS - Folk Jazz
South Africa's mixture of Michael Bublé, Edith Piaf & Marlene Dietrich
It's always nice to hear something different, and she is Aletia Upstairs. This bewitching femme fatale sings in 10 languages, has a theatre background and has a wide interest in the music of diverse cultures. Her new album Possibility is Folk Jazz with elements of World Music and Cabaret, and was written, composed and produced by Ms Upstairs.
The soothing melodies by this impressive female artist are a real treat. Her new album has received interest from Heart FM executives as well as Bush Radio, with regular airplay on FMR in the jazz slot 7-8pm weekdays. Since her return to the UK in 2008 she has perfored live at venues like PJ`s, Viva Viva, Arts Cellar Club, Cicada and Shackology as well as at events like The Eastern Light Literary Evening at the Waterloo Gallery with poet Nduko Otiono and The Cultural Charity Event for Watoto (orphans in Uganda) and The Darlene Zschech charity Hope for Rwanda.