Ocora - Korea: Traditional classical instrumental music

Korea: Traditional classical instrumental music
(Corée: Musique instrumentale de la tradition classique)
Ocora C 558701, recorded 1982 in Radio France studio in Paris, CD released 1988

This is very refined music. The CD consists of 3 tracks:
1. Duet between 6-string zither (komungo) and hour-glass drum (changgo).
2. The album's centerpiece, a 52 minute long instrumental suite that was originally a Buddhist chant. At some point in history, the vocal part was dropped,
and the instrumental theme was enlarged to 9 parts, each a variation on the original vocal.
The piece is played here by the entire ensemble with the transverse bamboo flute (taegum) acting as the lead instrument.
3. Variations for solo bamboo flute (taegum).

Ocora - Guadeloupe - Gwoka. Soirée lèwoz à Jabrun

Guadeloupe - Gwoka. Soirée lèwoz à Jabrun
Ocora C 560030, recorded and released 1992

In Guadeloupe, the Gwoka is a musical genre which originated back in the days of slavery at the beginning of the 17th Century.
The drum was one of the principal means of communication between slaves, especially for those who fled the plantations to regain their freedom.

Ocora - Mauritius - A Tribute to Ti Frere

Mauritius - A Tribute to Ti Frere
[Ile Maurice - Hommage à Ti Frère]
Ocora C 560019, recorded 1989, CD released 1991

Ti Frère - vocals
Marlène Ravaton [Ti Frère's niece] - vocals
Henri Toussaint alias Louloune [Ti Frère's adoptive son] - vocals, maravane, triangle
Ange and William Ravaton [Ti Frère's nephews] & Dino Toussaint - ravannes
Antoine Toussaint - triangle

The 'ravanne' is a goat-skin drawn taut over a circle of wood to form a flat drum.
The 'maravanne' is a kind of hanging rattle; branches of sugarcane flowers or a metal leaf perforated with tiny holes are fixed to a wooden rectangular frame. Grains or little pebbles are placed inside the rattle and sounded by moving it from side to side. The 'triangle' is the classic instrument, a little iron rod which strikes the three sides of the triangle.

01. Roseda
02. Roseda
03. Caïambo
04. Papitou
05. Charlie O
06. Angeline
07. Chacha Ramgoolam
08. Pas faire comme moi
09. Bare
10. Ça petite femme-là
11. Fidélia
12. Elise
13. Anita
14. La grain café
15. La colère me prend
16. Noir Noir
17. Qui a balayé là
18. Ti Pierre Ti Paul
19. Ti Pierre Ti Paul
Total Time: 67'22

Ocora - North India - Amjad Ali Khan, sarod

Inde du Nord - Amjad Ali Khan, sarod & Shafat Ahmed Khan, tabla
Raga Miya-Ki-Malhar & Raga Zila-Kafi (Ragamala)
Ocora C 561011, recorded in Radio France studio 1992, CD released 2004

Mian-ki-Malhar is a rainy season raga composed by the great North Indian composer Mian Tansen. It is to be played in the late night, or, during the rainy season, at any time of the day. Its associations are depth, seriousness, and a majestic and heroic demeanour. Its ascending scale is pentatonic, the descending scale is heptatonic.
Zilla-Kafi is a mixed raga of recent origin, and it is here used as the basis for a raga-mala ("garland of ragas"), where many different scales are used in succession.

Ocora - China - Classical Music

Ocora - China - Classical Music (Chine - Musique Classique)
Ocora C 582039, recorded 1957-71, CD released 2001
(originally released 1988)

Tracks:
01. Liushui
02. Gaoshan Liushui
03. Hangong Qiu Yue
04. Shimian Maifu
05. Zhegu Fei
06. Sishang Xiang - Tu Chunxi
07. Ting Song
08. Ying Diao
09. Yimeng Shan
10. Qionghan Ge
11. Dalang Tao Sha
12. Xiu Hebao - Wang Yifu
13. Liu Yao Jin
14. Fei Hua Dian Cui
15. Haiqing Ge - Wang Boyun,
16. Changmen Yuan - Xia Fuxi
17. Pu'an Zhou

Info from Medieval.org

Ocora - China - The Art of the Qin

China - The Art of the Qin [Chine - L'Art du Qin]
played by Li Xiangting
Ocora C 560001, CD recorded and released 1990

Review from All Music Guide:
The Qin (pronounced "chin") is a seven-stringed table zither, quite possibly among the oldest Chinese musical instrument. It was cited in some poems more than 2,700 years ago. It went through different versions. The standardized 21st century version was created sometime around the second or third century A.D.

