29. August 2009 by chuck.

  Yesterday I was working with a friend putting music to some footage I had shot in India on a trip a while ago.  We were cutting edit changes to the beat.  It was a tune from my Cd  ”Grooves of India” ….the tune is called “Asham”. It is a piece of music that I wrote in 9 time.  As you know most western music is in some variety of 3/4 or 4/4 time.  India rhythms allow you to be very comfortable in all kinds of rhythms…..5, 7, 11, 17, 19 and even  9  3/5 time  ( I actually composed a tune in that timing).  All of this goes back to my studies with Harihar Rao.  He is a great master of a teach from India.  It was through him that I was able to meet and spend a fair amount of time with the great Ravi Shankar. Anyway….this tune  ”Asham” is in various subdivisions of the beat…mostly 4 + 5.  If you want to hear this tune…go here: http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/groovesofindia/

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27. August 2009 by chuck.

Two weekends ago I went to see a good friend of mine… Ed Perry.  I met Ed years ago when he owned a studio in Hollywood (”Music Box studios”) .  He owned that studio for about 15 years.  He got tired of that and sold it.  He tried a few other professions, like construction, plumbing, electrical work and wasn’t quite satisfied. He spent some time in Tijuana Mexico and decided to dedicate his life to a great cause.  He started and now runs an Orphanage called “Los Angelitos”.  I went down to see him and the 27 kids he is caring for.  I was really touched by his work and fell in love with the great kids he has there.  The kids range from 2 years - 18.  All have come from pretty tough circumstances.  The kids were so upbeat and loving.  It was a joy to spend a couple of days with them. If you want to help a wonderful cause… please check out his web site:  www.losangelitos.org. He depends entirely on donations from people in the US.  I certainly plan to return soon and to help support such a great work.

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25. August 2009 by chuck.

Today I’ll be finishing up on the Cuba episode for the Exotic Worlds TV show.  Cuba is such an interesting place.  I was there in May and really felt the heat….both physically and musically.  They really have some fantastic music there.  I was able to record Son and Rumba music.  Both of these styles have influenced latin, jazz and other styles of music.Rumba goes right back to West Africa with the slaves that were brought there.  Son is the precursor to Salsa.   Be sure and check out this music.  Of course a great documentary to watch is the “Buenavista Social Club”….that was really well done. http://www.sonicsafarimusic.com/music/rumba/

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24. August 2009 by chuck.

I’m really fascinated with some of the musical instruments I’ve seen on my trips.  Years ago I spent 2 years in Peru and was amazed at the wonderful sounds of the charrango.  This is a tiny mandolin type instrument used in the highlands of the Andes.  It has 10 strings…..5 sets of doubled strings.  Sometimes the body of the instrument is the shell of the armadillo.  The better instruments these days are made of wood.  It really adds a shimmering effect and is an essential part of the music.Add the quena….a bamboo or wood flute and the zamponia…several tuned bamboo tubes and you have a great Peruvian sound.There’s lots of charango in this recording I did….  ”Andean Highlands”.  It is really happy mountain music.   Here’s the link to listen to some examples: http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/andeanhighlands/

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23. August 2009 by chuck.

This week I’ve been editing my India trip for the proposed upcoming Exotic Worlds TV show.  It is just super being able to relive that exciting trip.  Of course I’m adding some great music from the catalog.  Music from Tribal India and Grooves of India.After that I’ll jump into editing the video from my Peru trip.  Just got back from a month in Peru.  Another fantastic sonic safari adventure.If you get a chance to go down sometime.  Peru is just the best.  Super people, great food and a stellar culture.  The Inca roots are very important to the people. http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/tribalindia/

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23. August 2009 by chuck.

I really love listening to music from other cultures.  Friday night I want with a friend….the famous explorer…John Goddard  (the first man to go the full length of the Nile in a Kayak) to listen to an musician from Iraq.  He played the Oud…a bowl shaped back and short necked string instrument used in many parts of the middle east.  He really played well.  A drummer also accompanied him.Still working on the Peru footage from my latest sonic safari.  The Peruvian people are so great.  I spent some time in lake Titicaca and filmed some great dancers.  There are many villages around the lake and each has its own traditional culture and dance.  Many of the dances tell about the harvest or the phases of the moon or finding love.  Here’s a fun restaurant I found in the city of Puno…great food and super dance. http://www.lachozadeoscar.com/index2.htm

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19. August 2009 by admin.

Do you enjoy strange and exotic music? Need some music to relax to? Well Sonic Safari Music has a wide range of unique music, including relaxation music to soothe your nerves after a hard day. Listen to Tribal Drums of the Navajo Indians and imagine that you are there participating in the Peyote Ceremony.  Or travel to South America and listen to the the soundscapes of the Amazon Jungle.

Chuck Jonkey travels the world to bring new and exciting music for the Sonic Safari Music label. Every Album is full of new and exciting sounds. His purpose is to arouse your senses with breathtaking music. Chuck is a musician/composer and adventurer who loves recording and filming lost and endangered cultures. He wants to share these experiences with you by creating exciting audio and visual products – CDs and DVDs.  If you’re looking for peaceful music, music for healing, music to stretch your imagination, you have come to the right place.

The new Sonic Safari Music Blog will keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings at Sonic Safari Music along with a behind the scenes look at the music. Chuck Jonkey will also share his experiences while discovering new and exotic music. You will also be allowed to post comments and questions on this blog.

So let’s discover exotic music and new vistas of world music, world beat, meditation music, yoga music, romance music, soothing music and music for relaxation. Let Sonic Safari Music be your source for space music, electronic music, tribal music and new age music. Experience healing music, soundscapes, nature sounds, folk music and even Harley sounds. I have traveled millions of miles to bring you indigenous music, Amazon sounds, African music, Asian music, primitive music, ritual music, drums and even dinosaur sounds! Chuck is dedicated to bringing you the greatest music on earth. You’ll be fascinated by Tahiti music, Inca music, Sci Fi music, Jungle music, Jungle drums, Native American music, Latin music, Thai music, Indian music and much much more.

To start your adventure, simply go to www.sonicsafarimusic.com.

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