Global Videos

We admit to a fondness for the Nordic folk tradition, and with Väsen we are never disappointed. Not only do they choose wonderfully catchy tunes to rework, they also convey a tremendous amount of infectious enjoyment with their playing.

They have come full circle, starting out as an acoustic experiment, becoming part of a highly successful Nordic rock review, striking off on their own and adding a drummer, and now, years later, they are an acoustic trio again. This video is from a live performance in Japan, and is a suite of brief polkas -- so brief they are called polkettes!

Posted on September 14, 2006 in music video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Hector Buitrago - 'Damaquiel'

If you haven't heard of Hector Buitrago you soon will. He is best known as co-founder of the Colombian Latin alternative band Aterciopelados, whose critical and commercial success of "Gozo Poderoso" landed the band on the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Latin Albums Sales chart as well as a coveted appearance on the ‘Tonight Show with Jay Leno’. On his own Hector Buitrago produced Andrea Echeverri's eponymous Grammy nominated album and now releases his own album "Conector", a play on words meaning both "With Hector" and "Connector". 'Damaquiel' is a beautiful excursion into his colorful dawn.

Posted on September 06, 2006 in music video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Andrea Echeverri - 'Baby Blues'

Here is an ironic yet fitting juxtaposition: Echeverri, whose self titled CD shouts out the joys of motherhood, and the glory of femininity has written a song that praises the bond between a mother and child. And yet is an oddly brooding lullaby, one that does not exactly conjure up sweet dreams. And perhaps that is why it was used in the controversial film "La Mujer de Mi Hermano" (My Brother's Woman) in which the impulse to passion has its hard price. The scenes from the film tell a story that is not about the comfortable side of love or pregnancy, and the references by Echeverri to how wrenching the cries of her baby are at night set a somber and anxious tone.

Posted on September 03, 2006 in music video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Shukar Collective- 'Malademna'

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Here is a real meeting of old and new sounds. The Ursari are the bear trainer caste of Roma (Gipsy). Although they are not of the caste that are musicians, they have a music that is all their own; scatting that is accompanied by a kind of hand jive. Michel Winter, the manager of the Romanian Band “Taraf de Haidouks” first noted them years ago when he visited the town of Clejani “they would be sitting around in front of their houses making this music, having a great time— they’d say “ Good morning Michel!” and I’d go and come back at the end of the day – and there they would still be, still clapping and singing and having a great time—and they’d say “good evening Michel!” The Shukar Collective takes this music, places it into a sophisticated club mix, and the result is wonderful infectious fun.

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Posted on September 02, 2006 in music video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Swap- 'Mäster Åslund'

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Here's a live performance that couldn't be more delightful for sheer joy and playfulness. Brits Karen Tweed (accordion) and Ian Carr (guitar) and Swedes Carina Normansson and Ola Bäckström (on fiddle and Hardanger fiddle) have been playing together for ten years, and any sharp edges from their differing heritages have long since worn off. It has been replaced by a unique sensibility and music that is without easy classification. They have a flawless sense of interaction, one that is totally visible in this performance, captured at the 2004 Nordic Roots festival. It's ensemble playing at its best.

For more info on the Nordic Roots Festival, which is held from September 30th -October 2nd, 2005 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis Minnesota, go to www.nordicroots.org

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Posted on September 01, 2006 in music video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Pinker Tones - 'Sonido Total'

This Barcelona based duo is making waves with their digital and analog based mélange of Latin, house, lounge and whatever else crosses their minds to inject into their music. These humorously self-professed geniuses (Mister Furia and Professor Manso) were childhood buddies who met up again as adults, and discovered that they were living not 100 meters from each other. The rest, as they might say, is history. While 'Sonido Total' comes across like pure pop, the acoustic interlude gives away its Latin underpinnings. The video itself is a heady, happy romp -- if you've got music in your head, the sky (or for that matter outer space) is the limit!