R.I.P. Paquita la del Barrio 🌹

The Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio has died. With her music, she sent a powerful message against macho culture. "Las mujeres mandan" ("Women rule") and "Hombres malvados" ("Bad men") - the song titles of the artist, whose real name was Francisca Viveros Barradas, speak volumes. With her feminist lyrics, she repeatedly broke with the conventions of the Mexican music world dominated by men and romantic songs. Her most famous song, "Rata de dos patas" ("Rat on two legs"), does not shy away from swear words and was celebrated as an "anthem against betrayal and abuse". She was nominated for three Grammys for her music in the traditional Mexican genre of rancheras and was honored at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards. In 2023, she left the stage due to health problems. She died on Monday in Veracruz at the age of 77.

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Turkish pop star sentenced to prison

Gülsen

Turkish pop singer Gülsen has been sentenced to prison. A court sentenced the 46-year-old to 10 months' probation on Wednesday, state news agency Anadolu reported. The allegations are related to Gülsen's statements at a concert in April 2022, at which she attributed the "perversity" of a band colleague to his time at an Imam Hatip school. Jokingly, as the singer claims. Imam Hatip Schools are state educational institutions with a focus on religious education. The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also attended such a school. The singer's lawyer reportedly plans to appeal the verdict.

Klaus Schulze: Thank you for the music!

Klaus Schulze died on Tuesday evening (April 26) after a long illness at the age of 74, his management announced on Wednesday. Nonetheless, his death came as a surprise. In fact, he was most recently working on a new album, which is due out this summer.

Without him, the music world would probably be different today: Klaus Schulze has had a decisive influence on electronic music. With his tapestries of sound, the native of Berlin inspired many other musicians such as David Bowie and Brian Eno. #klausschulze #electrononicmusic #yassassin #thankyouforthemusic

 

ROSALÍA - SAOKO - From the new Album "Motomami"

No European music star is as in demand around the world as Rosalía. Within a very short time she made it from flamenco newcomer to Spanish global pop sensation. With "Motomami" the Catalan remains on her road to success. Rosalía's third album sounds varied and diverse. The songs are playful and avant-garde. For example, in "Saoko" she built in a free jazz passage right in the middle. #rosalia #motomami #flamenco #freejazz #outernational #yassassin

Kolektif İstanbul - Kabadan Bombiçka

Kolektif Istanbul

In 2005 the French saxophonist and clarinetist Richard Laniepce came to Istanbul for a three-month stay. Now he still lives where he immediately formed an unusual band. The French-Turkish band "Kolektif Istanbul" say of themselves that they make modern wedding music. Music in the long and rich tradition of Turkish and Balkan celebration music. The sextet from Istanbul makes music with an emphasis on urban and very groovy. With a mix of traditional instruments from the region, but also keyboards and drums and a sousaphone as a funky bass, the band surprises with unexpected combinations.

WOLFGANG HAFFNER: KIND OF TANGO - NEW ALBUM

WOLFGANG HAFFNER: KIND OF TANGO - NEW ALBUM

You don't have to be a tango fan to get involved with "Kind of Tango". The title already says that someone here approaches tango according to their own ideas. As a result, the virtuoso German-French-Swedish sextet escapes the temptation to want to be more Argentine than the official representatives of this style of music. Recordings in which non-Argentineans let themselves be inspired by the flair of this music and its creative possibilities and play tango in a mixture of respect and impartiality have a very special charm. That is exactly Haffner's approach. Many years ago, during a tour in Buenos Aires, the drummer even had the opportunity to perform with the tango legend Astor Piazzolla. In addition to his own compositions from among his sextet, Haffner's album also features Piazzolla classics such as Libertango "and Close Your Eyes And Listen". You are happy to follow this request and are then rewarded with a flawlessly transparent sound and an extremely relaxed tango.

US composer Steve Reich turns 85

US composer Steve Reich turns 85.

The American Steve Reich is one of the most renowned living composers and is honored worldwide. He is considered a pioneer of "minimal music". "The New Yorker" described Steve Reich as "the most original musical head of our time", and the "New York Times" even considers him "one of the greatest composers of the century". The two-time Grammy winner (for his work "Different Trains" in 1988 and for "Music for 18 Musicians" in 1998) has influenced the music world. #stevereich #minimalmusic #differenttrains