Monday, October 8, 2012

My October 2012 "World" Music and more calendar

DC/Baltimore "World" Music and More- October 2012 UPDATED
Compiled by Steve Kiviat   look for asterisk * for new events I just discover(updated 10-9)

To subscribe-send an e-mail to dcbworld-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To submit events (for posting) or comments (that are not posted)-e-
mail: ritmika (at) hotmail.com
-- -- -- - -- ---- -------- - ---------
International, roots, rap, soul and more at top and
***indie-rock and non-music stuff is at the bottom.
Look for updates and more info at my blog: stevekiviat.blogspot.com
You can sign up on the blog page to get blogposts via email. I also post on the Washington City Paper Arts Desk blog and in their newsprint. And for some tweeting: follow me on twitter @SteveKiviat Also look for the Rolling World Music and the Rolling Latino & Capital swamp threads and more at the ilxor.com I Love Music forum
----------------------------------------------------------
Here's an updated October list
-----------------------------------------------------------
Highlights:
Oct. 3 to 7th-There were lots of great African music events
Oct. 11-Fendika (Ethiopian dancers & singers) at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage
Oct. 19-Joe Bataan at Smithsonian Natural History Museum
Oct. 21-Staff Benda Bililli at Howard (Congolese band)
Oct. 24-Orquesta Aragon (Cuba) at Howard
______________________________________________________
Want to see live music but can't get anyone to go? Here's my unpaid endorsement to check out Meetup.com and join some of the groups including the dive bars one, the aging hipsters into new music one, the various salsa and Brazilian ones, etc.
__________________________________________________________
Mon. Oct. 1

Go-go Allstars with Chuck Brown's band at the Howard

David Byrne & David Lowrey discussion at the Smithsonian Nat. History Baird Aud.

Jovanotti

Los Lobos at the Birchmere __________________________________________________________
Tues. Oct. 2

Ryan Leslie & J. Holiday at the Howard (r'n'b)
__________________________________________________________
Wed. Oct. 3

Blitz the Ambassador (Ghanaian rapper now based in NY) at National Geographic in DC

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico at the Strathmore

Eliane Elias at the Birchmere (Brazilian)

Aeroplane (electronic dance) at Strathmore
__________________________________________________________
Thurs Oct. 4

Sierra Leone-born musician, Sorie Kondi at 9 for free Tropicalia, 2001 14th St NW (below Subway sandwiches) (performing with electrified self-crafted instruments). Afterwards, DJs Underdog (Afrobeat 4 Ya Soul, OkayAfrica) and Mothershiester (Anthology of Booty/SWENKA) will provide Afro-pop and electronica beats.

NEA's annual National Heritage Fellowships Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Lisner Auditorium with bluegrass dobro player Mike Auldridge (a DC native), tejano accordion player Flaco Jiménez, Tidewater gospel quartet the Paschall Brothers, and klezmer musician Andy Statman

Prince Royce at the Fillmore (bachata)

Voices of Strength at Kennedy Center (also on the 5th)

Rupa & the April Fishes at the Atlas Theatre

EL MEDICO: THE CUBATON STORY
Communism and capitalism clash in this multifaceted music doc, alternately thoughtful and thumping. Cuban doctor Raynier Casamayor Griñán, who raps as El Medico, and his European music producer Michel Miglis fight over the way to the top of the Cubaton music scene. El Medico, the son of a Cuban revolutionary, views his music as an authentic expression of his culture and history, while Michel sees him as a product ready for export. Movie at AFI at 9:45

Orchester Prazevica (slovak & gypsy jazz) 6-8pm Donna's Cafe at Cross Keys, Baltimore MD

----------------------------------------------------------
Fri. Oct. 5

Sean Paul at Fillmore (dancehall)

Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi at George Mason Center for the Arts (also on Saturday; and on Sunday in Manassas)

Fatoumata Diawara (Malian guitarist/singer's first US tour-- funk, jazz and the music of Mali's Wassoulou region) at the Atlas Theatre


Big Sandy & the Fly-Rite Boys at Iota (country and rockabilly)

Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys at Creative Alliance in Baltimore

Hangover Royale (rockabilly) at the Dulles Hilton

GianMarco (rock en Espanol) at the Howard Theatre

James Keelaghan at Common Ground on the Hill in Westminster (folk/american roots)


