Baka Beyond Press Release 2011
"If there has to be a definition of world music, this is it!" Andy Kershaw
Baka Beyond New Album - New Lineup
Since the release of the groundbreaking "Spirit of the Forest" in 1993 Baka Beyond has evolved into a dynamic, multi-cultural live show which has played all over the world. From Brazil to Alaska, Norway to Spain, audiences have been enthralled by haunting Celtic harmony singing, drawn into the Cameroon rainforest by traditional forest singing (Yelli), and danced their socks off to irresistible African rhythms.
Baka Beyond has been spending the winter recording a new album. It is nearing completion, but is taking a break while Martin travels to Cameroon to continue work with the Baka in the rainforest for GME and Nii Tagoe is in Singapore teaching rhythm and dance. They will be back together in March in time to finish the final touches for a summer release.
Have a sneak preview HERE
The touring core, based in UK, hails from Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Cornwall, Wales and Northumberland. Together they create a unique and vibrant sound that fuses delicate guitar lines with African rhythms and heavyweight Congolese bass. Mix in some stunning vocals and a positive message of global unity and indigenous rights and you have a stage show second to none. Audiences emerge inspired and energised.
Baka Beyond has headlined many festivals such as Edmonton in Canada to 20,000 people, but they still love the intimacy of playing theatres and Art Centres. They have played one of the world's biggest music festivals, Glastonbury, a total of 16 times! Every gig has a sense of fun that turns a concert into an uplifting, inclusive party.
The band has a 5 member touring core:
- From the UK:
- Martin Cradick (Cornish father, welsh mother) on guitar
- Su Hart (from Northumberland) on vocals & percussion
- From Ghana:
- Nii Tagoe on drums percussion, balafon & vocals
- From Congo:
- Kibisingo Douglas on bass
- From UK/Nigeria:
- Molara on vocals & percussion
Often Baka are joined by Celtic Breton fiddler Paddy Le Mercier (from France) with his unique wild violin style.
For larger stage shows they are joined by Denise Rowe, bringing her brilliant fiery dance, and Tim Robinson and Sirra Leonian Ayodele Scott on drums & percussion.
Baka Beyond was founded by Martin Cradick (co-founder of Outback) in 1990 after a 3 month visit to Cameroon with singer wife Su Hart. There they began a lifelong musical friendship with a group of Baka Pygmy hunter-gatherers deep in the rain forest. The trip inspired the award winning debut album "Spirit of the forest" in 1993, which helped to define the term "World music" and pushed Baka Beyond into worldwide recognition.
The new album will be their 8th studio album and they also have several live, albums including "Baka Live" (recorded whilst touring the UK with 7 Baka musicians) and "Live and Pedal-Powered" (on the audience-powered Rinky Dink Sound System). The earlier studio albums had guest artists recorded either "on location" in Africa or in Martins studio in Bath, whilst they were visiting the UK. By the time the acclaimed "Sogo" was recorded (2000) some of the best African musicians resident in England had joined the band. Each album explores the mixing of diverse musical cultures in new ways. The Baka's gentle yet driving forest rhythms that create unity and co-operation in forest life, bind together and resonate through the music of Baka Beyond.
Baka Beyond believes in giving back to the source of their inspiration, they call it "cultural fair trade". Royalties are returned through the charity Global Music Exchange either directly to individual musicians, or for sustainable projects decided within the Baka community. A large performance space has been built, as well as work in health and education. With the forest and therefore their lifestyle under threat, it helps that the Baka's music and culture is appreciated worldwide.
WORKSHOPS.
The Baka have initiated Su and Martin into their music and have asked that they spread their culture beyond the forest. Su (a trained teacher) has worked in schools at all levels, with choirs, in the community, at festivals and in prisons. They also run Baka culture camps together and teach at university level. Workshops and showing of Martins forest films often run alongside gigs. In July 2011 Martin & Su will be teaching at the world famous Hollyhock retreat in BC, Canada.
See www.bakabeyond.com and www.1heart.org for more
". . . if you are not dancing, maybe you should have someone check your pulse."
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the band - baka beyond history - promo video - listen to recent gig
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