Big news..line up.. FREE events...Summer of Give

Malawi music festival is back. And back like never before with even more live acts now crossing the world to perform at this unique experience.

The dates for the 2010 vinspired Lake of Stars Festival were announced last month. Now we proudly reveal the first wave of artists who are set to light up Malawi like a blazing fire with confirmed acts including The Noisettes, Tinashé, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Afrikan Boy, Jon McClure of Reverend & the Makers, Eddy Temple Morris and Goldierocks with many more to come.

This year is all about experiences, with the music festivals in the obvious destinations no longer enough for the experienced adventurers. Now is the perfect time to join the vinspired Lake of Stars Festival and embark on an experience that you have never experienced before.

The flights and tickets are on sale with STA Travel

Contact our dedicated STA Travel for the best flight and festival ticket deals:
0871 230 8581 lakeofstars@statravel.co.uk

// In other news: May 5th //

The 5th of may event went down fanstastic with Dr. Francis Moto, Malawian High Commissioner to the UK , addressing an enthralled audience here at our Rich Mix HQ.

Check out what Dr. Francis Moto had to say on this blog.

Also here’s something a little extra for you:

Log on here http://www.lakeofstars.org/ to see the BBC short about the festival.

// To get a taste of things to come we’re holding some more live events//

2nd July, Rich Mix, Shoreditch >>> http://bit.ly/9EdTel

11th July, Birmingham >>> http://bit.ly/cHFeD0

25th July, Rich Mix, Shoreditch part of AfroCup http://www.richmix.org.uk

With all this great news that’s all from us for now we hope to see you soon.



Connect with the festival:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-of-Stars/356889956151?ref=ts
http://www.myspace.com/lakeofstarsfestival
http://twitter.com/lakeofstars



v has launched 'Summer of Give', a brand new initiative asking 18-25 year olds across the country to give their free time this summer to get the time of their lives for FREE at some of the UK's most sought after - and already sold out music festivals including T4 on the Beach, Relentless Boardmasters and Creamfields.

Talented 18-25 year olds are being called upon to join the vcrew on the bigvbus at each location. The deal? Get creative and share your time and talents with others in return for free festival access. Simple.

All willing volunteers have to do is log on to www.vinspired.com/summerofgive and tell v what skills they can uniquely offer for free at each festival location. So whether it's music, dance, photography, writing or even fashion styling skills that make you stand out from the crowd, v needs your help and for just four hours a day. That’s it!

Aspiring DJ's and bands could hit the top deck of the bigvbus and play a warm up festival set while promising photographers and writers snap, blog and tweet the festival scene. Graffiti artists and dancers could even hold master classes on-board - it's your call, just tell v what you can do.

For further details on ‘Summer of Give,’ deadlines for each festival applications and v’s terms and conditions, please log on to www.vinspired.com/summerofgive

Big news..line up.. FREE events...Summer of Give

Malawi music festival is back. And back like never before with even more live acts now crossing the world to perform at this unique experience.

The dates for the 2010 vinspired Lake of Stars Festival were announced last month. Now we proudly reveal the first wave of artists who are set to light up Malawi like a blazing fire with confirmed acts including The Noisettes, Tinashé, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Afrikan Boy, Jon McClure of Reverend & the Makers, Eddy Temple Morris and Goldierocks with many more to come.

This year is all about experiences, with the music festivals in the obvious destinations no longer enough for the experienced adventurers. Now is the perfect time to join the vinspired Lake of Stars Festival and embark on an experience that you have never experienced before.

The flights and tickets are on sale with STA Travel

Contact our dedicated STA Travel for the best flight and festival ticket deals:
0871 230 8581 lakeofstars@statravel.co.uk

// In other news: May 5th //

The 5th of may event went down fanstastic with Dr. Francis Moto, Malawian High Commissioner to the UK , addressing an enthralled audience here at our Rich Mix HQ.

Check out what Dr. Francis Moto had to say on this blog.

