PRI's The World » Mannasseh Phiri

Optimism and Female Power from Kenya Trumpeter Christine Kamau

Mannasseh Phiri — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:35 +0000

I want to tell you about Christine Kamau, a very exciting and young musician from Kenya.

Kamau plays the trumpet. “This is For You” is her debut album.

In Africa it’s very rare for a woman musician to play a horn instrument.

Kamau took up the trumpet after taking classical piano lessons at age eleven.

One of the tracks on her debut is called “Do What You Want” which Christine Kamau says comes from her own mantra in life.

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

DJ Mannasseh Phiri Spins Tracks from the ‘Say Africa’ Recording

Mannasseh Phiri — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:00:28 +0000

Today, I want to share with you the music of Vusi Mahlasela and his album “Say Africa“.

Vusi Mahlasela is from South Africa and the producer for this, his third release, is Taj Mahal who is from the United States.

Vusi Mahlasela came to light in the mid-90s when he wrote songs and poems about South Africa in the post-apartheid era.

I will dedicate the title track to all Africans living in the diaspora, whose hearts are still in soil and in the dust of the mother continent of Africa.

The songs I played for you are: “Ro Yo Tshela Kae,” “Vezubuhle” and the title track “Say Africa”.

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

Zimbabwean Artist Hope Masike Revives the Traditional Mbira

Mannasseh Phiri — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:00:51 +0000

For the Global Hit Tuesday, we are featuring music from a young lady named Hope Masike.

Masike is a Zimbabwean artist whose gliding Afro-jazz makes use of her skills on the traditional African thumb piano, the mbira.

Masike says it hurts her to see the mbira being tied down to obsessions with tradition or colonial mentalities that label it as pagan or unchristian.

So, she has taken the mbira from traditional levels to higher levels by putting it into Jazz.

The track “Inyoni” from her album Mbira, Love, and Chocolate calls upon African women to rise to the highest highs of politics, business, whatever aspects of life.

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa

Mannasseh Phiri — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:00:03 +0000

Here’s a Global Hit about a recent collection of music recorded in Africa during the 1960s and early 70s.

The album is called “The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa.”

This psychedelic, funkadelic music was heavily influenced by soul music from James Brown and other artists in the US.

Here’s three tracks I’ll focus on:
“Guitar Boy” by Victor Uwaifo
“Nga Nga by Ebo Taylor
“Eruq Yaleshaw” by Alemayenu Eshete

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

Hugh Masekela Celebrates South African Wedding Songs On ‘Jabulani’

Mannasseh Phiri — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:19 +0000

I want to share with you the happy music of Hugh Masekela. He’s known affectionately as Brother Hugh.

Masekela has recently released a new album called “Jabulani“.

Jabulani means “be happy”.

The album is a collection of old weddings songs Masekela heard growing up in the townships of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Here’s a video to the songs “Sossie” and “Makoti (Bride).”

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

Koite, Boxoum and Mtukudzi Release ‘Acoustic Africa in Concert’

Mannasseh Phiri — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:03 +0000

Zambian DJ Mannasseh Phiri gives rave reviews for the CD “Acoustic Africa in Concert.”

The concert features the talents of Habib Koite, Afel Bocoum and Oliver Mtukudzi.

The three musicians hail from Mali and Zimbabwe who got together for a short-tour now documented in the CD.

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

‘The Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar’

Mannasseh Phiri — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:00:30 +0000

Today’s Global Hit features music from the island of Madagascar.

Zambian DJ Mannasseh Phiri spins three of his favorite tracks from a compilation CD called “The Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar.”

See more of DJ Mannasseh Phiri’s music picks here.

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

Tuareg Guitarist Omara Bombino Moctar and ‘Agadez’

Mannasseh Phiri — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:00:31 +0000

Zambian DJ Mannasseh Phiri tells us about a recent CD by Tuareg guitarist Omara Bombino Moctar. Bombino is from Agadez, Niger and his latest release is called “Agadez.”

Ahoulaguine Akaline (I Greet My Country) by Bombino

Ethiopian Singer Aster Aweke’s Latest Album ‘Checheho’

Mannasseh Phiri — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:00:55 +0000

In the Global Hit today, Mannasseh Phiri, a DJ at JOY-FM in Lusaka, Zambia, tells us about the latest release from Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke.

The album is called “Checheho.”

Subscribe and follow The World’s Global Hit

Taarab Music from Zanzibar

Mannasseh Phiri — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:56 +0000

DJ Mannasseh Phiri brings two tracks by musicians from Zanzibar that best exemplify Taarab, a style of music popular in East Africa.

Nigerian Jazz Musician Kayode Olajide

Mannasseh Phiri — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:40:27 +0000

Mannasseh Phiri, music DJ from Zambia introduces us to the music of Nigerian jazz musician Kayode Olajide.

Cameroonian Jazz Bassist Richard Bona

Mannasseh Phiri — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:00:57 +0000

DJ and music critic Mannasseh Phiri tells us about the latest release from Cameroonian jazz bassist Richard Bona.

Richard Bona: Ten shades of blue – Souleymane

Richard Bona: Ten shades of blue – Shiva Mantra

Guitarist Erik Paliani’s ‘Chitukutuku’

Mannasseh Phiri — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:05:03 +0000

Erik Paliani (Photo: erikpaliani.com)

The World’s DJ pick Monday comes from monthly contributor Mannasseh Phiri who tells us about the latest release from Malawian guitarist Erik Paliani.

‘Songs of Migration’

Mannasseh Phiri — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:35:16 +0000

Zambian DJ and music critic Mannasseh Phiri tells us about a recent musical stage show by South African musician Hugh Masekela. The show is called “Songs of Migration.”

songs of Migration

Mathew Tembo and Rikki Ililonga

Mannasseh Phiri — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:05:34 +0000

Two CDs from Zambia are featured in today’s Global Hit. One is a re-issue of “Zam-Rock” recorded in the 1970s, the other is newer material recorded last year. DJ music critic Mannasseh Phiri tells us more.

Click on the album covers for more information

Global Hit in iTunes

Subscribe to the Global Hit