The Qin became an instrument of choice at the court during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In fact, it is the most documented Chinese musical instrument, in treatises, essays, handbooks, and poetry (there exist more than 150 handbooks on the Qin). It has been used for meditation purposes in natural environments, especially for Taoist and Confusion values, and its music has an obvious meditative character.

One interesting point to mention is that the Chinese were already using harmonics on the Qin almost 2,000 years ago. Li Xiangting, one of China's great masters of the Qin, gives an exquisite overview of this instrument, which is more than two millennium old, with pieces almost as old as the instruments. You can hear history in this fascinating music and instrument.[Bruno Deschênes]

Ocora - Birmanie [Burma] - Musique d'Art, 2CD

Birmanie [Burma] - Musique d'Art, 2CD
Ocora C559019/55020, recorded 1975-79, CD released 1989

This two disc set compiles works for the Burmese harp, the hsaing waing ensemble (a fine tuned drum, oboe, and gong ensemble), the pattala (a xylophone) and vocal songs. Though the disc covers list three tracks per cd, there are actually many more tracks - the cover lists only time per instrument, not songs, and the cd is broken up accordingly. The harp playing is rather exceptional, especially considering that it's the only harp that has survived the test of time in Asia. The main highlight of the album is most likely the hsaing waing ensemble works, which are able to contain a full dose of energy in a seemingly broken rhythm, though all performers have given parts.

Harp:
01. Maung, That Win - Htoo Machana thichinn khant et An Taw kyo (Hommage au Buddha)
02. Maung, That Win - Pa Pa Win, pat pyo (La princesse Pa Pa Win, improvisation)
03. Maung, That Win; Maung, Maung - Taw myaing ché hlin (Des pas dans le forêt)

Flute and Harp:
04. Maung, That Win - Aung mingala yodéya (Félicité de l'époque d'Ayutthaya)
05. Maung, That Win - Taw hnin taung swé (Chants des montagnes et des forêts)
06. Maung, That Win - Mézataungjé, pat pyo (Dans la forêt profonde)

Hsaing Waing:
07. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Yé guin tethalaut (Chanson des piroguiers) -
08. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Si daw aung ba lé, ninthit ké tihtaung (Souhaitzs au grand tambour lors de la construction du Palais Royal)
09. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Tethalaut tikwét léguin (Musique pour le tir à l'arc)
10. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Byaw (Musique pour l'entrée d'un novice au monastère)
11. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Thémi Ma Hla Mon té (Chanson de la princesse Ma Hla Mon)
12. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Kyi Win - Baw lé (Sérénade)

Hsaing Waing:
13. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Tin Htay - Hnin thon tha hé min (Saison de brumes)
14. Hsaing Waing Orchestra; Sein, Tin Htay - Shwégnila myinkhindaw bwai (Parade des cavaliers royaux)

Pattala:
15. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Uténa saung phwé kyo (Louanges à l'esprit de la harpe)
16. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Zabuy aungkon saungdaw bwé (Louanges à la harpe, lumière de l'univers)
17. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Shwégnila léthwéthinkat, Myinkhin (Parade des cavaliers en l'honneur des esprits)
18. Sein, Maung Aung; Maung, Maung; Sein, Maung Aung - Kaintataw tché yodéya (Louange à la forêt d'Ayuttaya)

Chant:
19. Ya, Mon Na - Taw myaing zon ka (Prélude au Ramayana)
20. Ko, Ko Myin - Yamônna, pat pyo (Louange au fleuve)

Bangladesh ~ The Garo of the Madhupur Forest [Ocora]

Bangladesh. The Garo of the Madhupur Forest
[Bangladesh. Les Garo de la forêt de Madhupur]
Ocora C 580054, recorded 1981, CD released 1994
Previously issued as LP in 1982 [Ocora 558599],
CD contains one additional selection

Traditional dance, and religious music from festivals, healing ceremonies, and everyday life of the Garo people, a small ethnical minority of Bangladesh. Recordings made during the Feast of Wangala.

