Cuicani

Committed to creating a sound that pays homage to world and soul music in a riveting, infinitely danceable—yet still utterly original—distillation of those global, cross-cultural currents, Cuicani is a five-member collective of singer-songwriters, community activists and educators. Amidst a growing popular buzz, the quintet makes its first full-length recording debut this month. (Above left to right: Tony Sauza, Marisa Martínez, John Northup and Marlene Beltrán-Cuauhtin. Photo by Farah Sosa)

Like long-time powerhouse Chicana songstress, Irma “Cui Cui” Rangel, known as “Cuicani” for over two decades now in the danza azteca community and in movimiento-era theater, art and music circles, the newly minted ensemble also takes its name from the Nahuatl word for “singer.”

With “mavens” Marlene Beltrán-Cuauhtin and Marisa Martínez on vocals, Tony “Tone-Irie” Sauza on vocals and guitar, Caitlin Moss on drums and John Northup on bass, the millennial band members draw lyrical inspiration from the realities they witness in Los Angeles, the multi-hued, culturally diverse metropolis they each call home.

Formed in 2012, the eclectic ensemble of musicians joined forces specifically—according to those who have followed them from the beginning—to create music and to consolidate their artistic impulses as dedicated agents of social change.

Together, as artists with experience in various disciplines, they have developed songwriting workshops, drum circles, theatre classes, and youth-focused empowerment lectures which have been shared across LA County. As music and arts educators, they work primarily with young people from kindergarten to 12th grade. Collectively, they are committed to developing the next generation of music makers with the object of inspiring growth, enjoyment and healing.

Since their formation four years ago, Cuicani has assembled a body of work that encompasses an innovative series of educational curricula and a repertoire of songs that have now been collected as a debut double album titled Now & Then. The unique blend of musicianship, stage performance and art as community advocacy was released on March 25th at a unique, interdisciplinary arts extravaganza and inter-community celebration held in the North East LA neighborhood of Eagle Rock.

A 16-track double album, Now & Then is a product of Cuicani’s work in threedistinct studio sessions, says Veronica González, a spokesperson for the group.

“The first one took place at Coney Island Studios under the supervision of Grammy-winning percussionist and engineer Alberto López, who plays with both Quetzal and Jungle Fire, two bands that have set the contemporary standard for the loosely defined ‘East Side’ musical renaissance,” says González. Quetzal Flores, a Grammy Award recipient and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed band that bears his name, oversaw the second studio session, she notes with enthusiasm.

“For the last session, they booked 54 East Sound Studios and recorded with producer and songwriter London Parker McWhorter on the mixing board,” González continues. Now & Then, she explains, also represents two phases of the band’s career—early material makes up the first half of the album, thus the reference to “Then” in the album’s title. The second disc in the two-CD set, delivers more recent songwriting efforts, the music they are making “now.” The album, as a whole takes listeners on a blood-pumping journey through a range of world, soul, Latin, and Afro-Caribbean sounds that include reggae, dancehall, cumbia, timba, son, rock and blues.

The songs are informed by themes of cultural identity, working-class struggles, community empowerment, heartbreak, love, and unity, while never veering far from a thread that is at once uplifting and upbeat.

Now & Then opens with “They Say,” a rousing testament to the perennial, cross-border, trans-Atlantic allure of ska as a musical idiom featuring Sauza on lead vocals. The song is a paean to love and hope as antidotes to hardship and tragedy. It is followed by a rhythmic, reggae-inflected number titled “New Day,” written during a New Year’s Eve celebration in the months right after Cuicani was formed. The track embodies the excitement that accompanies the genesis of something new and promising.

The second disc opens with a piece that harks back to old-school ’50s R&B and aptly dubbed “For Them Now.” The song is highlighted by compelling, soulful vocals provided by Martínez and lyrics that underscore the urgent need for more black and brown unity. Beltrán-Cuauhtin follows suit in this vein, riding the groove as she belts out the lyrics to “Mama,” an unapologetic, obvious soul song, with unmatched ferocity. The track is punctuated by environmentally conscious lyrics that argue for taking a stand against water privatization and corporate greed.

