The Picnic - Dream of the Sun (with special guest Vusi Mahlasela)

After 2 years in the making (and 4 children later),

 the Valdmanis' brothers long awaited CD has finally been released. 

World renown South African singer, Vusi Mahlasela, otherwise known as 'The Voice',
has guest appeared on 'Come my Way', Track 2.  Check it out!

Available on itunes and their new website.  Click here for more information.

Youssou N'Dour

One thing that Senegal does not lack, is music. And really really good music. On any given night, there are several music clubs that have live African music that start around 10 and play in to the wee hours.

Just 1/2 a mile from our house lives Youssou N'Dour, who in 2004 Rolling Stone magazine named the most popular musician from Africa. He created a style of music called 'mbalax' (or Mbalakh) which is the national popular dance music of Senegal and The Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal.

He sings in Wolof, the language of Senegal...a language that Rich is quickly learning from our guard Sonko. He has a club in Dakar in which you can see him on any given night when he is not touring. We have yet to see him, as he typically takes the stage at 3 am.

Below are two sample songs of his music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH8koG6brAQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwl0SDZGfHI (Great video! Ha!)