_________________________________________________________
Sat. Oct. 6

Carimi and Class at the Rio Lounge in Laurel, MD (Haitian)

Forro in the Dark(NYC based Brazilian) w/ Alma Tropicalia and Maracuyeah Collective at Artisphere (Artisphere's 2nd anniversary party)

Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys; Curley Taylor & band; MoMojo at the Dancin by the Bayou zydeco festival at Glen Echo

Virgin Music Freefest at Merriweather Post with rapper Nas; M 83; Dismemberment Plan; Santigold; Jack White; ZZ Top and more

Violeta Went to Heaven [Violeta se fue a los cielos]
The latest film from Chile's Andrés Wood (MACHUCA) is this biopic of influential, inspiring folksinger and political activist Violeta Parra. At the AFI Sat, Oct 6, 5:15; Sun,
Oct 7, 2:45

Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton in the King's Men gospel concert tour at Verizon Center

Cuba Libre club/restaurant one year anniversary, 801 9th Street NW suite A
Washington DC,

St Matthew's Multicultural Festival in Columbia, MD with dance (Chinese, Irish, Flamenco, etc) , Tres Amigos (Brazilian music), 11am-9pm http://stmatthewfestival.org


_________________________________________________________
Sun. Oct. 7

Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi at 4 pm at Hylton Center in Manassas

Takoma Park Street Festival with Chopteeth (DC afrobeat) and local roots/Americana bands

Easy Star All-Stars and the Aggrolites at Howard Theatre

Holly Golightly at Iota
__________________________________________________________
Mon. Oct. 8

Emili Sende at the Howard Theatre (r'n'b) postponed

Charlie Sayles and band at Westminster Church (blues)

Rza and Supernatural @ State Theatre (hiphop)

Tift Merritt at Birchmere (folk-rock)

Walking Sticks (featuring DC country/rockabilly guitarist Steurt Smith) at Iota
__________________________________________________________
Tues. Oct. 9

Bajofondo at 6th & I
_________________________________________________________
Wed. Oct. 10

Underground System Afrobeat ( from Brooklyn, NY) at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge at 9pm with a $5 cover, 2463 18th St. NW

Los Lonely Boys at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis (and on the 11th)

Hindustani classical music and more: Bethesda resident Samia Mahbub Ahmad explores spiritual unity and global fusion, with vocal stylings that merge the sounds of India with the rhythms of Africa and the West at the Strathmore Mansion

Wang Li for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage ( Chinese instrumentalist and vocalist combines circular breathing and throat-singing techniques with the sounds of the jaw harp and calabash flute.)
__________________________________________________________
Thurs. Oct. 11

Robert Glasper Experiment at the Birchmere (funk and jazz)

DJ Sonido Martines (Bolivian cumbia selector & tropical crate-digger who mixes cumbia, chicha, vallenato, dancehall, and hiphop) at Tropicalia at 10 pm for free

Calexico at the 930 Club (Americana w/Mexican influences)

Fendika at Kennedy Ctr Mill. Stage for free from 6 to 7(Ethiopian women singers and dancers)

Pan-American Symphony presents "Tango Nuevo" –Astor Piazzolla's music—
performed by Latin Grammy winner, pianist Octavio Brunetti, with Diana LeGrand on violin and Devree Lewis on cello. at the Argentina Embassy, 1600 New Hampshire Ave. NW (Dupont Circle metro) (on Friday Oct. 12 also)

Talk: "World Music: What Musical Traditions Teach Us About Cultures - Listen and Learn" 4-5pm at University of Baltimore,
Business Center room 227

How to Dress Well at R'n'R Hotel (blue-eyed indie singer's take on current r'n'b)

*2 Chainz, Miguel (great r’n’b singer), and Elle Varner at 8 at Morgan State University Hill Field House for Morgan St. Homecoming
__________________________________________________________
Fri. Oct. 12