“Free As A Dove” is a blues-rock anthem for rebellious hearts with the courage to break free from the constrictive restraints of stagnant relationships and societal shackles which limit personal freedom and growth. Now & Then closes with “Money,” a satin-smooth tune that unfurls like sweet liquid through Martínez’s vocal stylings. The song recommends we abandon the stress and pressure of life in pursuit of material gain for a more natural and cooperative and consequently happier, more fulfilled existence.

The album release party, a sold-out affair which took place the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, included an art installation and companion workshop that revolved around concepts of home as imagined by a multi-generational group of LA Chicana artists, among them: acclaimed altarista Ofelia Esparza, a widely acknowledged honorary madrina to countless East LA artists who embrace Chicanismo as an aesthetic exercise and an ethnic identity; her daughter Rosanna Esparza-Ahrens, a renowned artist, curator and arts advocate in her own right; and Mujeres de Maíz co-founder as well as interdisciplinary/multi-media artist Felicia Montes. The three were joined by a number of notable artists who fuse public and socio-political activism with personal aesthetics, formal concerns personal issues within in their work.

“Entre Mujeres,” an all-womyn musical collaborative stemming from an album project titled Entre Mujeres: Translocal Musical Dialogues, developed by music scholar Dr. Martha González, performed a short set as a compliment to the screening of a mini-documentary on the making of the Entre Mujeres record.Gonzalez was born into what some have referred to as the first family of Chicano music in LA and is the front-woman for Quetzal, the band she co-founded with partner Quetzal Flores.

The evening culminated with a rare, not-to-be-missed hometown performance by Quetzal which was then be followed by a rousing headliner performance by Cuicani, joined for individual tunes by several special guests, Quetzal Flores and Marisa Ronstadt being just two of the group's favorite collaborators.

A natural extension of the artivist elders, legendary East Side musical pioneers and community organizers under whose guidance and leadership Cuicani members have blossomed and gained firm footing in an already fertile musical hotbed, the five artists who comprise the nascent musical outfit want to honor those who have encouraged, nurtured, inspired and educated them, suggests publicist Veronica González. “They are thrilled to share a vision and a musical legacy rooted in equality, humility, a commitment to social justice, respect for human rights, gender parity and unabashed humanitarian values,” she says.

“The event was a stellar example of what can happen when artists gather to nurture and love one another and divest themselves of the music industry pitfalls that often accompany sudden success,” González observed. - Brooklyn & Boyle by Abel Salas

What to do when your eclectic neighborhood music festival grows so popular that its success threatens to alienate the very people it’s intended to celebrate? In the case of Eagle Rock Music Festival, which launched in 1998, the answer was to regroup, downscale and rededicate.

In recent years ERMF attendance numbers hit six digits, which presented uncomfortable challenges for the community-oriented event. Last year it was postponed as organizers took time out to consult with entities including the Los Angeles City Council, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and Occidental College to study various ways to keep it healthy yet still responsive to the local citizens and businesses it was created to serve. Thus the shift from its usual early-October slot to this Saturday — presumably a more family-friendly date — and a strong lineup of mostly homegrown soul, funk, rock and world artists.

They’re headed up by self-described “road dogs” Orgone, a formidable instrumental octet elevated by showstopping frontwoman Adryon de León; her dynamic vocal attack injects human drama into take-no-prisoners soul-funk jammers like “When Someone’s Love is Real” and “Down Down Down.” Orgone shares headliner status with Dengue Fever, one of the most distinctive bands to ever emerge from LA thanks to their inventive crosswiring of surf, psychedelia, indie-rock and pre-Khmer Rouge Cambodian rock, all wrapped in Chhom Nimol’s entrancing vocals.

Also likely to get audiences grooving: 10-piece funk-West African-Caribbean collective Jungle Fire; potent “alt-soul” sextet WeAreTheBigBang; Boogaloo Assassins’ undeniable Latin funk; cumbia ensemble La Chamba, celebrating their trippy Peruvian chicha-style single “Marea de Lumbre”; electronic jazz beat sculptor Mark de Clive-Lowe; gotta-see-’em-to-believe-’em Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble Batala; and Reverend Tall Tree, the bluesman alter ego of galvanizing soul/R&B singer Chris Pierce, a nondenominational “actual reverend” who was given the name “Tall Tree” as a youth by a Native American elder. Pierce and his rocking trio will be trying out new material for their next album on the Americana Stage at the Women’s 20th Century Club, which will also host don’t-miss sets from Leftover Cuties, kicking up heels to their new single “If You Want the Rainbow,” and acoustic trio Harrison, Lipka & Winsor, featuring Get Down Boys bassist Evan Winsor.

