Los Angeles-based Cambodian-American rock band Dengue Fever have announced their first European tour dates of 2009, in support of their new documentary Sleepwalking Through the Mekong on DVD & CD soundtrack, to be released on 15 June. The tour kicks off at London’s Scala on June 18.
 
 Sleepwalking Through The Mekong follows Dengue Fever - Chhom Nimol (vocals), Ethan Holtzman (keyboards), Zac Holtzman (guitar), David Ralicke (horns), Senon Williams (bass) and Paul Smith (drums) - on their recent journey to Cambodia to perform 60s and 70s Cambodian rock in the country where it was created and very nearly destroyed.

Reggae Rising Music Festival will take place on July 31st - August 2nd at the Dimmick Ranch and French’s Camp, situated along the world renowned bend in the Eel River on the Mendocino/Humboldt County Line and will feature three full days of music, food, camping and crafts along with reggae and world music headliners from all over the world.

Reggae and world music are set to come alive again this summer on one of New York’s most magnificent rivers as some of the industry’s top conscious artists celebrate another Hudson River ECO Reggae & World Music Fest extravaganza with a purpose.
 
 The annual Hudson River ECO Reggae & World Music Fest returns this August 22, 2009, from noon to 8 pm, with Brigadier Jerry, Mystic Dub, Living Truth, and soon to be confirmed - Sister Carol, Fat Joe and, Toots and the Maytals among others.
 
 This year the festival, now in its 2nd year, returns with a purpose and partnered with Carib ID as to spread the Census message to Caribbean nationals while spotlighting the need to save the environment through green initiatives.

The Sol Harvest Festivus for the Restivus world music festival will celebrate its seventh year July 17th, 18th and 19th as Northeastern Vermont's "party of the summer." For the first time, the groove-filled roots and world music festival will run for two nights and two days and will feature the danceable, joyful sounds of world touring acts Toubab Krewe, Oumou Sangare, Barrington Levy, Midnite, Black Sheep and Earle "Chinna" Smith, as well as many of Vermont's most enjoyable local talents.
 
 The Festivus, dubbed "The Manifestivus" this year to honor its larger scale, is held on 93 acres of breathtaking land in Cabot, six hours north of New York City and three hours from Boston or Montreal. Set on a gently rolling hillside meadow surrounded by forest, the timber stage creates an unforgettable vibe which last year hosted 1500 dancing, smiling, loving faces under a moonlit sky. The Festivus is founded by Toubab Krewe bassist David Pransky, and takes place on his family's longtime farm.

This summer's Ethno 2009 will take place in Belgium Croatia, Estonia, Slovenia, Sweden and Uganda; bringing together young folk/traditional/ethnic musicians from around the world. They will share and learn from each other through a variety of fun and unique cultural activities that embrace a holistic approach to music pedagogy placing emphasis on communal learning rather than individual excellence. It is open to traditional/folk musicians between 15-28.

Dates for Ethno 2009:

Ethno Croatia (11-17 July, 2009)
Groznjan, Croatia
Held at the International Cultural Centre of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia, a World Meeting Centre of JMI and Ethnombient festival in Salona, near Split! Mentors: Dario Marusic (Croatia), Lidija Dokuzovic (Croatia) and Allan Skrobe (Sweden).

Fela Kuti

Alagbon Close / Why Black Man Dey Suffer (Wrasse, 2007)

Two of Fela Kuti's classics, Alagbon Close and Why Black Man Dey Suffer, are now available in a single CD released by Wrasse Records. The original albums came out at a time when Fela Kuti was at his prime. There only four lengthy tracks included in this release. All pieces are excellent examples of revolutionary Afrobeat jams, with a combination of powerful Nigerian rhythms, a solid brass section, electric organ and piano, rhythm guitar and the unmistakable vocals and saxophone of Fela Kuti. While some of the modern Afrobeat bands focus exclusively on musical jams, Fela Kuti delivered mesmerizing music mixed with strong social and political messages.

Author: Omar Vázquez
 
 Cuban musician Ricardo Abreus, cofounder in 1959 of Los Papines, passed away last Tuesday from a stroke at age 75 in Havana. Ricardo began his career at a very early age and became popular with his group Papín y sus Rumberos performing at the Tropicana Cabaret and other venues. Following, he founded Los Papines with three of his brothers. The popular vocal and percussion quartet debuted at the Salon Parisién of the Hotel National in a production directed by Amaury Pérez.