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Transpacific Sound Paradise
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Yuriy Gurzhy of RotFront & Russendisko's Day-After-Ukrainian-Independence-Day Audio Postcard from Ukraine via Berlin

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Yuriy Gurzhy, originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, has made a name for himself in Berlin as a musician, DJ, producer, and radio broadcaster.

In the 90s he was one half of the DJ duo Russendisko Sound System, whose legendary club nights at Berlin's Kaffee Burger brought new indie music from Eastern Europe and the Balkans (and by emigre artists from those places) to the dancefloor: Cutting edge music that at the same time called on folk and pop roots - and with a sense of humor too. The name Russendisko alludes to a pejorative nickname for State-approved dance pop music of the Soviet era - in a sense, the club reclaimed the name for the post-Wall generation.

[His Russendisko partner, Wladimir Kaminer, also wrote a book-turned-film about Berlin's 90s East European émigré culture called Russendisko. (The English-language version of the book is entitled Russian Disco.)]

Yuriy also is a co-founder of the "Emigrantski Raggamuffin Kollektiv RotFront" - better known simply as RotFront. RotFront is an uproarious band that truly brings the Russendisko ethos to life. He's also a leader of the Disorientalists, a sort of biographical tribute band to quixotic early 20th century Azerbaijani Jewish-turned-Muslim writer Essad Bey.

He's produced ten compilation albums including several under the Russendisko monniker and the fabulous Shtetl Superstars wide-ranging Jewish-themed compilation, as well as releasing albums with RotFront, the Disorientalists and more. Russendisko is no more (both for musical and socio-political reasons as you'll hear from Yuriy). However Yuriy now has launched what he calls "a DJ and research project on the past, present and future of the Ukrainian music" called Born in UA.

Yuriy also hosted the music program “Russendisko Klub” on Germany's Radio MultiKulti. And to celebate the Day-After-Ukrainian- Independence-Day, Yuriy gets back behind the mic to send us an audio postcard from Berlin. He'll introduce us to the music of RotFront. And he'll also introduce a set of great new indie sounds from Ukraine from his latest compliation project, Borsh Division - Future Sound Of Ukraine on Trikont Records, Germany's first and finest indie music label.

This Week's Playlist:

(* = new)

Los Candelos: Bailen Mi Rumbita / Various Artists: Rumbita Buena / Pharaway Sounds / * (0:00:00 Pop-up)
New compilation

Chango: El Guapo / Various Artists: Rumbita Buena / Pharaway Sounds / * (0:02:49 Pop-up)

Los Chichos: Ni más ni Menos / Ni más ni Menos (0:06:23 Pop-up)

Eddie Palmieri: Pa' Huele / Superimposition / Fania (0:11:59 Pop-up)
GIG: TOMORROW evening (Sun Aug 26) at 6 - double bill w/ Tony Vega @ Central Park Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield

Wendo Kolosoy & Rumbanella Band: Marie Louise / Various Artists: El Congo Brazza: Rumba Congolaise / Marabi (0:17:59 Pop-up)

Joseph Kabasele & African Jazz: Africa Mokili Mobimba / Various Artists: Golden Afrique Volume 2 / Network Medien (0:21:56 Pop-up)

Orchestre Tropicana: Joyeux Tricentenaire / Carnaval Fusee / Marc (0:27:37 Pop-up)

Khaira Arby: Khaira / Timbuktu Tarab / Clermont (0:36:14 Pop-up)
May she rest in peace...

Khaira Arby: Dja Cheickna / Timbuktu Tarab / Clermont Music (0:40:46 Pop-up)

Khaira Arby: Ya Rassoul / Ya Rassoul (0:43:52 Pop-up)

Sway Machinery and Khaira Arby: Sourgou / The House of Friendly Ghosts, Volume 1 / JDub Records (0:48:49 Pop-up)

Khaira Arby: Tchini Tchini/Gossip/Commerages / Gossip / Clermont Music (0:53:07 Pop-up)

Yuriy Gurzhy of RotFront: Audio Postcard From Berlin (1:02:39 Pop-up)

RotFront: Emigrantski Raggamuffin / Emigrantski Raggamuffin / Essay Recordings (1:09:09 Pop-up)

RotFront: Sovietoblaster / Emigrantski Raggamuffin / Essay Recordings (1:12:39 Pop-up)

RotFront: VisaFree / VisaFree / Essay Recordings (1:15:44 Pop-up)

RotFront: Gay Gypsy and Jew / VisaFree / Essay Recordings (1:18:38 Pop-up)

Yuriy Gurzhy of RotFront: Audio Postcard From Berlin (1:24:10 Pop-up)

RotFront: German Dance / 17 Deutsche Tänze / GMO - The Label ‎ (1:28:02 Pop-up)

RotFront: 1990s / 17 Deutsche Tänze / GMO - The Label ‎ (1:31:43 Pop-up)

Yuriy Gurzhy: Audio Postcard From Berlin re: Russendisko & new sounds from Ukraine (1:36:24 Pop-up)
Note: We'll hear some tracks from the Russendisko comps and Shtetl Superstars later but Yuriy will select some tracks from his latest comp of Ukrainian music first.