In sync with the spirit of the festival, some groups were brought together by community connections, including Jones, an acoustic trio comprised of National steel guitarist Dan Marfisi, singer/actress Heather Marsden and Pasadena-based cellist Cameron Stone; they’ll be performing on the Blues and Jazz Stage at Colombo’s. Other local favorites: socially conscious “world-soul” collective Cuicani; tasty jazz-funk fusion octet Genr8r; and cosmic-minded harpist/keyboardist Low Leaf, nee Angelica-Marie Lopez. Not often seen on local stages, the charmingly intense Lopez will be joined by the Ascension Crew for one of the festival’s more anticipated sets on the Experimental Stage.

Presented by LA District 14 Councilmember José Huizar and produced by the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, ERMF remains family-friendly and free. However, a new ticket package signals a desire for the fest to raise more funds for local arts programs. This year, pre-sale and VIP ticket packages offer options such as fast-track entry, a digitally downloaded mixtape, a VIP viewing area and limited-edition T-shirts. All donations — i.e., funds from ticket purchases — will support the “transformative arts experiences” that Center for the Arts Eagle Rock provides for Northeast LA schoolkids, families and residents.

Art and food vendors will be on hand, and this year’s festival will also feature a Comedy Stage at the Coffee Table hosting nine standup comics and comedy writers for shows like “Funny or Die” and “Parks and Recreation.” The ERMF Facebook page also announced that LA Department of Water & Power reps will be converting designated Colorado Boulevard fire hydrants into refilling stations for festival-goers with empty water bottles — itself a cause for celebration in steamy August temps.

The 17th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival takes place 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at various stages along Colorado Boulevard between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Argus Drive, Eagle Rock. Tickets: Admission is free, but a $10 pre-sale donation gets a fast-track entry pass plus a music mix download, and $20 gains you access to a VIP viewing area plus a festival T-shirt. All donations support Center for the Arts Eagle Rock’s Imagine Studio arts education programs for Northeast LA kids. For more info, visit eaglerockmusicfestival.org.

SATURDAY’S LINEUP

Orgone, Dengue Fever, Jungle Fire, Tutu Sweeney and the Brothers Band, Swarvy and Batala on the Center Stage

La Chamba, Boogaloo Assassins, Cuicani, Kotolan and Entre Mujeres on the Subtropical Stage

Mark de Clive-Lowe, Low Leaf and the Ascension Crew, Dhara World Music, Genr8r and Sin Color on the Experimental Stage

Reverend Tall Tree, Leftover Cuties, We the Folk, Harrison, Lipka & Winsor and Mostly Kosher on the Americana Stage

Suzy MacReady and the Book She Likes to Ready from Eastside Theater Works, Noches de Trova (“host troubadours” Esteban Leon, Tomas Cadena and Jorge Negrete), Tim Griffin, Dahli Mamas and Dahli Papas on the Family Stage

Strangers on a Saturday Night, Edith Crash, Fernanda Ulibarri, Dan Olivo and Jones on the Blues and Jazz Stage

WeAreTheBigBang, Sugar Rum Tantrum, Paper Pilots, Salt Petal and the V.U. on the Emerging Stage

Erik Escobar, Adam Cozens, Helen Hong, Lou DiMaggio, Greg Santos, Amanda Cohen, Joe Sib, Stephanie Clark and Justin Wood on the Comedy Stage

Plus DJs Phatrick, Seano, Expo and La Junta Sound System - Pasadena Weekly by Bliss Bowen

Cuicani is Marlene Beltran-Cuauhtin and Marisa Martinez (The Mavens) on lead vocals, Tony Sauza (Tone-Irie) on vocals and guitar, Caitlin Moss on drums, and John Northup on bass. Cuicani’s sound combines soul, reggae, latin, funk and world music influenced by artists like Bob Marley, Santana, and Chaka Kahn.

The band has completed its debut album Now & Then (a 2-CD title), produced by Cuicani and Quetzal Flores (founder of GRAMMY winning band Quetzal). Now & Then is set to release on March 25th, and on that day, there will be a special release celebration at Center for the Arts Eagle Rock.

