RN Documentary: The Music House
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Series: RN Documentaries
Length: 29:30
In the rainforests of central Africa, the Baka pygmies have one of the oldest and most sensitive musical cultures on Earth. They sing to draw animals prior to a hunt, to wake the forest spirits to protect them, or even to stay in contact while traveling through the dense undergrowth. Music permeates their everyday life. More than a decade ago, British musician Martin Cradick and his wife Su Hart traveled to South East Cameroon to record the haunting sounds of the Baka, live in the rainforest. Martin and Su formed the band Baka Beyond, incorporating Baka sounds into their music and popularized the Baka sound worldwide.
Now Martin and Su and a team of volunteers are going back again to Africa. They?re using the royalties of those recordings to build the Baka a special house, at the Baka?s own request: Eka Morgan accompanied the crew to make ?The Music House.?
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Piece Description
In the rainforests of central Africa, the Baka pygmies have one of the oldest and most sensitive musical cultures on Earth. They sing to draw animals prior to a hunt, to wake the forest spirits to protect them, or even to stay in contact while traveling through the dense undergrowth. Music permeates their everyday life. More than a decade ago, British musician Martin Cradick and his wife Su Hart traveled to South East Cameroon to record the haunting sounds of the Baka, live in the rainforest. Martin and Su formed the band Baka Beyond, incorporating Baka sounds into their music and popularized the Baka sound worldwide. Now Martin and Su and a team of volunteers are going back again to Africa. They?re using the royalties of those recordings to build the Baka a special house, at the Baka?s own request: Eka Morgan accompanied the crew to make ?The Music House.?
Musical Works
HNCD 1378 Track 1 Yelli 1, Traditional Baka song 2 min
HNCD 1378 Track 4 Water Drums 1, Traditional Baka 1 min
HNCD 1378 Track 12 Limbindi, Traditional Baka 1 min
HNCD 1378 Track 19 Toji playing the Ngombi na p?k?, 30 sec
HNCD 1378 Track 20 Forest Party, 1 min
Related Website
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Route 66 (57:54)
Sydney Lewis
Posted on April 20, 2004 at 01:53 PM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: The Music House
Lovely, respectful documentary, filled with great sound, interesting information, and vivid details. The producer does an excellent job of weaving the elements into an almost hypnotic portrait of the music house-building project. The Baka live in the dense rain forest and learn to navigate by sound, which makes them a perfect radio subject. Interviews with various Baka, the musicians who are funding the project, and the builder give a strong sense of place and culture. Great range of tape -- everything from the trip ferrying tin into the forest, to Baka voices merging with the birds – engages the ear in a variety of ways. About art, life, honoring ancient ways, and creating community across cultures. An excellent way to spend half an hour. Can be broadcast any season, but feels timely this spring moment as our ears brighten at the sounds of birdsong.