Dakha Brakha: Karpatskyi Rep / Various Artists: Borsh Division - Future Sound of Ukraine / Trikont (1:44:36 Pop-up)

Hycz Orkestr: TinDenSum / Various Artists: Borsh Division - Future Sound of Ukraine / Trikont (1:50:31 Pop-up)

Ruslana Khazipova & MaMa Diaspora: Metelyk / Various Artists: Borsh Division - Future Sound of Ukraine / Trikont (1:56:14 Pop-up)

Perkalaba: Tikhobivi / Various Artists: Borsh Division - Future Sound of Ukraine / Trikont (2:01:44 Pop-up)

Konsonans Retro: Freylekhs No. 5 / Various Artists: Russendisko presents: Ukraine Do Amerika / Russendisko (2:06:48 Pop-up)

Yukazu: Rote Äpfel / Various Artists: Russendisko präsentiert: Die Lieblingslieder der deutschen Taxifahrer / GMO (2:09:49 Pop-up)
(Russendisko presents: The favorite songs of German taxi drivers)

La Mula Santa: Ich Liebe Dich / Various Artists: Russendisko präsentiert: Die Lieblingslieder der deutschen Taxifahrer / GMO (2:14:06 Pop-up)

Polkageist: Ick Liebe Dir / Various Artists: Russendisko präsentiert: Die Lieblingslieder der deutschen Taxifahrer / GMO (2:17:46 Pop-up)

Vopli Vidopliassova: Galu, Prihod / Various Artists: Russendisko presents: Ukraine Do Amerika / Russendisko (2:21:03 Pop-up)
Yes well and also, Highway to Hell

Boom Pam: Souvlak / Various Artists: Shtetl Superstars - Funky Jewish Sounds From Around The World / Trikont (2:23:09 Pop-up)

The Astroglides: The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob / Various Artists: Shtetl Superstars - Funky Jewish Sounds From Around The World / Trikont (2:27:21 Pop-up)

Red Elvises: Cosmonaut Petrov / Various Artists: Russendisko Hits / Trikont (2:34:16 Pop-up)

Nogu Svelo: The Little Chinese Bells / Various Artists: Russendisko Hits / Trikont (2:36:34 Pop-up)
GIG: Nogu Svelo's 30th anniversary USA Tour @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Sat Sept 15

Zdob Si Zdub: A Gipsy And A U.F.O / Various Artists: Russendisko Hits / Trikont (2:40:49 Pop-up)
Zdob Si Zdub is from Chișinău, Moldova

Markscheider Kunst: Kokeiro / Various Artists: Russen Soul / Trikont (2:43:29 Pop-up)
St. Petersburg-based band that calls on African, Latin sounds etc.

Paperny T.A.M.: Tänze / Various Artists: Russen Soul / Trikont (2:45:50 Pop-up)
Paperny = Russian actor and musician Alexey Paperny

Disorientalists: Who Was Essad Bey / Who Was Essad Bey / Oriente (2:48:18 Pop-up)
From Yuriy Gurzhy's website: The Disorientalists are Yuriy Gurzhy (RotFront), Daniel Kahn (Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird) and Marina Frenk (Marina & Kapelsky). The three Berliners-by-choice joined forces to write and perform a musical based on the life of Essad Bey a.k.a. Kurban Said a.k.a. Lev Nussimbaum. "Who Was Essad Bey?" is a work in progress, performed regularly in the Studio Я of Gorki Theatre Berlin. The album with the same title is released by a Berlin-based record label Oriente

Invisible System: Banjougou / Bamako Sessions / World Music Network / * (2:53:40 Pop-up)

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Email here to JOIN the TSP E-MAIL LIST for giveaways, show news!

If you want to be on an email list for special ticket and music giveaways and to hear news about upcoming specials and special events (including our upcoming Sat May 26th holiday weekend live remote from the amazing Issyra African Art Gallery in Hoboken) - send an email to Rob W here and be sure to write "list" in the subject line.

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Organizations supporting the rights of immigrants and refugees:

(For more suggestions see https://www.bustle.com/p/9-immigration-organizations-to-donate-to-if-you-want-to-support-daca-recipients-80757.)

National Immigration Law Center: Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants.

National Immigration Forum: The National Immigration Forum is one of the leading immigrant advocacy organizations in the country, with a mission to advocate for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation.

New York Immigration Coalition: The New York Immigration Coalition aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all. The NYIC promotes immigrants’ full civic participation, fosters their leadership, and provides a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York’s diverse immigrant communities.

Arab American Family Support Center (New York City): The Arab-American Family Support Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-sectarian organization that provides culturally and linguistically sensitive services to immigrant communities throughout New York City.

Action NYC: ActionNYC connects New Yorkers to free, safe immigration legal help. You can make an appointment to learn your immigration legal options and get immigration application assistance. There are ActionNYC sites in all five boroughs. Appointments are required. Your appointment will be in your language.

Immigration Equality is the leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization in the country. It provide s advice and legal services to thousands of LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants seeking refuge, fair treatment, and freedom in the United States. The work is truly lifesaving because there are nearly 80 countries around the world where it is a crime to be LGBTQ, with consequences up to and including the death penalty. For this reason, Immigration Equality fights to obtain asylum in the United States for LGBTQ and HIV-positive refugees - with a remarkable 99% win rate.

International Refugee Assistance Project: The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) organizes law students and lawyers to develop and enforce a set of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced persons. Mobilizing direct legal aid and systemic policy advocacy, IRAP serves the world’s most persecuted individuals and empowers the next generation of human rights leaders.

International Rescue Committee: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF): AALDEF is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans by combining litigation, advocacy, education, and community organizing. Issues / focus include immigrant rights, civic participation and voting rights, economic justice for workers, language access to services, educational equity, housing and environmental justice, and the elimination of anti-Asian violence, police misconduct, and human trafficking.

Make the Road New York (MRNY): MRNY builds the power of Latino and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services.

Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ): Make the Road New Jersey builds the power of immigrant and working class communities in New Jersey to achieve dignity and justice through community organizing, legal and support services, transformative education and policy innovation.