1.12.09

My Favorite Album.

Is not the one you would expect (Deloused). Its actually an album done by a little known artist named Damon Albarn. What Damon did is travel to Africa, going to the smallest, most remote towns he could find on a map, armed only with his laptop and recording equipment in a small bag. No professional escorts, no guides, just a map, an interpreter, and the ability to capture sound. He went to these small, unheard of villages, and explained to the indigenous people why he was there and what his machines did. He asked every town for their best musicians, and recorded with them.

In principle this sounds basic, but as I thought about it it became clear what his intentions were. In Africa, in these remote villages that have had little to no contact with our world, is the purest essence of music. Music not intended for commercial use or grandiose performance, but pure, celebratory music. The musicians in these villages have never heard any music other than what they themselves create. Its completely unfiltered and unique to that village alone. In the end he had traveled to some 15 villages, recording with each, and producing what I would have to say is the best expression of pure music anyone on earth has accomplished since the birth of recorded sound. The album is called Mali Music, and I highly recommend you check it out.

By the way, that Damon Albarn guy is relatively unheard of, but only by choice. He is the one person behind the entire "band" The Gorillaz, and also the lead singer for Blur, just so you know.