Category: New releases

More information on the WaFlash EP released digitally today

Taylor

Ken Stringfellow & WaFlash

“Mappando” (album)

On a trip through West Africa in late 2001, Ken Stringfellow met a group of musicians whose work he had admired: WaFlash, from Thies, Senegal, who have been playing together for about a decade. Immensely popular in Senegal and neighboring countries, they have yet to have a release in N. America or Europe. They boast three incredible vocalists, including female singer Ma Sane, who takes the lead on most of the tracks on the album. They spent a week in early 2003 in a studio in Dakar, with compositions that they had forged the previous week in their rehearsal studio (a spare room in Ms. Sane’s family compound in Thies). Stringfellow feels the musicians and singers here are so inspiring, so generous of heart, so talented that the listener will be directly moved by this music.

Tracks:

1. Mappando

2. Yow Nit

3. What is Strong

4. Daw

5. Sambale

Available only on digital download sites such as iTunes, Napster, and Microsoft’s music service.

KS recordings available on world’s first all-digital download label

Taylor

UMe Digital, World’s First All-Digital Download Label from a Major Music Company, Set for Debut; Label Announces Initial Releases; Offers Unprecedented Access and Exposure for Artists

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 23, 2004–The evolution of digital downloads marks another milestone on November 23, 2004, with the debut of UMe Digital, the world’s first all-digital download label from a major music company. UMe Digital product — individual songs, EPs, and full-length albums — will be distributed exclusively online.

With its unparalleled music and video marketing capabilities and the power and scope of UMe to place songs in films and TV shows and commercials, UMe Digital offers unprecedented access and exposure for artists.

Read the article here.

Soft Commands overseas release

Taylor

“just wanted to let those of you outside the u.s. and canada know that ken’s album will be coming out on ryko in late september. there are two bonus tracks (both covers). we’ll be attempting to line up shows around all the other activity ken’s got on his plate. i’ll keep you posted as details are confirmed.”

(posted by Barbara Mitchell to the dear23 list.)

Shatner album released October 5th, plus another review

Taylor

This time Shatner has teamed up with Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) for what he states are “…thoughts and experiences of mine that very few people have heard before.” He adds, “I wanted to share them with my loved ones.”

Recorded in Folds’ Nashville studio, Has Been features eleven tracks with select songs featuring Folds (also on piano), Henry Rollins on “I Can’t Get Behind That,” Aimee Mann, Brad Paisley, and Lemon Jelly. The band includes guitarist Jon Auer (The Posies), bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing), and drummer Matt Chamberlain (Tori Amos, Fiona Apple).

Click here for a tracklisting and more info.

Another Soft Commands review – ‘Stringfellow Avoids Soft Rock Stigma’