Also here’s something a little extra for you:

Log on here http://www.lakeofstars.org/ to see the BBC short about the festival.

// To get a taste of things to come we’re holding some more live events//

2nd July, Rich Mix, Shoreditch >>> http://bit.ly/9EdTel

11th July, Birmingham >>> http://bit.ly/cHFeD0

25th July, Rich Mix, Shoreditch part of AfroCup http://www.richmix.org.uk

With all this great news that’s all from us for now we hope to see you soon.



Connect with the festival:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-of-Stars/356889956151?ref=ts
http://www.myspace.com/lakeofstarsfestival
http://twitter.com/lakeofstars



v has launched 'Summer of Give', a brand new initiative asking 18-25 year olds across the country to give their free time this summer to get the time of their lives for FREE at some of the UK's most sought after - and already sold out music festivals including T4 on the Beach, Relentless Boardmasters and Creamfields.

Talented 18-25 year olds are being called upon to join the vcrew on the bigvbus at each location. The deal? Get creative and share your time and talents with others in return for free festival access. Simple.

All willing volunteers have to do is log on to www.vinspired.com/summerofgive and tell v what skills they can uniquely offer for free at each festival location. So whether it's music, dance, photography, writing or even fashion styling skills that make you stand out from the crowd, v needs your help and for just four hours a day. That’s it!

Aspiring DJ's and bands could hit the top deck of the bigvbus and play a warm up festival set while promising photographers and writers snap, blog and tweet the festival scene. Graffiti artists and dancers could even hold master classes on-board - it's your call, just tell v what you can do.

For further details on ‘Summer of Give,’ deadlines for each festival applications and v’s terms and conditions, please log on to www.vinspired.com/summerofgive

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page"

Dr. Francis Moto, Malawian High Commissioner to the UK, addressed an enthralled audience at vinspired Lake of Stars' most recent event as part of the Priceless Live Series at Rich Mix in Shoreditch ...

"The organisers of Lake of Stars, especially Will Jameson, representatives of sponsors, The British Council, Selector Radio, musicians, DJs, members of the media, Lake of Stars volunteers, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen – it gives me great pleasure to be with you this evening as a guest of honour at one of the events that are organised as part of the Rich Mix Series.

I have been informed that today’s event is part of the pre-Lake of Stars festival promotion, and is aimed at providing the necessary information and feel of the forthcoming festival that will take place in October 2010 in Mangochi, Malawi, the warm heart of the continent.

I am grateful to the organisers for having booked me as guest of honour once again at this event.

It is interesting to note that the Lake of Stars festival has grown in stature over the years from humble beginnings way back in 2004 to become one of the biggest music festivals in the South African region, if not the whole of the African continent. The event has been instrumental in promoting UK and international outbound tourism to Malawi and has been important in exposing Malawian musicians to the international market.

Furthermore, I have been informed that a proportion of the proceeds of the event has been used to support works of charity in our beautiful country, and we thank you – those of you who have been to Malawi and promote it from the United Kingdom. You will agree with me that we have not only been on the receiving end in terms of charity, but Malawian entrepreneurs have also been financially empowered through the event, through the provision of goods and services.

In this regard the multiplier effect has been good. The range of beneficiaries has also been diverse – local farmers have benefitted, fisher men or fisher women, local restaurants and bars, suppliers of accommodation and transport, just to mention a few. The balance has been right, and this is what we, as a country, look forward to when renewals and cash come in through provision of goods and services. Above all the country has been able to benefit from the much needed foreign exchange. The Government of the Republic of Malawi’s International Development Strategy recognises the important role that tourism plays in the socio-economic development of the country, and is ensuring the contribution of tourism to the GDP by establishing Malawi as the principle and leading eco-tourism destination on the continent.

To this effect, the Government is on a major road and infrastructure development programme. It will embark on a star-rating exercise of the accommodation sector this year, encouraging and facilitating investment in high quality ecologies in wildlife areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty. And I say this with all humility – they are all outstanding, scenic beauty spots in the warm heart of the continent and we invite you to visit it, if not before, definitely during Lake of Stars in October 2010.

