A whisper from the spirit, soft and clear, To love, to live, to banish fear. In every heartbeat, every song, A pulse of passion, loud and strong. With hands that reach across the skies, Uniting souls, where hope still flies. For love is light, and peace is fire, To lift the world, our shared desire. One rhythm, one beat, one human race, No borders, creeds, nor time nor space. We dance together, side by side, In this circle, our hearts collide. Through music's call, we rise, we sing, And let the bells of freedom ring. Colours blend, and walls fall down, Peace reigns as evil drowns. So dance, my friends, and raise the light, For in our unity, we fight. Together, strong, we’ll build anew— A world of peace for me and you. Much love and peace, From every beat, let spirits release. Your DJ/Selector Colin Stanley @ Groovasmique

The Rhythm of Peace

 

"Music crosses borders, transcends barriers, bridges gaps and reaches the places other art forms can not reach. Your heart and soul benefit greatly from submitting to the Rhythm!" African Rhythms, World Music, Afrobeat, Reggae, Ska, Dub and more. Dancing to music from all around the world can be a thrilling and transformative experience for a number of reasons. Here are some of the best reasons to dance to global grooves: Exposure to new cultures and perspectives: Dancing to music from different parts of the world can expose you to new cultures, traditions, and perspectives that you may not have encountered before. This can broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding and appreciation of the world around you. Celebration of diversity: Dancing to global grooves is a celebration of diversity and a recognition of the rich cultural tapestry that makes up our world. It can help foster a sense of unity and respect for all cultures and peoples. Physical and emotional release: Dancing is a great way to release pent-up energy and emotions. When you dance to global grooves, you can tap into the unique rhythms and beats of different cultures, which can be invigorating and cathartic. Exploration of self-expression: Dancing to music from different parts of the world can inspire new forms of self-expression and creativity. It can challenge you to move your body in new and interesting ways and help you develop your own unique style. Joy and fun: Ultimately, dancing to global grooves is about joy and fun. It's an opportunity to let loose, have a good time, and connect with others who share your passion for music and dance. So whether you're exploring African rhythms, Afrobeat, Global Grooves, Reggae, or any other genre, dancing to music from all around the world can be a transformative and enriching experience that can bring you joy, connection, and a deeper understanding of the world around you.

Get your groove on!

 

Africa is a continent rich in diverse musical traditions, with countless music styles originating from various regions and cultures. Here's a list of some of the prominent music styles in Africa, along with their countries of origin and well-known bands or artists associated with them: Afrobeat Country of Origin: Nigeria Well-known Bands/Artists: Fela Kuti, Tony Allen, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Antibalas Highlife Country of Origin: Ghana Well-known Bands/Artists: E.T. Mensah, Osibisa, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Amakye Dede, Daddy Lumba Juju Country of Origin: Nigeria Well-known Bands/Artists: King Sunny Adé, Ebenezer Obey, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Sir Shina Peters Mbalax Country of Origin: Senegal Well-known Bands/Artists: Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal, Omar Pene, Thione Seck, Cheikh Lô Soukous (also known as Congo or Lingala music) Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Congo-Brazzaville Well-known Bands/Artists: Franco Luambo Makiadi, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide, Awilo Longomba Hiplife Country of Origin: Ghana Well-known Bands/Artists: Reggie Rockstone, Obrafour, Sarkodie, VIP, M.anifest Benga Country of Origin: Kenya Well-known Bands/Artists: D.O. Misiani & Shirati Jazz, Victoria Kings Band, George Ramogi & the Kenge Kenge Orutu System Chimurenga Country of Origin: Zimbabwe Well-known Bands/Artists: Thomas Mapfumo, The Bhundu Boys, Oliver Mtukudzi, Stella Chiweshe, Chiwoniso Maraire Tuku Music Country of Origin: Zimbabwe Well-known Bands/Artists: Oliver Mtukudzi (also known as Tuku), The Black Spirits Gnawa Country of Origin: Morocco Well-known Bands/Artists: Gnawa Diffusion, Hassan Hakmoun, Maâlem Mahmoud Guinia Afro-Cuban Music Country of Origin: Cuba (with African influences) Well-known Bands/Artists: Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer, Celia Cruz, Afro-Cuban All Stars Ethio-Jazz Country of Origin: Ethiopia Well-known Bands/Artists: Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed, Hailu Mergia, Getatchew Mekurya Taarab Country of Origin: Tanzania Well-known Bands/Artists: Bi Kidude, Culture Musical Club, Zuhura & Party Afro-Pop Country of Origin: Various African countries Well-known Bands/Artists: Youssou N'Dour (Senegal), Salif Keita (Mali), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Miriam Makeba (South Africa), Fela Kuti (Nigeria) These are just a few examples of the vast array of music styles found across Africa, each with its own unique sounds, rhythms, and cultural significance.

