Africa Mix

Raquel Bitton, French songstress, producer and renowned interpreter of songs by Edith Piaf has released a new CD Rhythm of the Heart.  On her latest production, Bitton sings the classic songs of Tino Rossi, the romantic tenor singer of the French Cabaret era of the 1930s accompanied by an incredible cast of Latin musicians in the Bay Area.  And she'll be Emmanuel Nado's guest on Africa Mix.  Thursday at 9pm.

Host Emannuel Nado invited several music pioneers to the KALW studios to perform live and speak about African music: Baba Ken of West African Highlife band (Nigeria), ethnomusicologist Dr. Yancine Badian Kouyate (Mali), and Fely Tchaco (Cote d'Ivoire, pictured).

Emmanuel Nado welcomed Tunisian artist Emel Mathlouthi "The Voice of the Arab Spring" to Africa Mix this week, for her live West Coast radio debut!   Emel is a songwriter, composer, guitarist, and singer who is bringing an amazing brand new sound to Tunisian music.  Endowed with an outstanding voice, she evokes Joan Baez, Sister Marie Keyrouz and the Lebanese diva Fairouz, her captivating style is lyrical, with powerful rock, oriental and trip hop influence.  Listen anytime this week via KALW's Local Music Player.

 Tune in this Thursday to Africa Mix, when Emmanuel Nado's guest will be Ethiopian-born, San Francisco-based singer songwriter Meklit Hadero.

Meklit erupted to national notice with the 2010 release of her CD "On a Day Like This" bringing her music to a whole new audience.  She performs next Friday, March 23rd at the Herbst Theater for SFJazz.  Hear her on KALW this Thursday at 9pm.