DJ Spooky has posted an very cool mixtape that’s a free download. You can preview it below and get the full scoop at Spooky’s site.
“Brian Eno once famously remarked that the problem with computers is that there isn’t enough Africa in them. I kind of think that its the opposite: they’re bringing the ideals of Africa: after all, computers are about connectivity, shareware, a sense of global discussion about topics and issues, the relentless density of info overload, and above all the willingness to engage and discuss it all – that’s something you could find on any street corner in Africa.
I just wanted to highlight the point: Digital Africa is here, and has been here for a while. This isn’t “retro” – it’s about the future.
The “Ghost World” mix is all about the multiple rhythms and languages of Africa, but it makes no attempt to give you everything – it’s from my record collection. That’s why the “story” of the mix is about: polyrhythm, multiplex reality. There’s even more current material like the Kuduru sounds of Luanda (who says Techno doesn’t exist in Africa!?) and old school hip hop like Zimbabwe Legit from the early 90’s of classic “conscious” school hip hop. Yes there’s material from Akon, but he gets mixed with Nelson Mandela, or MC Solaar, but I looked for material of his that combined with jazz, so Ron Carter’s brilliant bass playing worked out with that. There’s even material from my favorite South African composer, Abdullah Ibrahim or vocal outtakes from David Byrne and Brian Eno’s “My Life in The Bush of Ghosts” and various guest appearances by African dictator Idi Amin or the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo talking about democracy in Nigeria.”
via Xeni Jardin
This is a perfect example of what idiotic technobabble you get from politicaly correct music stars, who do not live in the real world. I say send Brian Eno and DJ spooky to live in Africa. They can debate how their surroundings relate to computers, while someone tries to kill them or take everything they have.
Jack
Did you like the music, though?
You know I suspect Brian Eno’s remark had nothing to do with the political or social situations on the African continent, but rather was about music. Brian Eno may be active in social issues, more so than most musicians, but generally his music tends be nothing more than art, and as such I suspect any such comments are from an artistic perspective.
Besides, with the amount of money Brian Eno has made I suspect he’s more likely to have been to various African countries than someone like myself, and thus would be more qualified to comment on things over there more so than I.