Richmond, VA Folk Festival through Sunday with international and Americana performers including James Super Chikkan Johnson; Dr. Michael White; Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-chas; Roseanne Cash; Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro (Cuban); Hassan Hakmoun (Moroccan Gnawa); Wang Li (Chinese jaw harp and calabash flute)
Fendika (Ethiopian Azmari music and dance); Hector del Curto's Tango Quartet (Argentine tango); Fred Wesley and the New JBs (funk and jazz); : Ti-Coca et Wanga-Nègès (Haitian twoubadou); Forró Pé de Serra All Stars (Brazilian forró)

English Beat (ska) with Paul Collins at the State Theatre

Janka Nabay + The Bubu Gang (Sierra Leone/Brooklyn/DC) + 'SHRINE' feat. Sol Power DJ's. at Tropicalia 10PM-2AM Free

Bachacho (Miami based ) with DC's Empressario and NY's Spanglish Fly at Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St NE, Washington, DC

The 2012 Salsa Music Awards National Tour
Salsa Music Awards tour In a Red carpet event with guest appearances by Viti Ruiz; Marlon FernandezLefty Perez; Hector Rey; with Herbie Martinez JT y su orquesta La Tremenda; Red Carpet reception at 7:30; Dress code enforced at Diamond Lounge, 7203 Little River Tpke, Annandale,

Jens Lekman (Swedish folk-pop) at 930 Club

Lindstrom & Beautiful Swimmers (electronica) at U St. Music Hall

Robert Glasper at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis(jazz and funk)

Celtic Thunder at the Lyric in Baltimore

Roots of Brazil w/ Rose Moraes at Creative Alliance in Baltimore


*Byt presents 2 nights at the French Embassy Friday and Saturday. Friday night from 8pm to 1 am offers Wax Tailor, a Parisian hip-hop-meets-mellow-electronica band, and local DJ Chris Nitti. Plus an exhibit of works by Parisian illustrator Paul Grelet, short French films screening in the embassy auditorium, a beauty table offering French braids and makeup tips, French food, a full bar, & photobooths —La Maison Francaise/Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Rd. NW
 ________________________________________________

Sat. Oct. 13

Woodie Guthrie Tribute at 2 pm at the Library of Congress Coolidge Aud. (advance tickets gone, but if there are no-shows, and one gets there early and signs up, you might get in) with Noel Stookey, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Jimmy LaFave

Jarabe Depalo at the State Theatre

Grand Debut of the Afro-International Saturday Party @ Love Nite Club. Every Saturday, starting this Saturday at 1350 Okie street NE DC., Hosted by Dj Chick & Friends / Tmi Ent.

Clannad (Irish) at Lisner

Honoring Woody Guthrie Tribute from 6 to 7 pm for free at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage with Tim O'Brien bluegrass guitarist, fiddler, banjoist, and vocalist offers a solo concert to honor the life and work of folk singer Woody Guthrie.


*DC Blues Society Battle of the Bands (winner represents DC in Memphis contest) at Wheaton American Legion

*DJ Spinna tribute to Stevie Wonder at Liv (obscure songs on vinyl)

*BYT at the French Embassy from 8 pm to 1 am with  Tomorrow’s World (collaboration between Jean-Benoit Dunckel of French group Air and Lou Hayter of New Young Pony Club), and : Housse de Racket (electro-accented Parisian pop on Kitsune) and Yan Wagner ( Pop crooning overtop programmed beats).



__________________________________________________________
Sun. Oct. 14

This Land is Your Land(sold-out)-Woodie Guthrie Tribute concert at Kennedy Ctr.

Celtic Thunder at Lisner

Fat Trel and Slutty Boys at U St. Music hall (DC rap)

Meshell Ndegeocello: a dedication to Nina Simone at the Howard Theatre

Author Michael Chabon discusses his new novel "Telegraph Avenue" which is about an independent record store in a "sprawling … story that tackles the issues of race and class in urban America. Kung Fu, Blaxploitation films, vinyl LPs, jazz and soul music animate the world of Telegraph Avenue, the latest from this "immensely gifted writer and magical prose stylist" (The New York Times). Politics & Prose will be selling books at this event at 7:30 at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3925 Macomb St. NW

Tom Paxton leads a jam session tribute to Woody Guthrie open to anyone with a guitar from 6 to 7 pm for free at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage
__________________________________________________________
Mon. Oct. 15

