Featured Label(s)

Smithsonian Folkways
Folkways Records was founded by Moses Asch and Marian Distler in 1948 to document music, spoken word, instruction, and sounds from around the world. In the ensuing decades, New York City-based Folkways became one of the largest independent record labels in the world. The Smithsonian Institution acquired Folkways (part of the Moses and Frances Asch Collection) from the Moses Asch estate in 1987. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings was then formed in 1988 as a nonprofit record label to continue the Folkways tradition of releasing significant recordings with scholarly documentation, and keeps all Folkways recordings in print. Smithsonian are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people's engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others. Our mission is the legacy of Moses Asch, who founded Folkways Records in 1948 to document "people's music," spoken word, instruction, and sounds from around the world. The Smithsonian acquired Folkways from the Asch estate in 1987, and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued the Folkways commitment to cultural diversity, education, increased understanding, and lively engagement with the world of sound. Smithsonian Folkways has expanded on Asch's legacy, adding several other record labels to the collections and releasing over 300 new recordings that document and celebrate the sounds of the world around us.
Discography
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Honeyboy Edwards: Mississippi… David "Honeyboy…
Format: CD
23/01/2001
David "Honeyboy" Edwards embodies the continuity from blues' Mississippi Delta roots to electric Chicago blues. Honeyboy's string-snapping guitar riff… -
The World's Musical Tradi… Various Artists
Format: CD
28/11/2000
This album, produced and edited by Tullia Magrini, is the last in the acclaimed series produced by the International Institute for Traditional Music.… -
Song Rhythms and Chants for th… Ella Jenkins
Format: CD
24/10/2000
Ella Jenkins is joined by other vocalists and musicians to sing and play spirituals, chants, blues, folk songs, and instrumentals. Their cadenced rhyt… -
Calypso in New York Lord Invader
Format: CD
26/09/2000
Inspired improvisation and compelling rhythms, created by piano, small orchestra, and sometimes a drum and hand clapping, characterize these performan… -
The Best of Broadside 1962-198… Various Artists
Format: CD
12/09/2000
The Best of Broadside, Anthems of the American Underground from the Pages of Broadside Magazine. Eighty-nine songs, including some never commercially… -
Discover Indonesia Various Artists
Format: CD
25/07/2000
Music of Indonesia Selections from the 20-CD Series. Indonesia is a huge country, spread over hundreds of islands, encompassing peoples of many differ… -
Well May the World Go Larry Long
Format: CD
27/06/2000
Telling the stories of hard-working people in a way that highlights the courage, deep personal experiences, and heroism found in their lives is a trad… -
Safarini in transit: Music of… Various Artists
Format: CD
25/04/2000
Musicians from Ghana, Kenya, Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe lead powerful performances by five ensembles of African musicians who now live in the Uni… -
European Klezmer Music Khevrisa
Format: CD
25/04/2000
This is the first modern studio recording of the klezmer music of Europe, performed with the original European instrumentation?first violin, cimbal (h… -
The Folkways Years, 1959-1973 Memphis Slim
Format: CD
22/02/2000
This collection contains the best of blues pianist Memphis Slim's Folkways years and includes 3 previously unreleased tracks. The CD features solo per… -
Trouble in Mind Big Bill Broonzy
Format: CD
22/02/2000
Acoustic blues guitarist Big Bill Broonzy late in his long career, troubled in mind and outspoken in song. With controversial topical songs, rural blu… -
Seasons for Singing Ella Jenkins
Format: CD
25/01/2000
Ella Jenkins thinks that people should sing in every season, and this recording can help us all do just that. Here is a lively sing-along, recorded at…
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