The interesting thing about Malawi is that we have an diverse product range with something for everyone, from beaches, wildlife, mountains and plateaus, horse-riding – you name it, we’ve got it. The centrepiece obviously is Lake Malawi, the venue of Lake of Stars. One expolorer, David Livingstone, arrived at Cape Maclear and wrote in his diary that he had been to many places but he hadn’t been to a place so tranquil and peaceful. I challenge you to prove him wrong – go to Mangochi and write in your own diary that this great explorer was only imagining things!

Another interesting thing about Malawi is that everyone comes back happy, and in the words of BBC Radio 1’s Mary Ann Hobbs, Malawi is “incredible, vital, humbling and a life-changing experience”. Let me also add that anyone who has been to Malawi always wants to go back, and if you think I’m only saying this because I am the High Commissioner for Malawi in the United Kingdom, do go back to those who are older than ourselves and ask them how many times they have returned to the warmth of the people on the continent.

I can assure you that Malawi is one of the safest destinations in Africa, with the warmest people in Africa and the world. I said this last year and I’ll say it again – you cannot pretend to be friendly and you cannot pretend to be friendly for long.

The people of Malawi are warm, and they are born smiling, and they are the most friendly people I have ever come across in the world. You can consult any reputable travel guide such as the Lonely Travel Series.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me not bore you on this important evening with a long speech as if I was in a lecture theatre. Let me end with a pertinent quote from St Augustine – the saint who was walking on the shore (for those of you who failed theological studies!) – he was trying to take water from the ocean and pour it into a little hole, but what he said is more important than what i am trying to remember from my theology classes: “the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only a page”

I look forward to seeing you in Malawi in October 2010 at Lake of Stars, and I thank you for your attention. Thank you very much.”

For more information about vinspired Lake of Stars 2010, please check www.lakeofstars.org

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page"

Dr. Francis Moto, Malawian High Commissioner to the UK, addressed an enthralled audience at vinspired Lake of Stars' most recent event as part of the Priceless Live Series at Rich Mix in Shoreditch ...

"The organisers of Lake of Stars, especially Will Jameson, representatives of sponsors, The British Council, Selector Radio, musicians, DJs, members of the media, Lake of Stars volunteers, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen – it gives me great pleasure to be with you this evening as a guest of honour at one of the events that are organised as part of the Rich Mix Series.

I have been informed that today’s event is part of the pre-Lake of Stars festival promotion, and is aimed at providing the necessary information and feel of the forthcoming festival that will take place in October 2010 in Mangochi, Malawi, the warm heart of the continent.

I am grateful to the organisers for having booked me as guest of honour once again at this event.

It is interesting to note that the Lake of Stars festival has grown in stature over the years from humble beginnings way back in 2004 to become one of the biggest music festivals in the South African region, if not the whole of the African continent. The event has been instrumental in promoting UK and international outbound tourism to Malawi and has been important in exposing Malawian musicians to the international market.

Furthermore, I have been informed that a proportion of the proceeds of the event has been used to support works of charity in our beautiful country, and we thank you – those of you who have been to Malawi and promote it from the United Kingdom. You will agree with me that we have not only been on the receiving end in terms of charity, but Malawian entrepreneurs have also been financially empowered through the event, through the provision of goods and services.

In this regard the multiplier effect has been good. The range of beneficiaries has also been diverse – local farmers have benefitted, fisher men or fisher women, local restaurants and bars, suppliers of accommodation and transport, just to mention a few. The balance has been right, and this is what we, as a country, look forward to when renewals and cash come in through provision of goods and services. Above all the country has been able to benefit from the much needed foreign exchange. The Government of the Republic of Malawi’s International Development Strategy recognises the important role that tourism plays in the socio-economic development of the country, and is ensuring the contribution of tourism to the GDP by establishing Malawi as the principle and leading eco-tourism destination on the continent.