Stars, Stripes, & SALSA: A benefit Concert Honoring America's Latino/Hispanic Heroes & Veterans Featuring Gilberto Santa Rosa & Tito Puente, Jr. at the Warner Theatre. $117

Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas at K. Ctr. Mil. Stage for free from 6 to 7 (dance lessons at 5)

Chuck Brown's band with Raheem DeVaughan at Howard Theatre
__________________________________________________________
Tues. 16

Be Good Tanyas (alt-country) at the Hamilton

Rodney Crowell (country) at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis

GZA playing Liquid Swords (NY rap) at the Howard Theatre

Compagnie de Danse Jean-René Delsoin (Hatian dancers and drummers) from 6 to 7 pm for free at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage
_______________________________________________________
Wed. Oct. 17

Joel Savoy, Jesse Lege, & Cajun Country Revival at Artisphere

Mavis Staples at Hamilton (soul and gospel)

Tinariwen (from Mali) at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis

GZA playing Liquid Swords (NY rap) at the Recher Theatre in Towson

"Woodie Guthrie: Outlaw" free discussion with video and audio led by Jeff Place, chief archivist at the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and co-producer of Smithsonian's new "Woody at 100" boxed set. From 7 to 9 at theDC Music Salon at the Watha T. Daniel Library in Shaw, 1630 7th St NW with host Marc Eisenburg

Author Daniel Katz discusses his book "All Together Different: Yiddish Socialists, Garment Workers, and the Labor Roots of Multiculturalism" at noon for FREE at DC JCC

Moombahton Massive with Nadastrom and more djs at U St. Music Hall
_______________________________________________________
Thurs. Oct. 18

Chicha Libre (Brooklyn group doing Colombian & Peruvian chicha & cumbia) + DJ Doc Delay (NYC) 10PM-2AM Free at Tropicalia

SupaAfrik Pop-Up Shop/Gallery Oct 18th to Oct 21st at Gallery O on H, 1354 H Street NE, DC Fashion show with Wayna performing at opening (Toronto designer's African influenced garb) 6PM -11PM

Soul Rebels Brass Band (New Orleans) at the State Theatre

Bootsy Collins at Montgomery College in MD ($60!!!)

Zadie Smith, NW (Sixth & I Historic Synagogue) (Brit novelist talks re her new book re folks living in a now gentrifying part of London)

Velocity Dance Fest (through the 21st) with DC dance companies including ones that draw from Latino and African dance at the S. Harmon Hall, 610 F. St NW

Mystikal & Silkk the Shocker (rap) at the Fillmore

DJ Bailey (drum and bass) at U. St. Music Hall
_________________________________________________________
Fri. Oct. 19

Joe Bataan, the Afro-Filipino King of Latin Salsa & Soul in a public discussion and performance at the Baird Auditorium of the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Avenue and Constitution NW, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. free

Luis Miguel del Amargue (bachata) y Eddie Santiago (salsa) at Bravo Bravo, Conn. Ave. NW

2 Chainz and Naughty by Nature (rap) at Howard U Homecoming show at 12 noon at the Main Yard on the Howard Campus

Howard U Homecoming R'n'b show at 8 at Cramton Aud.

Jacksons (Unity tour) at the Howard theatre

Baltimore Lieder Weekend at andiemusiklive.com (German and French cabaret)

____________________________________________
Sat. Oct. 20

Howard U. Homecoming Parade with Howard U marching band and more

Howard Y. Step Show at 6 at DAR Const. Hall

Howard University Homecoming International Party at Bistro Bistro, 1727 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC

Raw Men Empire (Israeli indie folk) from 6 to 7 pm for free at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage

_________________________________________________
Sun. Oct. 21

Staff Benda Bilili at the Howard Theatre (great Congolese band)

Belo (Haitian singer-songwriter) from 6 to 7 pm for free at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage

La Música Latina at Lisner (La Musica Latina features Carmen de Vicente, Spanish castanet performer; Luis Garay, Argentinean percussionist; Joseph Holt, conductor and pianist; Mexican-American tenor Pablo Talamante; and mezzo-soprano Deborah Benner and Michael Bard, guitarist, both members of Trio Caliente, known for its unique blend of flamenco, pop and Brazilian jazz)

Howard U. Homecoming gospel concert at 7 at Howard U.'s Cramton Aud.

