Ben Elvin
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So, here is a different type of pop music; pop, being used liberally.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948-1997) is a Pakistani Qawwali singer. He has been called the emperor of Qawwali, and carried on a 600 year family tradition, by singing in this style.
A friend of Peter Gabriel, and passionate cricket fan (Good man!!), he is more than likely the only Qawwali singer to penetrate the western market. He has even been featured in the movie soundtracks to 'The last temptation of christ', and, 'Natural born killers'. As well as, a couple of Bollywood soundtracks.
Not only was he a great composer, he also adapted his performances everywhere he went. Immersing himself in the musical culture of the country he was in. Listening to all he could to find the popular melodies and progressions, adapting his performances to suit.
Named by Time magazine as one it's 60th anniversary 'Asian Hero's'. And a massive influence on Jeff Buckley. His rhythms have had a far reach, albeit, a subtle one.
Nusrat is a man that everyone should know about. Hopefully this will of encouraged those who don't, to explore him a little. And for those who already do know of him: Dust off those records.
Enjoy.
Outright I will say that this post is inspired by the Saul Williams video on the mog front page. I'm a massive fan of saul williams... probably my favourite rapper. So I decided to share another of my favourite rappers, Blak Twang.
When I started this post I decided to see if anyone had written any previous posts. There were no songs, no posts and only three other people, besides myself, listening. I understand that his work is not seminal, groundbreaking, or phenomenal. However it is most defiantly worth listening too; up there with Roots Manuva
Blak Twang's sound has been underground for years. Although saying this he has had four albums; two of which got published (unfortunately there were label troubles in the beginning) and received decent amounts of air play. So why is he still left in the shade?
One reason for this is probably the limited scene for hip hop within Great Britain (please feel free to dispute this). Grime and Roots Manuva have become so big that Twang is overlooked.
He has won a MOBO (Music Of Black Origin), a Kora award, a World underground music award, and nominated by U.S magazine The Source for best international hip hop act. Quite a repertoire for someone with only four listeners on mog.
So any hip hop fans, Source readers, or lovers of beats, look up Blak Twang and enjoy.
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I haven't posted in a while due to a broken hard drive. But I just re-discovered a talent I thought was lost.
I watched this glastonbury footage last year on tv, immediately tried to download some Shlomo, but failed to find any. More than likely my fault, as I thought it was spelt Schlomo. Never-mind.
So, when I came across him again (while looking up Bill Bailey of all people) I ceased the opportunity.
Shlomo is a human beatbox from Buckinghamshire, who has spent most of his adult life in Leeds. While in Leeds he has formed his own group The Foreign Beggars, and made a huge impact on the global beatbox scene. Shlomo has created his own world in which he multi-layers his beats (a reasonably new addition) and also uses (quite famously) two microphones.
One of the biggest credits to his name is performing on Bjork's totally vocal album Medulla. The track Oceana was not just an honour because it was a Bjork track. It was commissioned by the Olympic committee and played at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic games. Making him probably the most heard beatboxer of all time.
I'm hoping that this lad makes even more of a name for himself than he already has. He has taken a something generally reserved for a party trick, and taken it to a new level of art. Especially if you have seen his performance with The Beatbox Choir.
So go check him out, if ever he is near your town get there. Or go and indulge on the limited work at Shlo.co.uk
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Wow, that's a large man