To this effect, the Government is on a major road and infrastructure development programme. It will embark on a star-rating exercise of the accommodation sector this year, encouraging and facilitating investment in high quality ecologies in wildlife areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty. And I say this with all humility – they are all outstanding, scenic beauty spots in the warm heart of the continent and we invite you to visit it, if not before, definitely during Lake of Stars in October 2010.

The interesting thing about Malawi is that we have an diverse product range with something for everyone, from beaches, wildlife, mountains and plateaus, horse-riding – you name it, we’ve got it. The centrepiece obviously is Lake Malawi, the venue of Lake of Stars. One expolorer, David Livingstone, arrived at Cape Maclear and wrote in his diary that he had been to many places but he hadn’t been to a place so tranquil and peaceful. I challenge you to prove him wrong – go to Mangochi and write in your own diary that this great explorer was only imagining things!

Another interesting thing about Malawi is that everyone comes back happy, and in the words of BBC Radio 1’s Mary Ann Hobbs, Malawi is “incredible, vital, humbling and a life-changing experience”. Let me also add that anyone who has been to Malawi always wants to go back, and if you think I’m only saying this because I am the High Commissioner for Malawi in the United Kingdom, do go back to those who are older than ourselves and ask them how many times they have returned to the warmth of the people on the continent.

I can assure you that Malawi is one of the safest destinations in Africa, with the warmest people in Africa and the world. I said this last year and I’ll say it again – you cannot pretend to be friendly and you cannot pretend to be friendly for long.

The people of Malawi are warm, and they are born smiling, and they are the most friendly people I have ever come across in the world. You can consult any reputable travel guide such as the Lonely Travel Series.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me not bore you on this important evening with a long speech as if I was in a lecture theatre. Let me end with a pertinent quote from St Augustine – the saint who was walking on the shore (for those of you who failed theological studies!) – he was trying to take water from the ocean and pour it into a little hole, but what he said is more important than what i am trying to remember from my theology classes: “the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only a page”

I look forward to seeing you in Malawi in October 2010 at Lake of Stars, and I thank you for your attention. Thank you very much.”

For more information about vinspired Lake of Stars 2010, please check www.lakeofstars.org

More Live Youssou

As promised, here is another "live" recording by Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar, the cassette Live Olympia (Productions SAPROM), recorded in Paris and released in 1991.

Live Olympia finds Youssou & the band in the more simplified mode they exhibited, at least in the international market, after achieving world fame in the mid '80s. The music is "catchier" and the performances shorter and less complex than in the earlier Jamm La Paix. Still, this is a recording well worth listening to, with a nice rendition of "Immigrés" and interesting alternate versions of some other Super Etoile hits.

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar - Sabar

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar - Bamako

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar - Immigrés

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar - Xaley Rew Mi

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar - Medina

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar - Jaam

Download Live Olympia as a zipped file here.

Live Youssou

Thanks to Aduna for posting Show!!! A Abidjan (1983), a rare live LP by Senegal's Youssou N'Dour. I was inspired to post a couple of live recordings by him myself, starting with the cassette Jamm La Paix (Productions SAPROM).

Toshiya Endo's essential Youssou N'Dour discography lists Jamm La Paix as issued in 1986, and that sounds about right. Recorded live at the Thiossane Night Club in Dakar, it features the jazzy Super Etoile sound that got us hooked back in the '80s, before the depredations of "World Music™" took hold. The band (credited here as "Super Etoile de Dakar I") has never sounded tighter, with inspired performances by all present:

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar I - Jamm (La Paix)

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar I - Sama Doom

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar I - Ale Samba

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar I - Sabar

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar I - Yonent

Youssou N'Dour & le Super Etoile de Dakar I - Jigééni Rééw Mi

Download Jamm La Paix as a zipped file here. Later I'll be posting Live Olympia, a live recording from 1991.