The community-focused event will include an art installation and workshop celebrating the home as imagined by Ofelia Esparza, Rosanna Esparza, Felicia Montes and other notable Eastside artists, as well as a performance by Entre Mujeres as part of the screening of the mini-documentary on the making of the Entre Mujeres: Translocal Musical Dialogues album project by Professor Martha Gonzalez, front-woman of the band Quetzal. Quetzal will perform, followed by the headlining concert by Cuicani.

For Them Now is a show of alliance with the individuals living on the frontlines of the current struggles existing within black and brown communities in the US. today, as well as across borders. Also, this song acts as a call for black and brown unity in the face of prejudice. Specifically, “For Them Now,” talks about how although the state and police violence experienced in both communities may look different at times, these experiences are inevitably part of the same struggle. “For Them Now” uses narratives from the lives of brown and black individuals to speak out against racist and anti-immigrant policies and beliefs existent within U.S. culture, as well as its justice system. The lyric “For Them Now” is calling for us to create a better future for our children now, so they won’t have to suffer the same prejudices our generation has. Ultimately this song is coming from a place of deep love for humanity, and the potential is has to rise above hate and bias through shifts in our collective consciousness. Speaking out against racism, hate, violence, and bias is loving work that heals all as it raises awareness. That is what we are aiming to do with this video; raise awareness, heal, and express our deep love for human life.
Cuicani (kwi-kani) is a collective of singer-songwriters paying homage to world and soul music. The five-piece group draws influences from the sights and sounds of Los Angeles, the multi-cultural metropolis that the band calls home. Formed in 2012, Cuicani’s members joined forces not only to create music, but to serve as dedicated agents of social change. Collectively, they have developed songwriting workshops, drum circles, theatre classes, and other empowerment lectures for their local communities. As music and arts educators working with youth from K through 12th grades, all Cuicani members have been dedicated to developing the next generation of music makers with the intention of inspiring growth, enjoyment and healing. - Gypset Magazine - by Diana Carolina

Cuicani is a singer-songwriter’s collective comprised of five Los Angeles based musicians. The music of Cuicani features the talented Mavens: Marlene Beltran Cuauhtin and Marisa Martinez, who provide rich vocals and harmonies along with Tony “Tone-Irie” Sauza on vocals and guitar. I spoke with Marlene, Marisa and Tony on a series of steps in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

In their own words, "The word “Cuicani” is a Nahuatl word that means “Singer.” We chose this name because we felt it evoked the importance of exercising one’s voice, and also of giving a voice to the voiceless. Established in 2012, Cuicani’s eclectic mix of members reflects the diversity of the city it calls home. In our three years together we have written and recorded over 15 original songs with themes such as: environmental justice, immigration rights, and protesting police brutality. "

Not surprisingly I was drawn to their sound and mission. A release celebration will be held on the album’s launch day at Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. The community-focused event will include an art installation and workshop celebrating the home as imagined by Ofelia Esparza, Rosanna Esparza, Felicia Montesand other notable Eastside artists, as well as a performance by Entre Mujeres as part of the screening of the mini-documentary on the making of the Entre Mujeres: Translocal Musical Dialogues album project by Professor Martha Gonzalez, front-woman of the GRAMMY® winning band Quetzal. Special guest band Quetzal performs followed by the headlining concert by Cuicani.

Now & Then is a 16-track double album that reflects Cuicani’s work in three distinct studio sessions, the first at Coney Island Studios with Grammy® winning percussionist/engineer Alberto Lopez (member of Quetzal and Jungle Fire), the second with Grammy® winning producer/musician Quetzal Flores (founder of Quetzal), and the last at 54 East Sound Studios with producer/songwriter London Parker McWhorter. Now & Then also represents two phases of the band’s career—early work makes up the first half of the album titled “Then,” and the second disc includes the recently written “Now” tracks. The album takes you through a range of world, soul, Latin, and Afro-Caribbean sounds that include reggae, dancehall, cumbia, timba, son, rock, and blues. The songs circle around themes of cultural identity, struggle of the working class, empowering community, heartbreak, love, and unity, while maintaining an uplifting sound and flow. - El Huataque - Filiberto Nolasco Gomez

