Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars Return To Birmingham + New Album!

For the follow up to their acclaimed debut, Living Like a Refugee, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars began recording in their hometown of Freetown, Sierra Leone then traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana. Rise & Shine reflects how far the band has come in the past few years, realizing a unique and seamlessly coherent sound: a fusion of traditional West African music and roots reggae, inflected with New Orleans styles. The album’s 13 tracks embrace the wide array of musical influences the All Stars have encountered on their rise to international fame. To purchase the album, read about their inspiring story, download the free track, and learn more about the documentary film that helped propel them to international attention, please click the links.

Be sure to catch them at Workplay Theater on Saturday May 1, 2010 8:00 pm with DJ Coco. Purchase tickets here.
The fam and I saw them at the Carver Theater a couple of years back and I am guaranteeing this to be a great show :)


Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars - Living Stone

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Rise & Shine Preview from Cumbancha on Vimeo.

Nneka :: Toazted Interview (Video)

Before you see Nneka @ WorkPlay next Monday, get acquainted with her... Nneka has been speaking her soul and bringing us to her life through her music, and so I wanted to share her speaking her thoughts candidly. A powerful voice of truth who says what is in her heart; she's a breath of fresh air in an industry that seeks to capitalize instead of mobilize. This interview was recorded following the release of her sophomore album No Longer at Ease which was named after a book of the same name by Chinua Achebe. Dense with political content, the album spoke about the corruption in Nneka's homeland, the Niger Delta. Concrete Jungle is out, cop it...

Toazted Interview Pt1



Toazted Interview Pt2



Toazted Interview Pt3

"“I do not see myself as a performer but as somebody who shares her heartfelt feelings with others. I have fortunately, by the grace of God, the opportunity to sing my message to you on stage.” ~ Nneka