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September 2006

Echoes of Africa
Music from Africa by way of the BBC.
GRADE LEVEL: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/features/africa/

	CONTENT: Echoes of Africa was created by the BBC an offers soundclips and information about the musical instruments that are found across the continent of Africa.
	SITE DESIGN: The site is well organized and content is divided into nine areas representing the entire continent and the eight regions. Each link is listed on the main page with a brief glimpse of what you'll find there or you can choose a region from the map. There is a text only version available as well as accessibility help. Real Player or Windows Media Player are needed. Help for finding and downloading the free versions is available on the site.
	REVIEW: Africa's influence on music around the world is well documented in the sounds of pop, jazz, rock, rap and blues. This site gives visitors the opportunity to hear and see many of the instruments that are played across this huge continent. First time visitors may want to check out the Pan Echoes section to learn about the generic instruments that are used in all areas of the continent, and then proceed to explore the different geographic regions and the instruments that are unique to each. Each section examines the various wind, percussion, strings and drum instruments that are native to the area. The Zulu have a saying, "Singing makes all the sad people happy because it is the voice of happiness." So be sure to check out the singing section of the Southern region and listen to Ladysmith Black Mambazo or the Valiha Mada from the Islands of Madagascar and Cape Verde.
	RELATED REVIEWS: Fine Arts: Music Social Science: Area Studies

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09/11/2006