The Final Straw - A Blog Place

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-dBk37GT_Y&list=PL9a-QBoekoUrM418O7B3evhE0zH6lQpHc Mhani (featuring Sunglen) Spha Bembe African Drums, piano, trumpet, synth, bass, vocals, finger snaps, percussion instruments (various shakers) Percussion, brass, electronic and vocals combine to create this work. I focus on the instruments used in this recording because the combination is not unique to music, however when the piece began, time/meter was not evident for me. This leads me to believe that the cultural rhythm that exists played a role in the execution of the work.   A drummer begins the piece followed by keyboard, trumpet, vocals and bass. For the first 40 seconds of the piece there is some sort of vamp and then the rhythm settles into a smooth two or four (depending on perspective.)   Overall, it reminds me of a smooth jazz piece with added components.

Title of piece -  Hira Malaza Taloha - Eny rodorodoy ny famindra (Music of Madagascar, Yazoo Rec) ·   Performer(s) ·   Culture of Origin - Madagascar (East Africa) ·   Instrumentation -  Guitar (about nine strings) and Vocals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJnn97uR93Y&list=PLNCkgrYRiLz5H8dOmVG55wnXGpBEzU5tN&index=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJnn97uR93Y&list=PLNCkgrYRiLz5H8dOmVG55wnXGpBEzU5tN&index=1       The study of ethnomusicology informs musicians on world styles outside of classical European tradition. Ethnomusicology also reminds us of how small the world is musically. We play the same notes, some a little out of tune for each other’s ears, but our sound is totally different.   The rhythms we experience across the world are similar but still unique when placed with the respective musics. In this example, the meter is three and the c...