ASHE CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
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Ashe is proud to present music from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Zimbabwe and the American South, reflecting the amazing musical culture offered by Africans throughout the diaspora. Whether it's the Yoruban ceremonal songs of Lazaro Ros, the enchanting sound of the mbire summoning the ancestors or the daily 'newspaper in song' of Afro-Puerto Rican bomba and plena, Ashe brings these musical offerings to you with joy and pride.
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MEMORY OF WATER: SAMMY FIGUEROA PLAYS THE HANGPAN
NOW AVAILABLE ON CD!
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"The sound of the hangpan reminds us of the fluid and clear nature of water. It awakens ancient memories and renews our souls."
It's been a long wait but Memory of Water is finally available on physical CD, complete with credits and liner notes by producer Rachel Faro. Over the years this very special instrument and its bell-like harmonious tones have become popular throughout the world. Basically a steel drum created from a sophisticated metal alloy, and played with hands and fingers, the recording of this album, accomplished in one afternoon, displays Sammy's rhythmical and melodic skill.
The CD is available for order on Amazon Prime. The music is also available on all streaming services.
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| Holiday Music by Odetta and Yomo Toro |
It's never too early to plan for Christmas! Ashé Records is proud of its two classic Chrismas releases by two iconic artists from two important musical cultures. Odetta, one of America's most distinguished African-American singers and musical scholars, sings the old Christmas Spirituals as they were sung 200 years ago. This is a music that, born of oppression, lifts and frees the spirit. Celebremos Navidad, by Puerto Rico's beloved Yomo Toro, takes the old aguinaldos sung every year at Christmas time in Puerto Rico and offers them back with swinging salsa and bomba/plena arrangements played and sung by Puerto Rico and New York's finest. These records may celebrate the season but they're good all year round.
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| Alvin Ailey Dance Company's 'Odetta' pays homage to "the Queen of American Folk Music" |
The Alvin Ailey Dance Company has created an acclaimed piece "Odetta", which continues to be included in their repertory. Choreographed by Matthew Rushing and originally danced by Hope Boykin, the inspiration for this work began when Ailey Artist Director Robert Battle attended the memorial for Odetta in New York's Riverside Church with Rachel Faro, president of Ashe Records and producer of the album Beautiful Star. Robert was so moved by this memorial, where he heard the words of Maya Angelou and the dedicated singing of Pete Seeger that he encouraged Matthew Rushing to choreograph a suite of dances around several of Odetta's songs. This tribute to one of America's greatest African-American personages remains one of Ailey's most popular offerings.
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