“Kexp” (Used 25 times)

Shabazz Palaces are a Seattle-based hip-hop group led by Ishmael Butler aka 'Palaceer Lazaro' (once 'Butterfly' of jazz-rap group Digable Planets) and multi-instrumentalist Tendai 'Baba' Maraire, son of mbira master Dumisani Maraire.

The duo performed several times at Seattle's mighty KEXP. A track from their 2009 appearance, "Hottabatch," can be is today's #FMAmp3. Their latest 2011 session is available on vinyl in celebration of Record Store Day, Sat April 21st. Check out all the special RSD releases here.

In addition to their recordings—their latest LP is 2011's Black Up (Sub Pop)—Shabazz Palaces live performances are not to be missed. There's a fantastic video from their 2011 KEXP session below with thumb piano prominently featured. Catch them on tour now.

A cousin of the Farka Touré family, Khaïra Arby took Mali's national music competition by storm in 1970 when she was just eleven years old. But despite her gift for song, she soon found herself given to marriage with a man who forbade singing. After years of frustration, Khaira Arby divorced to embark on a career in music. She joined Mali's national band and blossomed into a renowned solo artist in the 1990s, known as "The Nightingale of the North" to the south's "Songbird of Wassoulou," Oumou Sangaré.

On the heels of her first international release, Khaïra Arby visited the KEXP studios in Seattle for this live performance on The Best Ambiance with Jon Kertzer. She performed with her band from the deserts north of Tombouctou, Kevin Suggs with songs in the Sonrai, Arabic, Tamashek, and Bambara languages of the Sahara. Video after the jump, with more on KEXP's blog.

Khaira Arby is on Facebook & Twitter. MP3s @ iTunes

This week, Iceland Airwaves announced the latest additions to their lineup for October 2011, prompting a look & a listen back to KEXP's trip to Reykjavik for Iceland Airwaves 2010 featuring some of Iceland's most exciting artists.

Today I'd like to spotlight the avant-punk band S.H. Draumur from Kópavogur, Iceland. Originally active from 1982-1988, the three-piece was inspired by Pere Ubu, Suicide, Swell Maps, Joy Division and The Birthday Party, as well as by the vibrant Icelandic music scene, where they served as the local opener for Swans and Einsturzende Neubauten. Along with a handful of cassettes and 7"s, S.H. Draumur recorded one LP -- Goð -- over the course of 50 hours spent in a YMCA community center, as bassist/vocalist Dr. Guuni recounts in The Reykjavik Grapevine.

That sought-after LP (picutred R) was reissued by Iceland's Kimi Records in 2010 to coincide with S.H. Draumur's reunion at the Iceland Airwaves Festival. KEXP was there all the way from Seattle (Reykjavik's "sister city") to record the performance (stream it here), and "Nótt Eins Og Þessi" (below) is part of KEXP's Iceland Airwaves MP3 compilation.

KEXP will return to Iceland Airwaves for the third year in a row Oct 12-16th 2011. This year's lineup again features an incredible array of Icelandic artists (including Retro Stefson and Who Knew who are also featured in KEXP's 2010 mix) and internationals (tUnE-yArDs, K-X-P, Liturgy, Dungen, Suuns, and Beach House to name a few). Check out the latest on the 2011 lineup here and more of KEXP's Iceland Airwaves coverage here.

Hello from Austin in the Lone Star Beer state! SXSW Music starts today, and as I was flipping through the schedule trying to figure out what to see & hear (aside from FMA curators' happenings listed below, and the WFMU / FMA show on Friday), I realized that there are well over 100 125 SXSW artists with curated mp3s in the FMA library. So I made a couple three mixes for you...

I'm sure I missed a bunch of great FMA artists who are in town this week though, especially if you factor in all the unofficial shows -- more than anyone can keep track of (though some have tried). Many FMA curators are putting on shows or broadcasting live as well:

* The FMA is co-presenting WFMU's fourth-annual showcase at Barbarella on Friday night, with Sun Araw, The Endtables, él-g, and more (including a special guest who is one of my personal favorites but we can't announce it yet!). More details on the blog and here's a F-book event.

* KEXP is broadcasting from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop March 16-18th with sets by The Black Angels, Steve Wynn & The Miracle Three, Yuck, Wild Flag and many more -- check the blog for details on other KEXP-related happenings, including the SxSeattle Party (info). And DJ Chilly of Mo'Glo's put together some great Latin Music Recommendations.

* dublab is broadcasting from Domy Books' 'What x Whatever' with music from Daedelus, Mount Kimbie, Asura and many more Wednesday thru Saturday.

* CBC Radio 3 is coming to Austin for BBQ and broadcasting live music by the likes of Malajube, Buck 65, and Imaginary Cities (info)

And in case you missed True Chip Til Death's feature on SXSW chip music happenings in Austin, click that link (but unfortunately one of the best was last nite!).

Hope you can tune in / swing by these events, and we'll be sure to post some highlight mp3s to the FMA. In the meantime, if you download this mix and enjoy it alongside some bbq, tacos, and/or beer, it'll be just like Austin!

So many incredible artists have played live on KEXP this year, from top local Seattle artists like Damien Jurado and Black Stax, to those of international renown like Vieux Farka Touré, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Beach House, and Devendra Banhardt. The venues have ranged from KEXP's 90.3-FM headquarters in Seattle, to the Cutting Room Floor in New York City (where KEXP programming airs on 91.5-FM), to live events like Bumbershoot, SXSW, and the Capital Hill Block Party.

We've put together seven mixes that offer some of the many highlights from KEXP's live performances:

KEXP 2010: Worldwide -- 2010 marked the 25th anniversary of "The Best Ambiance" hosted by Jon Kertzer, and these were just a few of the many recent highlights:

KEXP 2010: Shimmering Pop -- these artists bring a fresh, irresistable approach to pop music

KEXP 2010: Rock! -- classic artists like The Wedding Present and The Posies, contemporary heavy-weights like Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady plus up-and-coming artists like White Mystery and Love Is All...