This Monday’s Global Revolutions turned its spotlight on the unique sounds of ‘Beja Power! Electric Soul & Brass from Sudan’s Red Sea Coast‘ by Noori and his Dorpa Band. This new release from Ostinato Records is an affirmation of the resilience of the Beja (bee-jah) people of eastern Sudan in their struggle for cultural and political self’determination. Deeply steeped in Beja traditional music, bandleader Noori innovated on the traditional four-stringed tambo by electrifying it and welding the neck of an electric guitar. The result is a captivating sound that is complemented by the haunting and airy notes of bandmate Naji’s alto sax and a solid rhythm section. Global Revolution’s Martín Alvarado talked with Vik Sohonie from Ostinato Records, who shared some tracks from the album and talked about the improbable origin of this album from junkyard finds to social media happenstance. The entire program can be streamed on demand through June 13 at archive.wortfm.org
Beja Power! Electric Soul & Brass from Sudan’s Red Sea Coast’
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