Ashe Records Information

ASHÉ is a word of many meanings: blessings, energy, power, confidence -- Ashé is dynamic, pure energy in motion. Coincidentally, this term is found in the magical traditions of both Tibet and West Africa. People, objects, music and ideas - if they've got "Ashe" they've got energy and power in the purest sense. As the music and gods of Africa traveled to the Americas during the great slave importation, so did the word Ashé. And as the music influenced and entered popular American culture, so too did "Ashé" enter the vocabulary of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Ashé Records was formed in 1996 to present music from these same African roots. Embarking on an incredibly rich musical journey, we released albums ranging from ceremonial Afro-Cuban chants to classic salsa to fusion jazz, recording both fresh new voices and established maestros. Since the founding of Ashé Records the world itself has changed and so this is the moment to expand our vision, spread our wings and enlarge our horizons to include all music that embodies the qualities of Ashé. In the spirit of "Ashé", we want to keep the energy strong and moving, respecting ancient cultures while supporting innovation. Besides our classic catalog of Afro-Caribbean music we are proud to present new releases offering modern fusions: electronica, singer/songwriters, trance, Cuban hip-hop and lounge music. We will also be presenting "endangered music" such as the Mapuche Indians from Patagonia, mbire music from Zimbabwe, gaita and calypso from Venezuela, music from Iraq and Afghanistan. In this moment music represents a force that can bring unity, peace, education and respect to our world. We at Ashé Records invite you to listen and feel the energy of Ashé.