Musical Traditions
Baris
Tradition: Gamelan
Title: Baris
Artist/Composer: Gong Kebyar of Paliatan
Gamelan music has been hugely influential since the remarkable ensembles were heard in Paris at the 1889 World Fair.
Musicians who sought inspiration in gamelan music include Debussy (Pagodes), Satie (Gnossienne) and Takemitsu (For Away).
Sahela Re
Tradition: Indian Classical
Title: Sahela Re
Artist/Composer: Kishori Amonkar
Kishori Amonkar was one of the leading vocalists of Indian classical music in the 20th century.
Aside from being a renowned musician, Amonkar was a popular speaker and travelled throughout India giving lectures, most notably on the theory of rasa (feelings, emotions) in music.
Bhabiye Akh Larr Gayee
Tradition: Bhangra
Title: Bhabiye Akh Larr Gayee
Artist/Composer: Bhujhangy Group
Bhujhangy Group are the world's longest-running bhangra band.
Their early 1970 single Bhabiye Akh Larr Gayee was the first recording to combine traditional Asian sounds with modern western musical instruments and influences, a momentous step in the development of bhangra.
Tropical Bird
Style: Calypso
Title: Tropical Bird
Artist/Composer: Trinidad Steel Band
The steel band originated on the Caribbean island of Trinidad about 1940, an invention of poor people in Port of Spain who played music during Carnival to represent their neighbourhoods and to compete with rival bands.
With its primary-chord harmony, syncopated rhythmic lilt and the timbre of the steel pans, calypso bridges the popular/world music categorisation.
Jin-Go-La-Ba (Drums of Passion)
Tradition: Drumming
Title: Jin-Go-La-Ba (Drums of Passion)
Artist/Composer: Babatunde Olatunji
Babatunde Olatunji was a major figure in early recorded African drumming.
As well as introducing the sound of African drumming to many Americans, he directly influenced the musical landscape, as can be heard in tracks like Carlos Santana’s Jingo, a cover version of this track.