Romania ~ The Real Tradition of Transylvania [Ocora, 1979]

Ocora - Romania. The real tradition of Transylvania
[Roumanie - La Vraie Tradition de Transylvanie]
Ocora C 559070, recorded 1974-79, CD released 1989

A survey of the musical folklore of Transylvania, presenting flutes and double flutes, bagpipes, songs and violins.
A pioneering disc when it was first made in the 1970s as it highlights real peasant music from Maramures and Transylvania when sanitised folklore was prevalent. It features some excellent ensembles, bagpipes and a violin with a horn, and from Maramures there's a track from Gheorghe Covaci, the son of a fiddler Bartók recorded in 1913.

Mohamed Khaznadji ~ Algéria: Anthology of Arab-Andalusian Music Vol.2. La Nûba Ghrib [Ocora]

Algeria - Anthology of Arab-Andalusian Music Vol.2
[Algérie - Anthologie de la Musique Arabo-Andalouse Vol.2]
La Nûba Ghrib - Mohamed Khaznadji
Ocora C 560003, recorded 1991, CD released 1992

01. Istikhbar
02. Touchia
03. Mode Ghrib Solo de Kanun, Ud, Ney
04. Kursi
05. Mcedder 1er mouvement. Khadam Li Saadi
06. Solo Alto, Mandoline, Kwithra, Voix
07. Introduction instrumentale
08. Btayhi 2e mouvement. Aliya Uhud
09. Introduction instrumentale
10. Darj 3e mouvement. Doumoui Rasail
11. Introduction instrumentale
12. Insraf 4e mouvement. Zarni El Malih Wahdou
13. Insraf 4e mouvement. Ya Saat El Hanya
14. Khlac 5e mouvement. Kaliftou Bil Badri

Egypt ~ The Musicians of the Nile [Ocora]

Ocora - Egypt. The Musicians of the Nile
[Egypte - Les musiciens du Nil]
Ocora C 582006, recorded in France 1976 & 1979, CD released 2001

Burkina Faso ~ Lobi Country. Funeral Xylophone [Ocora]

Ocora - Burkina Faso - Lobi Country. Funeral Xylophone
(Pays Lobi. Xylophone de Funérailles)
Ocora C 560148, recorded 1991 & 1998, CD released 1999

A collection of ritual funeral songs from the repertoire of Lobi songs for the jolonbuo (similar to the balafon in many ways). The music is deceptively simple at times, and richly complex at times, sometimes occurring together. Smaller percussion items are added to the music, as is the bembe drum, which is played throughout funeral ceremonies (up to two days straight).

01. Pale Tioionte, Kambire Tiaporte, Da Gboro Ale - Gopir
02. Pale Tioionte - Deje (1st Version)
03. Pale Tioionte - Ler
04. Pale Tioionte - Deje (2nd Version)
05. Hien Bihoulete, Kambire Tiaporte, Da Gboro Ale - Binkontina
06. Hien Bihoulete - L'adresse Au Mort
07. Pale Tioionte - Deje (3rd Version)
08. Pale Tioionte, Kambire Tiaporte, Da Gboro Ale - Bamba

Central Africa - Musical Anthology of the Aka Pygmies [Ocora]

Central Africa - Musical Anthology of the Aka Pygmies

(Centrafrique - Anthologie de la musique des Pygmées Aka)
Ocora C 560171/560172. 2 CDs. Recorded 1978 & 1987, CDs released 2002

Ocora - Anthologie de la Musique du Niger

Anthologie de la musique du Niger
Ocora C 559056, recorded 1963, CD released 1990

01. Alphagai
02. Epopee des Djerma
03. Gardaoua
04. Bodjo
05. Danse pour les jeunes filles
06. Garkoua
07. Dogol
08. Tassikissikit
09. Chaibou
10. Tille
11. Abalangueoua
12. Abaia
13. Musique pour le charaou

Uzbekistan: Turgun Alimatov [Ocora, 1995]

Ocora - Uzbekistan (Ouzbekistan): Turgun Alimatov
Ocora C 560086, recorded and released 1995

Turgun Alimatov is an unparalleled master at the tanbur and dutâr [long-necked lutes]

Afghanistan - Rubâb and Dutâr [Ocora]

