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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Radio Salone<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">(April 24, 2012; Cumbancha)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><u><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="CMB-CD-23_RadioSalone_FRONTCOVER_WEB-lr.JPG" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:-3pt;margin-top:1.5pt;width:235.35pt;height:235.35pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="314" height="314" src="cid:image002.jpg@01CCDF56.19540520" align="left" hspace="12" alt="CMB-CD-23_RadioSalone_FRONTCOVER_WEB-lr.JPG" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_0"><![endif]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">“Sierra
Leone’s Refugee All Stars share experiences of violence, loss and the tedium of life in the camps. But when they make music together, something unexpected emerges: buoyant grooves and fierce optimism.” –
<b><i>NPR<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">“…their music emanates a life-affirming positivity.” –
<b><i>BBC<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">“…they still have something to teach the world.” –
<b><i>Paste</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">The globally acclaimed<b> Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars</b> return with their third studio album,
<b><i>Radio Salone</i></b>, out <b>April 24, 2012</b>, on CD and limited-edition 2LP vinyl via Cumbancha. Produced by roots reggae, soul and Afrobeat guru
<b>Victor Axelrod, aka Ticklah,</b> (Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Amy Winehouse, Easy Star All Stars, Antibalas) and recorded in Brooklyn’s
<b>Dunham Studios</b>, <b><i>Radio Salone</i></b> marks the band’s most musically sophisticated collection of songs to date. The album is the follow-up to the band’s 2010 album
<b><i>Rise & Shine</i></b>, which was the<b> #1 of the year on the World Music Charts Europe</b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Out of dark times,
<b>Sierra Leone’s</b> <b>Refugee All Stars</b> have always made music rife with hopeful messages and joyful rhythms.
<b><i>Radio Salone</i></b> is no different, but this time it feels like a milestone album for the group. When they stepped into the studio for the
<i>Radio Salone</i> sessions, they began laying down tracks with a definitive vintage African vibe, connecting traditional West African sounds with roots reggae in ways that they had never before explored. Employing analog technology, the band used mid-70s
era microphones and 16-track tapes. With the limited takes that tape imposes on the recording process, there was often just one chance to create perfection. But perfection to this band means embracing unplanned nuances, allowing the visceral qualities of music
to shine, letting the process play out in real time. The mics don’t shut off between the album’s tracks – an invitation to the listener to join the band on their creative journey.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Having persevered through the horrors of the Sierra Leonean civil war, band leader
<b>Reuben Koroma</b> and the group continue to musically evolve in exciting ways, well past their jam sessions in the Guinean refugee camps and the rawness of their first recordings in their native capital of Freetown. The songs are infused with intricate dub
elements not found in their earlier material and interludes are featured as part of the album flow for the first time. From the hollow echoes of the congoma (also known as the marimba – a percussion instrument with wooden keys and resonators) in album opener
<b>“Chant It Down”</b> to the bubbling rhythm of lead single <b>“Mother In Law”</b> to the irresistible hook of
<b>“Big Fat Dog,” </b>there are thrilling discoveries around every corner. While the band initially gained fame through the power of their story and message, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have since become one of Africa’s most active touring bands, and
the years of experience are reflected in the virtuosity of their performance on <i>
Radio Salone.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">The album title references “Salone” – meaning “Sierra Leone” in the native language of Krio – in which the band sings (along with five other languages) on the new album. The radio theme appears
throughout the album artwork and reflects the impact that radio has long had on the band. In the pre-TV and Internet days, radio served as the musical connection to the rest of Africa and the world. Long before the war, members of the band were exposed to
vintage reggae, Congolese <i>soukouss</i>, American soul, and much more. During the war, radio served as an essential escape from the harsh reality of the refugee camps, bringing news and music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">2012 is the 10-year anniversary of the end of the Sierra Leone civil war that ravaged the nation and a look back brings a new appreciation for the story of
<b>Sierra Leone’s</b> <b>Refugee All Stars</b>. After a compelling 2005 documentary about the band’s post-war journey skyrocketed them to a global platform, their story and music was soon inspiring fans worldwide. Since then they have garnered praise from the
likes of the <b><i>New York Times, NPR, BBC, CNN, LA Times, PBS, Billboard </i></b>and more. They appeared on
<b><i>The Oprah Winfrey Show</i></b>, opened for<b><i> </i>Aerosmith</b>, contributed to the<b><i> Blood Diamond
</i></b>film soundtrack, and participated in the U2 tribute album <b><i>In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2</i></b>. They have built a loyal fan base with extensive touring and festival performances both in the States and abroad, winning over audiences
with their engaging and vibrant performances. The likes of <b>Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Joe Perry, Ice Cube</b> and
<b>Angelina Jolie</b> have sung their praises. From the ashes of war, <b>Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars</b> have risen like a phoenix to become one of the most lauded African bands in the world.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">The band will be touring North America from May until August, including an appearance alongside Michael Franti, Hot Buttered Rum, Dumpstaphunk and others at the
<b>The Gaia Festival</b> August 3-5 at Laytonville, CA’s <b>Black Oak Ranch</b>. For tour updates, visit
<a href="http://www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com">www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><u><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Radio Salone</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""> Official Tracklisting:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">1. Chant It Down</span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">2. Gbara Case</span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">3. Mother In Law<span class="apple-tab-span"><b>
</b></span><br>
4. Goombay Interlude - Rain Come Sun Come<br>
5. Reggae Sounds The Message<span class="apple-tab-span"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">6. Mampama<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">7. Kali<br>
8. Goombay Interlude - Papa Franco <br>
9. Man Muyu<span class="apple-tab-span"><b> </b></span><br>
10. Toman Teti M’Ba Akala - (How Would They Know That You Have Money?)<span class="apple-tab-span"><b>
</b></span><br>
11. Big Fat Dog<span class="apple-tab-span"><b> </b></span><br>
12. Goombay Interlude - Shake Your Body <br>
13. Yesu Gorbu (At Jesus’ Feet) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">14. Work It Brighter<span class="apple-tab-span"><b>
</b></span><br>
15. Remake The World Again<span class="apple-tab-span"><b> </b></span><br>
16. Goombay Interlude - A’Salamaleichem<span class="apple-tab-span"><b><span style="color:#275E8C">
</span></b></span><span style="color:#275E8C"><br>
<br>
</span></span><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><a href="http://www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com">www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">For more information on Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, please contact:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Press Here<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">212-246-2640<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Carla Senft<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><a href="mailto:carla@pressherepublicity.com">carla@pressherepublicity.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple">Carla Senft</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple">Press Here
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple">138 West 25th Street, 9th Floor</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple">New York, New York 10001</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple">Phone: 212-246-2640</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple">Fax: 212-582-6513</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif";color:purple"><a href="http://www.presshere.com"><span style="color:blue">www.presshere.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><a href="http://twitter.com/presshere" title="http://twitter.com/presshere"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue">http://twitter.com/presshere</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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