Teriyaki Boyz

World Music is a very broad genre of music. Basically it is described as music that did not originate from the United States. However it is still very generalized by people and there are many myths that people assume are true about all world music. One myth is that world music fans are all geeks and hippies. This is definitely not true in the case of the Teriyaki Boyz, who have gained production and support from Kanye West, Pharrell, Just Blaze, DJ Premier, Busta Rhymes and many other American Hip-Hop artists and producers.
The Teriyaki Boyz first surfaced in 2006 in Tokyo. They were originally artists whose careers combined into a supergroup. The members consist of four rappers, Ilmari, Ryo-Z, WISE and VERBAL. DJ Nigo is also the founder of the popular Japanese clothing brand called A Bathing Ape aka BAPE Clothing.
The Teriyaki Boyz debut album was called Beef or Chicken featured many well-known American producers like Beastie Boys, Dan The Automator, DJ Premier, Just Blaze and The Neptunes and a couple of songs were featured on Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and a couple also featured rapper and producer Pharrell.
The Teriyaki Boys invaded the American scene with the hit single “I Still Love HER” a tribute to Common’s 1994 hit “I Used To Love HER” and featuring Kanye West. They continue to influence the American scene with their newest single “ZOCK On!!” featuring Busta Rhymes and Pharrell. A sophomore album is expected soon from this rising group and hopefully more collaboration with American rappers. This proves that world music has many fans around the world and can even fit in with our native music scene.



ZOCK ON

Great Big Sea

When I say "world music", what do you think of? Until last Friday, the first thing that popped into my mind was a musical recreation of activities enacted in the stereotypical African wilderness (drum circles around a blazing fire, dancing men in painted masks, chanting in a language foreign to my ears). But after talking with a teacher and reading an article she gave me, I realized there was more to it. World music is any type of music, indigenous to a certain area or people. Realizing my mistake, I just now remembered that my parents' favorite band, whom I listen to sometimes also, is a world music band.
Made up of three male members, all born in Newfoundland and Labrador, (there was a fourth, but he left in 2003 to spend more time with his family), Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band formed in 1993, who, aside from performing their own original material, perform rock interpretations of Newfoundland folk songs (drawing from the island's English, French, and Irish heritage), especially sea shanties.
My parents have all their CDs, one of their DVDs, and even some of their cassette tapes, so I grew up listening to their music. It's really grown on me. I know almost all their songs. It was very hard to choose an album to review, but I chose "Road Rage" (a live album). Most (but not all) of their songs are upbeat and fast-paced. That's one thing I love about them. If you're ever in the mood for something along those lines, you can always find a song to listen to in their plethora of recordings. Even if you don't want a fast song, this is one of those bands (and albums) that you can most likely find at least one song you'll like. I've decided to use one of my favorites as an example (and even though it's not necessarily fast-paced, it is an example of their re-interpreting of old folk songs from the island): "The Chemical Worker's Song (Process Man)".

Leningrad- Для миллионов ('For Millions) 2003

When most people think “World Music” they think some form of “ethnic” drums, African chants, non-English language, and un-enjoyable (either un-danceable or not “rocking”). Well, those people are WRONG. The genre “World Music” is rather ambiguous but what it basically boils down to for an American listener is: music from another country that possibly contains local or traditional musical qualities and instruments, possibly in another language, and probably not made for mainstream-American listeners. This can mean, of course, that it can be overwhelming different, even for the seasoned “indie” listener. But—have no fear! All you need are some willing ears and some music that rocks how you want it to and you are all set to be a World Music lover!

Let me introduce you to the Russian band Leningrad—from St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad). They play punk-rock-rooted ska, with a distinct Russian flavor, and reggae beats making an occasional appearance. Formed in the late 1990s, they have released eighteen albums, including studio and live recordings. Vulgar lyrics have led to the cancellation of some of their shows in Moscow but even so they continue to have a loyal following. Twelve members make up this energetic moshpit-inducing ensemble, playing keyboard, guitar, bass, marching bass drum, various percussion, accordion, tuba, trumpet, trombone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxaphone, and alto saxophone (among other instruments).

On their 2003 album Для миллионов you can hear a hint of swing influence on “Leningrad”, which just makes you want to dance and.... pogo (as do most of their songs).Some of their traditional Russian music influence can be heard on “Huynya”—certain parts remind me of Klezmer music (which makes sense since Klezmer, or Yiddish/Jewish music, originated from Russian Jews). I am not an expert on Russian folk music but by doing some Wikipedia research, I found two definite similarities between Leningrad’s music and Russian folk: both are typically sung only in chest voice, which means only lower notes, resonating lower down in the head and chest. This results sometimes in yelling or shouting quality. Also, a type of Russian folk poetry is Chastushka, often satirical in nature; they are often rapped and have are in trochee and quatrain form. I conjecture that this makes for the various Russian bands I listened to this weekend distinctive song style. All in all, Leningrad is an interesting band, playing good ska, and continuing traditions from folk music.

-Hannah

Marauders

The Marauders are a band that originated in North Carolina. They have yet to write their own song. They play and record versions of other people’s songs. Ranging from Stevie Ray Vaughn, to The Doors, and Pink Floyd. While their music is not original, the only music I could find of them (at www.marauderband.com/index.cfm). They play in a style of rock, sightly metal, but not completely. Some of the songs could potentially make their music sound a lot like the artists music. But some of the songs (for example Pink Floyd’s songs) could make it sound like something they had not originally intended, but good nonetheless.

