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Talent flows from China to Cape Verde

By Jane Cornwell, Evening Standard  11.04.08

“I'm a Chinese girl and I love my country’s culture,” said Sa Dingding, accepting her Planet with a bow. “Now I bring my music to the world.” Kitted out in Björk-tastic gold and red, her long hair woven with silver, the diva with a name like a bell on a bicycle added a touch of much-needed glamour to an evening that often felt under-resourced.

This was the seventh annual BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music. Though nominations were announced back in October, the actual ceremony has waited until now — coinciding neatly with this week’s announcement of summer’s Proms programme, in which the Planet winners’ concert takes prominence.

Many winners collected their Planets in person: Spanish flamenco fusionists Son de la Frontera, Bristol-based guitarist Justin Adams and Gambian riti violin player, Juldeh Camara, Cape Verdean singer and Best Newcomer, Mayra Andrade.

There were also speeches and performances on video. At home in Bamako, Bassekou Kouyate held up his Planet for Album of the Year and sang a sweet duet with his wife. Then, suddenly, there he was in person, accepting another gong before stepping offstage to watch himself and his band, the fabulous Ngoni Ba, perform on video. There were live turns, notably from 2005 winner Kaushiki Chakrabaty, an Indian classical singer with flowers in her hair and a voice like nectar.

Finally, Algerian rai rebel Rachid Taha licked his Planet appreciatively — and rocked.

Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

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