Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Passages: The Water Brought Us - Mausiki Scales & The Common Ground Collective

Being a deejay definitely has its privileges, especially when you are linked up with great artists (and record labels) that are excited and willing to share their musical ventures. This is certainly the case with bandleader and keyboardist Mausiki Scales and The Common Ground Collective.
I've been blessed with the opportunity of opening up their legendary monthly Apache Cafe event (Home Cookin' Excursions in Afrobeat Soul continues..) on a few occasions AND receiving an advance copy of their brilliant new album, Passages: The Water Brought Us, and alas, the full release.
Afrobeat rhythms permeate this one of a kind album while connecting the musical dots of the African diaspora as a whole; funk, hip hop, jazz, even Haiti and New Orleans are represented lovely on this 16 track global excursion. Simply put, this is African music at its best.

My top 7...
1. Spirit Dancer
2. Gravity
3. Ablo's Banjo/Farafina
4. Sweet Dreams
5. Mama's Calabash
6. That Flow (BIG up Dash)
7. Haiti 1804

Check out the video of Mausiki Scales and The Common Ground Collective's recent trip to Ghana's 50th Year Independence Celebration, featuring the song "Mama's Calabash", vocals by Julie Dexter.
Common Ground Collective/Ghana @ 50 years

2 Comments:

Blogger THE JODY said...

I know ingrid and mausiki is a professor at my alma mater. I copped this album and I have the song gravity on repeat. This is a great album.

peace
jody harris aka THE JODY

November 15, 2008 at 2:00 PM  
Blogger ChocLitLuvJoi said...

You did it again. Thanks for the video. I don't know why I'm so drawn to W.Africa as opposed to South. I love the dancing, the use of the Kettle (tympani)drums, the Adinkra symbols... I must visit Ghana b4 i kick the bucket. I have to learn more about the Adinkra symbols. Thanks for the visuals Sirrr. Each one Teach one

November 16, 2008 at 2:28 PM  

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