Spanish I Could Like...

Artist: Mana
Country: Mexico
World Music all sounds the same, this statement could not be less true. I reviewed Ojala pudiera borrarte, and Vivir Sin Aire, both by the band Mana. One of them has a more prominent sound of the guitar, and one of them is more prominent in drums. One of them is mellow, while one of them is peppy. One of them you could almost sing along to (if you knew Spanish), while the other you could probably not sing along to unless you were a fanatic. They started their career in Mexico but then started to perform in the USA.
I could only find two songs by them, even though they have multiple albums out, without buying them. Think that they are important because they show that not all world music is a whole bunch of African drums and chanting.
Ojala pudiera borrarte (mana) (Amar es Combatir) - this song is mellow, and all in spanish. Even though I can not understand the vocals I read a youtube review that said that it had the best lyrics. The guitar seems to be very simple. and there seems to be very little drums, and when there is they are far in the background. The guitar solo is not overwhelming like a lot of the English music I listen to.Vivir Sin Aire (mana)(MTV unplugged) - a very different style than the other song. Once again in Spanish, it repeats a lot, “como se quira”. The drums are heard a lot more in this song than in the other. The guitar is acoustic, or atleast it sounds acoustic.

Christopher S-B
4-13



Kraftwerk
The Mix


World music actually means third world music. Uh. What? Kraftwerk is a German electronica band from the 90's. Last time I checked Germany wasn't a third-world country. Enough said.

The Kraftwerk sound combines a driving rhythm section with catchy, synthesized melodies and harmony; mainly following a Western classical style of arrangement, accompanied by simple lyrics that are sometimes sung through a vocoder or generated by computer-speech software. The Moog synthesizer is heavily present in most of the group's works, adding to its signature sound creations. In the mid to late 1970s and the early 1980s, the Kraftwerk sound was revolutionary for its time, and it has had a lasting impact across nearly all genres of modern popular music. Kraftwerk had a span of eight albums. The Mix, hit stores shelves back in 1991
"We were the first German post-war generation, the children of West-Germany. We were obliged to rediscover the sound of our everyday life, because it simply did not exist anymore. We had to redefine our musical culture. Not only our musical culture however: at the end of the sixties all German artists had the same problems. Writers, directors, painters … all of them had to invent a new language. After the war, German entertainment was destroyed. The German people were robbed of their culture, putting an American head on it. I think we are the first generation born after the war to shake this off, and know where to feel American music and where to feel ourselves. We are the first German group to record in our own language, use our electronic background, and create a Central European identity for ourselves." -Ralf Hütter (electronic organ, synthesizers)
Autobahn, one of the band's biggest hits, utilized the sound of a car engine starting up and driving away, along with other assorted vehicular sounds. The breakdown of this song is my favorite part. The harmonies just make such a nice sound in your ear. The countless hours poured into every Kraftwerk song really show through here as this is a tantalizingly simple orchestration of electronic sounds, vocals, drums and, yes, cars.

Here's a list of all their albums

▪ 1970: Kraftwerk
▪ 1972: Kraftwerk 2
▪ 1973: Ralf und Florian
▪ 1974: Autobahn
▪ 1975: Radio-Activity
▪ 1977: Trans-Europe Express
▪ 1978: The Man-Machine
▪ 1981: Computer World
▪ 1986: Electric Café
▪ 1991: The Mix
▪ 2003: Tour de France Soundtracks
▪ 2004: The Catalogue
▪ 2005: Minimum-Maximum

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Who Let The Dogs Out? That seemed to be the big question in 2000. And for good reason. The Baha Men sound like one giant beach party, like the Jamaican Beach Boys of the late 90’s. Their light-themed, upbeat hip-hop lyrics, paired with their reggae beats, and their Bahamian folk style, made this album the perfect soundtrack for America’s pre 9/11 optimism. The Baha Men’s debut album, Junkanoo, (named after the traditional folk music of the Bahamas) was released in ’92 and was very traditional, but with a modern pop twist. And although their releases became more and more westernized, the basic idea of their music remained the same. It was the kind of thing you would play through a boom box carried on one’s shoulder in the days before ipods, that made fellow beach partyers dance.

The Baha Men started out playing traditional music, but "updating" it to appeal to the younger generation. The band itself consists of three guys getting all the credit, and their backing band, with guitar, bass, percussion and keys. Although some claim world music is for hippies and geeks, I think the reviews below (found on itunes) really prove the opposite:

"I love dogs!!! I love music!!!!! Baha Men really hit me in my sweet spot!!!" -Creek Keeper

"omg like you guys totally rock i listen to your cd like every day after school omg like omg i have no friends totally!!!" -Create Nickname

"I KNOW THIS ALBUM IS TOTALLY OLD...BUT I LOVE WHO LET THE DOGS OUT!!! IT'S PROBABLY THE BEST THE BAHA MEN HAVE OUT!!!! ohh...and also...THE BARKING MAD MIX IS OFF THE CHAIN TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU LIKE PREPPY JUMPY UPBEAT STUFF, YOU'LL LOVE THIS AWESOME REMIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUS, LISTEN TO THE REMIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!" -Hilton Hater #486547