Respect plus 2008
Fanfare Ciocarlia / Romania
14. 1. - Palác Akropolis, 19:00 / Respect Plus
A brass band? While the Central European ones preach musical idiocy, their peers on the Eastern side of the continent spark with energy, brisk rhythms, and fire. Their breathtaking music is powered by home-made slivovitz and Gypsy feeling - and there is still more to discover.
Amsterdam Klezmer Band / Holandsko
31. 1. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
The Amsterdam Klezmer Band (AKB) is an energetic and poetic stage-act consisting of 7 musicians that have charmed an international audience for over 10 years. Their music is a very lively and refreshing mix of Eastern European styles that transcends traditional Balkan and Klezmer music.
Bembeya Jazz / Guinea
24. 10. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
In the mid-'60s, Bembeya Jazz, (which takes its name from the river that runs through their remote hometown of Beyla) was certified as a national band by Guinea's first president Sekou Toure. The band moved to the capital, Conakry, where they performed as many as six nights each week and felt pressure to develop the hottest spine-tingling sounds. From this era emerged their signature four-guitar section, the introduction of Hawaiian slide guitar, and stunning stage performances.
Etran Finatawa / Niger
4. 11. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
Etran Finatawa's musicians come from Niger which is one of the three poorest countries in the world, it is a landlocked country in West Africabordered by Mali, Algeria, Libya, Chad and Nigeria. Niger has a very rich cultural heritage and sits at a desert crossroads between the Berber and Arab cultures of the North and the many sub-Saharan cultures of the South. Etran Finatawa was formed as a band at the time of the 2004 Festival in the Desert near Timbuctou. The literal meaning of their name is 'the stars of tradition'.
Asa / Nigeria,France
9. 11. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
Asa was born to parents from Nigeria in Paris and grew up in Lagos. "Lagos is the New York of Nigeria. If you want to get anywhere in music, that's where you'll find the best opportunities, as well as the worst pitfalls."
Lila Downs / Mexico
13. 11. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
The bi-lingual singer comes to Prague for the first time, to launch her new album. Her powerful persona, positive aura and voice that ranges from dusky to penetrating caught Hollywood's attention. She played a role in the Salma Hayek film about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. She sang the soundtrack song "Burn It Blue," which was Oscar-nominated, and became the first Latina to perform at the Academy Awards telecast. She also captured a Latin Grammy in the Best Folk Album category for 2004's One Blood/Una Sangre. Lila Downs, born in Oaxaca, Mexico, is the daughter of Mixtec cabaret singer Anita Sánchez and Allen Downs, a Scottish/English-American art professor. She grew up in Oaxaca, California and Minnesota, where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in voice and anthropology.
The Skatalites / Jam
29. 11. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
SKA, ROCK STEADY, REGGAE: IT ALL BEGAN WITH SKATALITES, JAMAICA'S GREATEST BAND... In early 60's, when Beatles made their first albums, a similar revolution started in Jamaica. Skatalites were a band of highly skilled musicians, who backed most of the top stars of the day, including not yet discovered Bob Marley. The line-up lasted only one year, but in the 80's Skatalites reformed. Today their old masters timeless grace can be matched only by Buena Vista Social Club. In 90's they were twice nominated for Grammy, their "Hi-Bop Ska" was elected as the best reggae album by the National American Independent Record Distribution. After 40 years they still deliver steaming hot licks without losing an inch of their youth. Since Bob Marley passed away, Skatalites are the last survivors of classical era of Jamaican music.
Ljiljana Buttler / BiH
3. 12. - Palác Akropolis, 19:30 / Respect Plus
"Ljiljana Buttler is one of the great re-discovered voices of Eastern Europe. Deep, dark and distinctive. Her recording with the Mostar Sevdah Reunion band, The Mother of Gypsy Soul (Snail Records) is one of my CDs of the year and impresses everyone I've played it to." -- Simon Broughton (Songlines)