The Yancey Brothers, The Gospel Ambassadors, and Sharon Rose and the Voices of Praise Gospel Choir at 4 pm at Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Rd.
Ft.Washington, MD
__________________________________________________________
Mon. Oct. 22

Shirley Jones from Jones Girls (70s r'n'b/disco) at Blues Alley

Brand New Heavies (featuring N'Dea Davenport) at the Birchmere

Junot Diaz (Dominican-American novelist who is a fan of reggaeton, bachata & more and incorporates it a bit into his novels) talks about his new collection, This Is How You Lose Her at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
__________________________________________________________
Tues. Oct. 23

A&C International Foundation presents: Chinese Traditional Jade Musical Instruments Recital & Folk Song Concert at the Kennedy Center
______________________________________________________
Wed. Oct. 24

Orquesta Aragon (Cuba) at Howard Theatre

Henry Butler (New Orleans pianist) at Blues Alley

Sakhioba Ensemble (Georgia/Eastern Europe folk songs and church chanting) from 6 to 7 pm for free at Kenn. Ctr. Mill. Stage

__________________________________________________________
Thurs. Oct. 25

Major Lazer (dancehall)(sold out) at 930 Club

Afrobeat for your soul once a month dj night at Bossa

Pantha Du Prince (live techno) at U St Music Hall

Explosion Negra (afro-Colombian sounds) plus NYC DJ (cubmia, bachata y mas) Uproot Andy and DC's Maracuyeah Collective DJs Rat y Mafe at 10 for free at Tropicalia
__________________________________________________________
Fri. Oct. 26

Buddy Guy at the Howard Theatre

Old 97s & Rhett Miller (alt-country) at 930 Club

Baltimore Folk Fest 2012 in Station North Arts District (at Windup Space, Joe Squared, etc)
__________________________________________________________
Sat. Oct. 27

Sammy Naquin & the Zydeco Whips at Glen Echo

*Bettye LaVette (soul) at the Howard Theatre

Barrington Levy (reggae) at 11 at the Howard Theatre (cancelled?)

Yonder Mt. String Band at the Fillmore

*Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush at the Greenbelt American Legion(from Lake Charles, LA)
__________________________________________________________
Sun. Oct. 28

Bettye LaVette (soul) at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis

Bollywood's Mika Singh at the Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA

Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers & Dancers (Canada)

*Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush at JVs in FallsChurch
__________________________________________________________
Mon. Oct. 29

Buika (afro-flamenco) at the Howard Theatre (2 shows)


*Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush at JVs in Falls Church
__________________________________________________________
Tues. Oct. 30-

Cyrus the great celebration w/ Dinner buffet &Performance by
Farzam vocalist and violinist from California & Mina Rezvani vocalist, Music by Fereidoun Kamranpour, at Kabob Bazaar, 7710 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda, MD
_________________________________________________________
Wed. Oct. 31-
__________________________________________________________
Thurs. November 1-

Acoustic Africa with Dobet Gnahore (Ivory Coast), Manou Gallo (Ivory Coast) and Kareyce Fotso (Cameroon) at Lisner Auditorium

Bernie Worrell Orchestra at the Hamilton (funk)

Capleton at the Howard Theatre (dancehall reggae)
__________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Other cool stuff (mostly indie-rock): Women who Rock at the Nat. Women in the Arts Museum; 10-6-Raveonettes/Melody's Echo Chamber @ Black Cat; 10-8-PIL @ 930 Club; Fleshtones @ Ottobar; 10-10-Mtn. Goats @ Ottobar; 10-11-Sloan @ Black Cat; Silver-Sun Pickups; Cloud Nothings @ Rams Head Live; 10-14-Peter Gabriel @ Patriot Ctr.;10-15-Mike Watt @ Black Cat; 10-18-Divine Fits @ 930 Club; Off! @ Black Cat; 10-21-Say Anything @ Fillmore;10-22-Cat Power@930; P. Furs @ Howard; 10-24-America Hearts & Cigarette @ Comet P; Dum Dum Girls @ Ottobar; Titus Andronicus @ RnR Hotel; 10-25-Dinosaur Jr. @Black Cat; St. Etienne @ U St. Music Hall; Those Darlins @ DC9; 10-26-AC Newman @ Black Cat; Halloween Cover Show benefit @ the Rocketship, Decatur St NW; 10-28-Ethel W/ Todd Rundgren @ Clarice Smith Ctr.; 10-29-Laurie Anderson @ Birchmere; 10-31-Susanna Hoffs @ Jammin' Java

