Meeting Bob Brozman

Bob Brozman & Alan Budd

Bob Brozman in Alberta

Travelling the World of Music

The guitar nearly bypassed Papua New Guinea. When it finally arrived, it was seized upon by islanders who adapted it accordingly. They took to strumming it ukulele-style, inventing unique basslines, playing in unison or solo, adding a bit of slide here, a single note accent there. The tunings were light and airy, five-key and open, an island sound vaguely reminiscent of early Hawaiian music but setting its own precedents. Over in the remote, hard done by province of East New Britain, the Tolai people formed stringbands and sang high, happy harmonies.

Into this fraught paradise stepped ethnomusicologist and guitar superstar Bob Brozman, an enabler in the way that a man with the energy and organisational skills can do. Here Brozman assumed a co-producing role, supporting an array of stringbands with instrumental backing, equipment (including much needed guitar strings) and recording advice. And so, we have the Gilnata Stringband, with ten vocalists, fewer instruments and a bluesy sound; the Fiji-leanings of the Eagle Voice Band; the north coast’s Lions 2000 Stringband and Drop Sun Band, their guitars outnumbering their singers.

Much of this music is recorded here for the first time. Each member of every stringband gets an equal share of royalties. This is the music of Bob Brozman.

Matato’a

Matato’a is from Rapa Nui on Easter Island, Chile. Matato’a means “the watchful eye of the warrior” and they are the most famous musical & dance group from Rapa Nui. And Rapa Nui is the most isolated island in the world, lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Rapa Nui is famous for its giant & enigmatic stones known as the Moai. Matato’a is a family group formed in 1996 with the initiative of Kevamatato’a Atan. The principal motivation for Matato’a is to promote the ancestral traditions, dances, costumes, body paintings of their home on Rapa Nui. Matato’a uses the perfect fusion of modern & traditional instruments including stones, horse jaws & bombo. These instruments give a variety of different music & song styles that include Polynesian, Reggae, Latino & Rock. Matato’a also mixes their style with their modern & tradition costumes on stage. Matoto’a impress, attract & lead dances during each of their shows. You can find out more about Matato’a by visiting their personal website. Matato’a will tour in Hawaii and Europe in the fall of 2006.

Nenes

Nenes is a group of 4 women who sing Okinawan folk songs and perform on traditional instruments and in traditional Okinawan costumes. While Okinawa is today considered part of Japan, it has its own distinct culture. Okinawa is also a tropical island which many people enjoy visiting. Traditional Okinawan music is usually played on a 3-stringed instrument called a sanshin, which is similar to the Japanese shamisen and perhaps even related to the banjo. Okinawan music has a very syncopated rhythm which has been called “Japanese reggae”. Many people find the music has a very earthy and festive feel to it. The group Nenes was formed in 1990 by China Sadao, who brought together 4 musicians who had been performing separately. The group soon became surprisingly popular given that their music was well outside of the pop mainstream in Japan. Their independently released Ikawu CD sold well and the group signed to Sony. Ryuichi Sakamoto recorded with them and took them on a European tour, which brought them a much bigger following. Nene seems to aspire more to being cultural ambassadors rather than pop stars. Nenes plays a wide range of events and venues, including their residency at a club in Naha. The membership of Nenes changes from time to time, but the group remains very much dedicated to presenting the traditional sounds of Okinawa.

Northern Cree Nominated for Grammy

The Northern Cree Drummers

With 27 albums to their credit, the Northern Cree are heroes in northern Communities of Alberta & Saskatchewan. The 15 members of the Northern Cree, all drummers and singers from Cree communities. Their recent album Long Winter Nights is up for best native American music album. They have received nominations for Rockin’ the Rez in 2002 and for Still Rezin’ in 2003. Northern Cree sing in Cree and English and have 27 albums to their credit. They have been together 22 years and are heroes in the home communities.

 

Mike Stack in Calgary

Mike Stack, Jane Hawley, Tim Leacock & Steve Pineo