6:00am
Eli West “Give Me Your Love & I'll Give You Mine (Instrumental)”
from The Both ALBUM (Eli West 2016) N
6:05am
Bibio “Why So Serious? (feat. Olivier St.Louis)”
from A Mineral Love ALBUM (Warp 2016) N
6:10am
Cuicani “Ain't No Sunshine”
from Now And Then: Music from the Motion Picture ALBUM (CMC 2015) N
6:15am
Ceu “Perfume do Invisível”
from Ceu Tropix ALBUM (Six Degrees 2016) N
6:24am
Hammock “She Was in the Field Counting Stars”
from Everything and Nothing ALBUM (Hammock Music 2016) N
6:27am
Allen Stone “I Know That I Wasn't Right”
from Radius ALBUM (ATO Records 2016) N
6:34am
Anoushka Shankar “Crossing The Rubican”
from Land of Gold ALBUM (Deutsche Grammophon 2016) N

6:49am
Summer Cannibals “Go Home”
from Full of It ALBUM (Kill Rock Stars 2016)

6:52am
Oscar “Be Good”
from Cut and Paste ALBUM (Wichita Recordings Ltd 2016) N

6:55am
And The Kids “Picture”
from Friends Share Lovers ALBUM (Signature Sounds Recordings 2016) N
6:59am
Tomemitsu “Can't Stop Thinking”
from Loaf Eye ALBUM (Chill Mega Chill 2016) N

7:02am
Alma Afrobeat Ensemble “Live and Let's Live”
from It's Time ALBUM (Slow Walk Music 2016) N

7:11am
3 Leg Torso “Bill's Last Adventure”
from Astor In Paris ALBUM (Meester Records 2003)
7:18am
Ancient Astronauts “Peace In The East (featuring Entropik)”
from Into Bass and Time ALBUM (ESL 2011)

7:27am
Tanya Donelly “Christopher Street”
from Swan Song Series COMP (American Laundromat Records 2016) N

7:31am
The Last Shadow Puppets “Used to Be My Girl”
from Everything You've Come to Expect ALBUM (Domino Recording Co 2016) N

7:34am
Methyl Ethel “Rogues”
from Oh Inhuman Spectacle ALBUM (Dot Dash Recordings 2015) N

7:38am
SULK “No Illusions” ALBUM (Perfect Sound Forever Records 2016) N

7:41am
Sonny & The Sunsets “Moods”
from Moods Baby Moods ALBUM (Polyvinyl 2016) N

7:49am
Modern Baseball “Everyday”
from Holy Ghost ALBUM (Big Scary Monsters 2016) N

7:52am
Reuben Hollebon “A Hand”
from Terminal Nostalgia ALBUM (Bright Antenna Records 2016) N

7:56am
Robert Rich “Voice of Rust”
from What We Left Behind ALBUM (Soundscape Productions 2016) N

8:02am
Calliope Musicals “Morning Ground”
from Time Owes You Nothing ALBUM (Calliope Musicals 2016) N

8:05am
Foxtails Brigade “Perfect Execution”
from Foxtails Brigade ALBUM (OIM Records 2016) N

8:11am
Holy Wave “Air Wolf”
from Freaks of Nurture ALBUM (Reverberation Appreciation Society 2016) N
8:17am
Hot Rush “Mannequin Society”
from Hot Rush Lives ALBUM (self-released 2016) N
8:23am
Charles Bradley “Changes” ALBUM (Daptone 2016) N
8:30am
The Velveteins “Monica Louise”
from A Hot Second with The Velveteins EP (Fierce Panda 2016) N

8:33am
RFA “I'm Not Telling You”
from Something New from RFA EP (n/a 2016) N

8:36am
Kari Faux “This Right Here”
from Lost En Los Angeles ALBUM (Wolf & Rothstein 2016) N
8:39am
Common “Make My Day”
from Universal Mind Control ALBUM (Geffen 2008)

8:43am
Tacocat “Men Explain Things to Me”
from Lost Time ALBUM (Hardly Art 2016) N

8:45am
Nada Surf “Friend Hospital”
from You Know Who You Are ALBUM (Barsuk 2016) N

8:50am
Black Angel “Happy Days”
from Go, Bernie, Go EP (self-released 2015) N

8:54am
Fenster “True Love”
from The Pink Caves ALBUM (Morr Music 2016) N - KAOS Olympia

