Thebigf’s Weblog

CD- Tequila, Blood and Fire, Watussi
Watussi’s self-titled debut album translates to Tequila, Blood and Fire which pretty much describes the exciting music created by this 8 piece band of mostly Colombian bred Sydney-based musicians. Afro-latin rhythms with reggae, funk and rock charge along at a ferociously ecstatic pace and provide an instant party feel. They’re energetic and infectious.

Vincente Sebastian on Congas, Bongo, Timbales and vocals drives the pace along with Oscar Jimenez on Guitar and vocals taking the lead (and no prisoners along the way). The fantastic party feel runs through the dozen tracks with some impassioned moments that strike out at some of the injustices faced by Columbians, but don’t be misled - this is party party party in the smoothest, sexiest way possible, and if you don’t speak the language you won’t be concerned about the lyrics.

Outfits like Watussi are emerging as the twenty-something first generation Australian kids of immigrants step up onto the stage and rock the house. The road ahead for a band like this looks as limitless as the sky. They’re part of the Womad line-up this year, and if you can’t figure out if you want to check them out live or not, this album is likely to convince you to attend. Inertia RRP $26.95. –David Jobling

stripped down
emily davis & jayne-anne power

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friday 14th & saturday 15th march 2008
where: the wheatsheaf hotel - 39 george st, thebarton
time: 8.30-11pm
tickets: $15
bookings: fringetix 1300 374 643 or adelaidefringe.com.au

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The Fringe is here, and so is your chance to catch two of South Australia’s great music exports - Emily Davis and Jayne-Anne Power - in a “stripped down”, emotional, interactive and powerful musical performance. Playing two nights within the fantastic surrounds of The Wheatsheaf Hotel on Friday the 14th and Saturday 15th of March, two of South Australia’s most celebrated and talented singer/songwriters will be performing the ‘raw’ versions of their own music, trying their hand at each other’s songs, and will also be joined on stage by a variety of surprise guests. This will surely be one of the highlights of the 2008 Adelaide Fringe.Emily Davis
Emily’s music comes straight from the heart. It is a finely crafted expression of home truths woven with earthy acoustic sounds and hauntingly beautiful lyrics. Her raw energy, stage presence, unique vocals and soulful guitar work mesh into a performance that will enrich you with its honesty. Her live performances are warm and inviting, drawing the audience in for an especially moving experience. Emily’s debut album “Moving In Slow Motion” is receiving airplay on Nova and ABC Radio and has gained her entry into Festivals such as WOMAD and Peatsridge.
www.emilydavis.com.au / www.myspace.com/emilydavismusic

Jayne-Anne Power
With a five piece band of guitar, bass, drums and keys accompanying her vocal artistry, Jayne-Anne Power sets out to define the Nu-Soul, R&B scene in Australia. A mix of influences such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, James Brown, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige underpins her music which combines acoustic soul, R&B, pop and jazz. However it’s her diva vocal delivery and the ever-present rhythmic drive in her music that is winning Jayne-Anne critical acclaim. Graduating from The Elder Conservatorium, with a ‘Best Jazz Vocalist’ award and a national music scholarship, Jayne-Anne was winner of the 2003 Music Oz Award in the R&B category. Her debut independent album SUBSTANCE is exploding online with over 34,000 track downloads as of April 2007.
www.jayne-annepower.com / www.myspace.com/jayneannepower

KORA

performing at WOMADelaide (SA) on Friday 7th March, and Playground Festival (NSW) on Saturday 8th March.

Kora’s self-titled CD is released February 16^th via Shock Records.

No strangers to Australian shores, New Zealand band Kora first visited in April 2005 with fellow countrymen Salmonella Dub and Fat Freddy’s Drop, and have been wowing audiences here ever since with their rock, funk and house grooves. Kora are an outfit who take no prisoners on the live stage.

Returning to play tracks off their self-titled debut album, which shot to the Number One spot on New Zealand charts in it’s debut week last October and still sits in the charts five months later. The album continues to hold the Number One spot in the Indie NZ Charts for the second month in a row.

The five piece, comprising of four brothers, Laughton Kora (vocals, guitar and keys), Francis Kora (bass and vocals), Brad Kora (drums) and Dan McGuyer (keys and bass), have been playing together since the early 1990’s. Kora have a huge live presence – vocal harmonies sailing on a powerhouse rhythm section, and have played at NZ Big Day Out, Pyramid Festival, as well as a sell-out shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Byron Bay in August 2007.

Kora have received enormous accolades and critical appraise in New Zealand including their debut EP, which achieved platinum sales status and reached the Number Two slot on IMNZ (Independent Music New Zealand) chart, Number One on the Groove Guide New Release chart and Number Three on Amplifier’s 2004 best seller list.

Their new album features fourteen brand skanking new tracks include Skankenstein, Out of My Mind, Down The Road, an instrumental track Skoolyard, plus Culture (featuring a guest appearance from the Kora brothers’ father on slide guitar).

Catch Kora live in WOMADelaide on Friday 7^th March, and

Playground Festival (NSW) on Saturday 8^th March.

KORA Self Titled Album is released in Australia on

February 16^th via Shock Records.