Key African Music Styles

 

Reggae, ska, and calypso music, along with other Caribbean genres, have been instrumental in spreading messages of unity, positivity, and social justice. Here's a list of some of the most influential artists from the Caribbean over the last 70 years, along with notable titles, and why their music emphasizes the importance of following the ways of Rastafari and projecting positive vibrations: A few tracks for starters from my fave playlists are as follows. Bob Marley (Jamaica) Title: "One Love" Title: "Redemption Song" Bob Marley's music is deeply rooted in Rastafari philosophy, advocating for love, unity, and social change. His songs often carry messages of hope, equality, and spirituality, encouraging listeners to embrace the principles of Rastafari and spread positivity. Peter Tosh (Jamaica) Title: "Legalize It" Title: "Equal Rights" Peter Tosh, a staunch advocate for the legalization of marijuana and social justice, used his music to promote the teachings of Rastafari and to challenge societal injustices. His songs resonate with themes of empowerment, liberation, and equality. Jimmy Cliff (Jamaica) Title: "Many Rivers to Cross" Title: "The Harder They Come" Jimmy Cliff's music reflects the struggles and triumphs of the human experience, promoting messages of perseverance, resilience, and unity. His songs encourage listeners to overcome obstacles and embrace positivity in the face of adversity. Toots and the Maytals (Jamaica) Title: "Pressure Drop" Title: "54-46 That's My Number" Toots and the Maytals' energetic and soulful music embodies the spirit of Rastafari, advocating for peace, love, and unity. Their songs celebrate the joy of life and the power of music to uplift the soul and bring people together. Steel Pulse (Jamaica/UK) Title: "Your House" Title: "Rally Round" Steel Pulse's socially conscious music addresses issues of oppression, injustice, and inequality, urging listeners to stand up for their rights and work towards positive change. Their songs promote unity, solidarity, and the principles of Rastafari. Following the ways of Rastafari and projecting positive vibrations across nations is important because it fosters a sense of unity, love, and respect for all living beings. Rastafari philosophy emphasizes the importance of spiritual enlightenment, social justice, and harmony with nature, principles that are reflected in the music of reggae, ska, calypso, and other Caribbean genres. By spreading messages of love, peace, and equality, artists from the Caribbean inspire listeners to embrace positivity, uplift their communities, and strive for a better world.

Reggae Vibrations across the nations!

 