Adan & Xavi Y Los Imanes | Adan & Xavi Y Los Imanes | Everloving
Afrika Mamas | Afrika Mamas | ARC
Algo Salvaje Vol. 2: Untamed 60s Beat And Garage Nuggets From Spain | (various artists) | Vampisoul
Amanar | Tumastin | Sahelsounds
Anwandter, Alex | "Siemple Es Viernes En Mi Corazon" | Nacional
Arita | "Good Man" | VPAL
Atakoglu, Fahir | Live At Umbria Jazz | Far & Here
Avataar | Petal | self-released
Balkan Beat Box | "I Trusted U" | self-released
Banks, Omari | "Me & You" | VPAL
Banton, Pato | "Zion Way" | Zionway
Beautiful Nubia & The Roots Renaissance Band | Taabaku | EniObanke
Best Of Cuba | (various artists) | ARC
Black Album, The (5 tracks) | (various artists) | Calibud Music
Brazilian Jazz, The Rough Guide To | (various artists) | World Music Network
Brothers Of The Baladi | Gravity Of Love | Baladi Productions
Buttery, Guy | Guy Buttery | self-released
Calentura: Global Bassment | (various artists) | Fania
Carandos, Las | "Guerrilha" | Projecto Cardo
Carlo, Ismael "East" | Provocateur | Café Con Bagels
Celtic Voyage | (various artists) | ARC
Ceu | Tropix | Six Degrees
Coeur De Pirate | Roses | Dare To Care
Cometa | Jogada Senil | Nublu
Cuicani | Now & Then | self-released
Dactah Chando | "Positivo" | Achinech Productions
Debo Band | Ere Gobez | FPE
Deep Street Soul | Come Alive! | Freestyle
Desechables | Golpe Tras Golpe | Munster
Diamusk | "Brotherhood" | Fjord Sound
Dieuf-Dieul De Thies | Aw Sa Yone Vol. 2 | Teranga Beat
Diouf, Elage | Melokaane | Pump Up The World
Divanhana | Zukva | ARC
Djokla | "Yemistikri" | Oujasav Productions
Dread Daze | Guidance And Direction (2 tracks) | Rebel Sound
Driscoll, Joe & Sekou Kouyate | "Tokira" | Cumbancha
Dubioza Kolektiv | Happy Machine | Koolarrow
Echocentrics, The feat James Petralli | "Staring At The Ceiling" | Nacional
El Dusty feat MLKMN & Happy Colors | "We Out Chea" | AfterCluv Dance Lab - Meccalani
El Mato A Un Policia Motorizado | Violencia | Nacional
Faith i Branko | Gypsy Lover | Riverboat
Fatou Seidi Ghali & Alamnou Akrouni | Les Filles De Illaghadad | Sahelsounds
Foster, Chuck | Looks Like Trouble | Catch Me Time
Fred Locks Meets David O. | Time To Shine | Duplex Music
Fumaca Preta | "Baldonero" | Soundway
Gappy Ranks | "Guide Me" | Cr203
General Degree | "You Me Come Fa" (No Apology riddim) | Gafjam
Green, The | "Promised Land" | VP
Guincho, El | "Hiperasia" | Nacional
Hacheros, Los | Bambulaye | Chulo
House Of Shem | "Jah Love" | Rebel Sound
Humble | "Old Time Days" | Box Lunch Production
Imarhan | "Imarhan" / "Assossamagh" | City Slang
Inna Vision | "Prosper And Earn" | Roots Musician
Jah9 | "Bloody City" | VP
Joseph Israel feat Gentleman & Tarrus Riley | "People Need Hope" | Lions Of Israel
Karikatura | Speak Now | Ropeadope
Kel Assouf | "Toumast" | Igloo
Kenyatta, Appah | Joy And Love | Lifeforce Jazz
King Mas | "Ocean Of Emotion" | Nature's Way Entertainment
Laguna Pai | Resiliencia | self-released
Maalouf, Ibrahim | Kalthoum | Impulse
Malayky | Radykal Roots | Rebel Sound
Martin, Christopher | "Under The Influence" | VP
McCalla, Leyla | A Day For The Hunter, A Day For The Prey | Jazz Village
McGregor, Freddie | "True To My Roots" | Big Ship Music
Melome, Amana | Lock & Key - The Remixes | Mashibeats
Mexrrissey | No Manchester | Nacional
Mighty Mystic | The Art Of Balance | Roots Musician
Moken | Chapters Of My Life | Bantu
Movement, The | Golden | Rootfire Cooperative
Musique A Bouches | Jusqu'aux Oreilles | Disques Passeport
Namtchylak, Sainkho | Like A Bird Or Spirit, Not A Face | Ponderosa Music & Art
Natty Nation | Divine Spark | iNatty
Orquesta Sinfonietta, La | Canto America | Patois
Palma, Triston | Lifetime | Rebel Sound
Perez, Cristian | Anima Mundi | self-released
Protoje | "Who Knows" (Shy FX remix) | Mr Bongo
Protoje | Ancient Future | Mr Bongo
Raichel, Idan | At The Edge Of The Beginning | Cumbancha
Ras Lion | "One Day" | MSF Music
Renaud | "Toujours Debout" | Parlophone
Roots Of Creation | "Struggle" | Bombshelter
Runkus | Move In | Oneness
Sachel Ensemble, The | Song Of Lahore | Universal Music Classics
Samson Y Hiss | Circus Screams | self-released
Senegal 70: Sonic Gems & Previously Unreleased Recordings From The 70's | (various artists) | Analog Africa
Shadow | "Killing Me" | INTL BLK
Shankar, Anoushka | Land Of Gold | Deutsche Grammophon
Shankar, Ravi | In Hollywood, 1971 | Northern Spy
Shokazoba | One Destiny | self-released
Silva | Jupiter | Six Degrees
Sissoko, Baba | "Il Faut Pas Ecouter" | Blind Faith
Sky Family, The | Celtic Revival! | self-released
Snarky Puppy | Family Dinner, Volume 2 | Universal Music Classics
Soul Sok Sega: Sega Sounds From Mauritius 1973-1979 | (various artists) | Strut
Spruddy | One | Ockolicious
St Germain | Sittin' Here & Real Blues Remixes | Parlophone
Sultans Of String with Anwar Khurshid | Subcontinental Drift | McKhool
Svard, Robert 'Robi' | Pa'ki Pa'ka | Asphalt Tango
Tibbs, The | "Next Time" / "The Story Goes" | Record Kicks
TisDass | Yamedan | Sahelsounds
Toke | "Frizzle" | Bassplate
Toke | Troddin' With A Vision | Boomrush Productions
Unified Highway | Unified Highway | Audible Collision / Strange Focus
Watanabe, Kaoru | Neo | self-released
Who Is John Smith | Go To Fly | self-released
XIXA | Bloodline | Barbes
Yalomba, Adama | Waati Sera | Studio Mali
Young, E.N | Call On Me | Roots Musician - Global A Go Go

