The year is flying by furnishing us with a new set of musical memories. Thrilling discoveries on Glastonbury’s fringe stages, grooving to great African dance bands at WOMAD or simply relaxing to an acoustic set with a beer on the Larmer Tee lawns. Just as you heave a sigh and mourn the end of the festival season, don’t fret…there’s one more festival that will give you the chance for a final fling, to lift your spirits before the nights start to draw in, in earnest. Its also the perfect excuse to escape the city and follow the very English and Victorian tradition for concerts and dancing by the seaside. Text and images : Jill Turner
Melstar travelled to the Africa Oye festival in Liverpool, to meet Carlou D. On the eve of his album launch in London, Carlou D rocked the crowd, yet away from the stage he was quiet and unassuming. Read how their encounter, one Sunday in Sefton Park, unfolded.
You know when you are creating a stir when you get a mention in "Exposed" , Sheffield's monthly listings magazine. It was quite a surprise to see the column inches with some kind comments made...not quite so sure about the picture though... a bit cliched although it does have the ring of Hezdoleh Soundz about it ..you can see what Exposed wrote in the full article.
The fifth Wychwood Festival usually marks the start of the green field festival season. Bathed in sunshine with some great acts including, Dub Colossus, Kissmet, Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara, Bellowhead amongst others, Adrian Phillips and Lisa Coleman sent their report for GondwanaSound.
Just as we were easing into 2008 news came in that Andy Palacio had lost his fight for life and had been flown to his home country of Belize where he died on January 19th. The news was even more difficult to comprehend as he had such an extraordinary year in 2007 with so many awards an accolades.
Jill Turner had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Costica "Cimai" Trifan and Radalescu Lazar, two members of the mighty speed brass band, Fanfare Ciocarlia from Zece Prajini in Romania.