"Sacred drumming is seen as a blessed expression of healing, honoring traditions, and spiritual exploration. Drumming has a rhythmic tone of the drummer's intention that the listeners embody. Regarded as a living entity, the drum is viewed simultaneously as a spiritual guardian and a creativity device. Drumming can connect you to your soul's wisdom." A drum circle is a diverse group of individuals gathering for the common purpose of creative self expression in a group music making experience. Rhythmical expression is as ancient and unique as man and found through out world, represented in art, celebration, meditation, and wellness situations. Today Drum Circles are commonly used for social gatherings or to promote wellness in populations such as nursing homes, assisted living, at risk youth, mentally or physically challenged, and various community and corporate situations. A Community Drum Circle is a place for individuals to express themselves through the use of drums and percussion instruments. These instruments are accessible to a multi-generational and multicultural community. An individual can express themselves through the instrument without much skill or technique, becoming a part in the group song. The use of different timbal instruments (drums, shakers, bells, etc.) allows the group to experience a metaphoric relation of the unique individuals involved in creating a diverse spontaneous rhythmic song, fun for the the whole group. As the groups sounds evolve, participants begin to hear the rhythmic interdependent relationships creating the songs. Conversations through rhythmic pulses emerge as the community becomes connected beyond the music produced. A Drum Circle Facilitator is an individual who makes this interactive music making experience "easier" for the participants. A Facilitator on the most nominal description, is creating a space for the expression of a community. Trained professional facilitators recognize the need for empowering each individual as the consciousness of the entire group evolves into a musical composition. Drum Circle Facilitators act in service to the group, helping individuals achieve greater personal potential, shared joy, and interdependent group dynamics. A Facilitator develops a rapport with the participants and through various techniques is able to assist the music into various compositions unique to the population. These compositions become musically sound as the facilitator guides the group to listen and explore their personal expression interacting as an audible organism. Trained Facilitators have a consistent style and technique often inspired by the various communities they regularly work with. Drumming in a drum circle can be beneficial for several reasons: Promotes relaxation and stress relief: Drumming in a drum circle can be a meditative and therapeutic experience, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation. The repetitive and rhythmic nature of drumming can help to calm the mind and body, and promote a sense of peace and tranquility. Builds a sense of community: Drumming in a circle can create a sense of community and connectedness. The shared experience of playing music together can help people bond and feel a sense of belonging and unity. Encourages creativity and self-expression: Drumming in a circle can be a creative and expressive experience. Participants are encouraged to explore and experiment with different rhythms and beats, and to express themselves through their drumming. Enhances coordination and motor skills: Drumming in a circle can improve hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and rhythm. It can also help to improve focus and concentration, as participants need to listen to the rhythms of others and play in time with the group. Promotes cultural awareness: Many drum circles incorporate rhythms and instruments from different cultural traditions. Participating in a drum circle can be a way to learn about and appreciate different musical and cultural traditions. Overall, drumming in a drum circle can be a fun and uplifting experience that promotes relaxation, community, creativity, and cultural awareness. My favorite drummer of all time is Babatunde Olatunji. He was a highly respected Nigerian drummer and percussionist who was known for his unique blend of traditional African rhythms and modern jazz music. His music is still highly regarded today and has inspired many musicians and artists around the world. Olatunji's music is a great example of the power of world music to bring people together and celebrate diversity. Through his music, Olatunji was able to bridge cultural divides and connect with people from all over the world. His music is a testament to the universal language of music and its ability to bring people together. If you enjoy Olatunji's music, there are many other great world music artists out there that you might enjoy. From the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat to the haunting melodies of Indian classical music, the world of music is full of incredible artists and sounds that are waiting to be discovered.

     

It all starts with one beat!

 

Harvard researchers have conducted a groundbreaking study on music as a universal cultural phenomenon, supporting Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's claim that "music is the universal language of mankind." Led by Samuel Mehr, Manvir Singh, and Luke Glowacki, the study aimed to understand whether music is a cultural universal and which features of music are shared across societies. The research involved creating a comprehensive database, The Natural History of Song, which combined nearly 5,000 ethnographic descriptions of songs from 60 societies and 118 songs from 86 cultures. This project, a collaboration with experts from multiple disciplines, included detailed analysis of various musical attributes such as singers, instruments, audience, and the context of the music, such as its connection to behaviors like infant care, healing, dance, and love. One of the key findings was that certain types of songs—like lullabies, dance songs, and love songs—share similar musical features across cultures. This suggests that musical forms are shaped by the functions they serve. For example, lullabies and dance songs, despite serving very different purposes, show similar musical structures, a key observation for those studying the cognitive and social foundations of music. The study also touched on the concept of "musical grammar," a theory suggesting that there are universal principles underlying musical structure. The team proposed that the concept of tonality, commonly believed to be unique to Western music, might actually be a universal feature of music. This opens up new questions about the cognitive mechanisms behind music-making and the rules that govern it across human societies. The research supports the idea that music is deeply embedded in human culture, challenging previous assumptions and providing evidence for its universality.

Universal Language

 

Osibisa "Woyaya" We are going, heaven knows where we are going But we know within And We will get there, heaven knows how we will get there But know we will Yes We will get there, heaven knows how we will get there But know we will It will be hard we know And the road will be muddy and rough But we'll get there, heaven knows how we will get there But We know we will Woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya We are going, heaven knows where we are going But we know within And We will get there, heaven knows how we will get there But know we will It will be hard we know And the road will be muddy and rough But we'll get there, heaven knows how we will get there But We know we will Woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya,woyaya Woyayadiyaya, woyaya,woyayadiyaya,woyaya, woyaydiyaya,woyaya,woyayadiyaya Although conventionally spelled Woyaya the album's title is actually Wɔyaya (with an open-o), which comes from the Ghanaian Ga language of the Ga-Dangme people and translates as "We are going".[

My #1 track from Osibisa.

Woyaya