Ocora - Afghanistan - Rubâb and Dutâr
Ustad Rahim Khushnawaz, rubâb & Gada Mohammad, dutâr
Ocora C 560080, recorded and released 1995

VA ~ Musique Rituelle Tibetaine LP [Ocora 49] recordings by Georges Luneau at temples in northern Nepal, 1969

this one sells itself i think. worth it for side A alone. read all about these way out buddhist monks in the enclosed booklet & come on bach & share yr thoughts. or not. 320k fuzzy vinyl rip. don't forget to

on yer commute to work today & kindly say a prayer for our generous benefactor & beacon of cultural awareness, the inimitable op

Bruitset Ambiances d'Afrique 1 [ocr23] & 2 [ocr32] 7"ers ~ field recordings by Charles Duvelle & Michel Vuylsteke

a pair of off the wall nature sound 7"s from afrique, buried deep in the early ocora catalogue & never re-issued. totally essential frog, bird & rooster-scapes. surely not to be missed if ya dig that sorta thang. 320 vinyl rips. we never had it so good.
gawd bless our hero, op

VA - Madagascar - Valiha LP [Ocora 018] 1964

VA - Madagascar - Valiha LP [Ocora, 1964]
OCR-18
recorded by Charles Duvelle [i think]

Face A
01 Talakimaso - musique merina
02. Antanambao - musique merina
03 Ambohimandroso - musique merina
04. Analava - muaique saklava
05 Nossi-Be - musique saklava
06. Sakaraha - musique bara
07. fort dauphin - musique antanosy
08. tamatave - musique betimisaraka



FACE B
09. rakotozafy - samy faly
10. rakotozafy - hitako iano anito
11. sylvestre randafison - diavolana
12. sylvestre randafison - marofotsy
13. sylvestre randafison - mokatejy
14. maurice halison - ny fitiavako anao
15. maurice halison - obilmanga voatora-defone
16. maurice halison - kalo takariva
17. maurice halison - ny afindrafindrap tsy avela



various tribes recorded in the valiha region of madagascar in the early 60's & likely my favourite ocora at the moment. this album simply shimmers with 20-stringed tubular bamboo zithers & singsong accompanied by resonator harps some of which have this amazingly uplifting washington philips on safari vibe about em. boasting sweet imagery & 2 additional traques, this eclipses the similar recording posted previously. 320 vinyl rip + skans in french. tanx & praise to op otra vez

Musique Centrafricaine 10" [Collection Radiodiffusion] field recordings from 1962 [Ocora 13, 1963]

Republique Centrafricaine 10"
[Collection Radiodiffusion Outre-Mer, 1963] field recordings from 1962
[CR-13, Ocora 13]

Face I
01. Bagandou musique [sanza w/ 13 metal keys & manza xylophone w/ calabash resonators]
02. Mabinga [pygmy] polyphony played at the conclusion of an elephant hunt
03. Linda musique [for a mbake rejoicing]
04. Broto musique [animal horn & ongo orchestra]
05. N'dokpa [instrumental language of lingassio (the pit-xylophone)]
06. N'dopka courting musique [lingassio & kalangba [xylophone w/ calabash resonators]
07. Dakpa [recording of a tree being felled w/ an axe]

Face II
08. Isongo [female lullaby featuring a rapid yodeling falseto & hand-clapped rhythm]
09. Azande [Gbainlain dance featuring kponimbo xylophone, nzoro bells & gaza drums]
10.Babinga [post-hunt handclapping & bgongo harp zither made of vegetable matter]
11. Dakpa [chant to chase delectable termites out of their hill featuring 1/2 calabash]
12. Bofi [children's nightingale imitation song about being careful]
13. Bofi [children's song about the wind uprooting the manioc (cassava) shrub]
14. Bianda [Emile Gbayola sings accompanying himself on the sanza [thumb piano]

this record touches upon the musique of numerous ethnique groups which comprised select regions of the Central African Republique in 1962. the sheer diversity of the ethnique complex provides an impressive variety of musical expression & form. this 10" was released by collection radiodiffusion outre-mer before they offically became ocora. it was later re-issued as an LP featuring liner notes in english & an extra Bofi children's song. included are the original 10" scans & liner notes in french in addition to the later LP artwork & bonus traque. 320 vinyl rip + several skans & images. daps yet again to op