_________________________________________________

sources:
www.dccaribbeanconnection.com/NewSite/Events.asp
www.wherewegotozydeco.com
www.fortreno.com
www.foolsnightout.com [Scott Mitchell's nice list of roots rock,
zydeco, swing & more]
www.gwu.edu/~lisner/performances.htm
www.si.edu/events/all.asp
www.sulekha.com
Eventoslatinos.us/Events
marcia4music.com
www.danceplace.org
Kennedy center website
dc-improv-announce-subscribe@eGroups.com
panOrient@aol.com
eileen@salsacentro.com
DesiClub.com
WPAS
Clarice Smith Center
Folklore Society of Greater Washington www.fsgw.org
www.image-in-asian.com/calendar.shtml
www.kestadc.com/
americanfiction.wordpress.com/upcoming-washington-dc-area-author-appearances/
www.trumba.com/calendars/headzup#/?i=1
www.visitprincegeorges.com (go to events)
inyrbasement.tumblr.com
tickeri.com
showlistdc.com
events.kodoom.com/en/persian/washington-dc/
Plus local Spanish language papers and flyers at international
restaurants and record stores and on telephone poles. And the W. Post
and City Paper(s) and W. Post Express and W. Post Going Out Gurus & various facebook sites

dcbworld-subscribe@yahoogroups.com




------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcbworld/

<*> Your email settings:

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Talking about Elikeh's Between 2 Worlds album



DC's Elikeh released their latest album at the end of August, but I was too busy to review it the week of its release for the Washington City Paper. But its worthy of attention, so here goes (who cares about release dates anyway):


The title of Elikeh’s third album, “Between 2 Worlds” explains the situation of this DC outfit’s Togo-born leader, as well as their musical approach.  Joined by Americans on bass, trumpet and saxophones plus a Nigerian guitarist, Benin drummer & special guests, rhythm guitarist/songwriter Serge Massama Dogo sings in English and Mina, and his band melds various 1970s-rooted Afropop styles with funk, rock, and reggae. Concerned about the plight of his country, which he periodically visits, Dogo, who wrote or co-wrote nine of the ten songs here, employs a Bob Marley-like lyrical methodology combining critical commentary with inspirational uplift.

“How can you lead with no vision, Mr. President,” Dogo quickly lectures Togo’s head of state in the album opener “No Vision.” But Dogo, a former university orchestra director, does not use a hectoring tone.  Instead his folk-like melody conveys sadness that is kept from sinking too low by the punchy Afrobeat horns, and his own leisurely, yet upbeat rhythmic guitar.    The next three compositions offer subtle variations on this Fela meets Togo and America rhythmic style—potent brass with high-pitched guitar on “Know Who You Are,” guest Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Toure getting ragged on “Alonye,” and cover song “Olesafrica” adding uplifting group harmony vocals. 

Two mid-album cuts and the album closer suggest Dogo also enjoys listening to  American acoustic coffeehouse strummers.  “Fly to the Sky” urges listeners to “fly to the rainbow” without sounding too saccharine and “Foot Soldier” urges listeners to “fight for the future, become a soldier for the revolution.” Cliched maybe, but the laid-back yet memorable tunefulness of his vocals makes it work, if less successfully than the more upbeat numbers. 

“Eh Wee” and its faster polyrhythms, and “Let Them Talk” with its noisy horn solos return the group to its musical bread and butter.  This is where the group sounds most lively.  While teenagers from Togo and the African diaspora might prefer programmed African club beats and find this quaint, its tight and dynamic variation on many decades old styles feels void of dust and spiderwebs. “Nye’n Mind Na Wo” adds to the classic afropop repertoire with pretty, sparkling Malian kora underneath vocals and Santana-esque axework from Dark Star Orchestra’s  John Kadlecik.  Dogo’s influences from both sides of the pond may be retro but they rarely sound old-fashioned here.