Diasporic Dance Music with a Powerful Message: Zili Misik and Kina Zoré Return to Jamaica Plain

Kina Zore

Zili Misik and Kina Zoré
The Milky Way Lounge at The Brewery Complex, 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9 p.m.
21+ | $7 cover

Here’s a special evening of music happening at the Milky Way Lounge tomorrow night. Boston-based Kina Zoré is a 7-member Afro-pop dance collective made up of Berklee and NEC graduates who perform the music of Helder Tsinine, a singer and guitarist from Mozambique. Raised in a musical family in Maputo, Mozambique and brought up during a 15-year civil war in his homeland, his music is celebratory, upbeat, joyous and highly danceable, though lyrically he addresses topics like war, poverty, the challenges of his native country, and the idea of social justice. Kina Zoré have been performing around Boston for about a year and a half, and will be releasing their debut album this summer (you can preorder on Paypal). They’re also very involved with social issues, with the focus on action and compassion. Listen to their music on Kina Zoré’s official site. Beautiful, and bound to be amazing in an intimate live setting. Treat yourself to Mozambican dance party!

Kina Zoré will be joined by the all-female, African band Zili Misik.

Zili Misik

Also from Boston (and also 7-members strong), Zili Misik’s sound incorporates a spicy Haitian flavor (along with reggae, Brazilian, Cuban, jazz, soul, blues and African American spirituals). Festive horns, lovely guitar licks, tasty percussion, and phenomenal vocals. This is the sort of band it’s impossible to just sit still and listen to. They perform traditional folk songs and their own orginals, and are hypnotic, spiritual, and powerful as hell. They sing of African social issues, forced exile and cultural resistance. Zili Misik was voted Best World Act in Boston in 2009. They recently released their third CD, “Crossroads,” on March 3, and their recordings can be purchased on their official site.