Release the Tension

After last year’s storming (in the good sense of the word) second year at Charlton Park, (http://www.straightnochaser.co.uk/reviews.php?genre=World) WOMAD return to this great site in Wiltshire for another incredible weekend of music, arts and dance, and chai, and yoga and…

This year the almighty Malian singers Oumou Sangare and Rokia Traore return for their first spot at Charlton Park after establishing themselves as Reading favourites, but perhaps the Africans who are the most eagerly anticipated in 2009 are those from the Eastside of the continent. The Ethiopiques review sees the superb Mahmoud Ahmed and Alèmayèhu Eshèté united for a heavyweight session of Abyssinian soul and funk that will more than justify the recent hype lauded on these forgotten voices of African Music. As a nice side order, the Mad Professor and Dub Colossus (imagine Augustus Pablo taking a working holiday in East Africa reads the press blurb) will give praise to Jah and bring some more welcome roots to WOMAD after last years incredible Lee Perry and Jah Wobble shows.

The last few years has seen some legends of American soul visit WOMAD, and after killer shows by soul sisters Candy Staton and Mavis Staples, this year it’s the turn of one of the real godfathers of Southern Soul, as mortuary owner, bishop in the House of God for All People, father of 21 and legendary singer Solomon Burke comes preaching. But in many ways WOMAD is not about those big names who draw the crowds but the little known artists who you discover along the way, like the Latin tinged singer and guitarist from Burkina Faso Victor Démé, and Chinese folk singer Mamer. And that’s not forgetting Roy Ayers, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and Portico Quartet for the jazz heads here. As always not to be missed.