Latin Hemispheres with Carlos G. Charles

Nicola Cruz – Prender El Alma Remixed (ZZK)
Alex Anwandter – Amiga (Nacional)
Gepe – Estilo Libre (Quemasucabeza)
El Guincho – Hyperasia (Nacional)
Sidestepper – Supernatural Love (Real World)
Mexrrissey – No Manchester (Nacional)
El Mato A Un Policia Motorizado – Violencia (Nacional)
Céu – Tropix (Six Degrees)
Cuicani – Now and Then (CMC)
Santana – Santana IV (Santana IV/Thirty Tigers) - KDHX

Coming up this week on Feminist Magazine with hosts Lynn Harris Ballen and Felicia Montes :
We talk with Third Woman Press members Sara Ramirez and Mariana Lui about the revitalization of the feminist press, their work and their upcoming publications.
… THEN … Iris de Anda of La Banda Elastica Radio interviews Mujeres de Maiz who share their experience and methods behind their 19 years of women’s holistic artivist work. We talk with their cofounder more about the herstory and importance of the group, then and now.
… PLUS .. we are joined live in studio by members of singer-songwriters collective Cuicani -- Misa Della and Caitlin Moss. And hear from them about the group’s debut double album “Now & Then” and their upcoming CD release concert and exhibit at Center For The Arts Eagle Rock.
Hear about all this and more On Tuesday at 3 - THIS is what Feminism Sounds Like! - Feminist Magazine

Two CDs with songs from 3 recording sessions from this five-member band from LA. CD1 (Then) is earlier material with classic reggae, dancehall, & cumbia, while CD2 (Now) includes folk, soul, blues, & pop. - WRUV - 90.1 FM