Hey hey y'all! So, great news! Thanks to each and every one of you for your pledges and contributions, kind words, and support in making this happen. I'm thrilled to be returning to Mali in early 2010 to work with some friends and top musicians in Bamako on the Mande album. I know you're gonna dig it.

This project could not have happened without your support- I'm extremely grateful and humbled. In fact, the contributions really came alive after I returned from Uganda and while I was moving around in Europe on the recent tour. I think we had about $750 pledged in mid-August.. So thank you for responding to the call. Some excellent batting in the bottom of the 9th..

In the coming weeks I'll send out the various rewards and thank-yous.

But guess what? There are still just under two days remaining. Kickstarter can continue to accept pledges until this Sunday, Sept. 13th, at 5pm EST. The $7,500 covers a great deal of the expenses, but believe it or not, there are even more expenses.. additional money for promotion, travel/food/accommodation, etc. So, please do continue to make your pledges and earn the cool rewards packages. It'll all go to the same worthwhile cause and your donation is a meaningful statement of support and solidarity.

Here's a link to a video I made today to say 'thanks', cruising down Milledge Ave. in Athens. Don't worry, nobody got hit.. http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Have a great weekend and I'll be in touch.

You all rock!

Thanks again,
adam

Well, folks.. back home at last. Had a blast on the Europe tour. I'll get a blog up on myspace in the next few days with some fun stories. Highlights include squatting in an apartment in Mullingar for a night w/ NoLand Folk band, almost getting robbed in Bristol (the punk teenagers backed off when I.. stood up! The power of a thin man!), excellent shows in some fine venues, and..

seeing Oumou Sangare and band in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, meeting and enjoying dinner with Oumou and the band, and securing their participation in the 'Mande Sessions' project.

Visit my myspace (www.myspace.com/adamkleinmusic) to check out a video I took of myself while bike riding in the Netherlands. We're down to the final few days. Now's the time to pledge if you have yet to do so.. let's reach the goal in the final push!

More to come, asap..
yours,
adam

Hey and thanks for checking back in. I'm in Lahinch, a pretty seaside town in County Clare, western Ireland. Got a show in a little bit. Last night I filmed a song for Balcony TV, on a balcony in Dublin. Fun time. Look for it online in two weeks or so.

THANK YOU to everyone who has been contributing lately. We've made some nice progress in the past week or so, and I'm grateful. I'll send you each a quick email "thank you" as well as the exciting rewards associated with your giving level as the project comes together.

Please continue to help spread the word to friends, associates, music fans, world music fans, West African music fans, and everyone you know. I know we can keep the pledges coming and reach the goal by Sept. 13th. This album's going to be well received and an exciting new development in Malian music. I'm very excited to begin working on it in early 2010 in Bamako.

Again, I can't do it without your support. Thanks to everyone who has generously 'backed' this project, and newcomers... it's not too late! Join all of us now and be a part of the Mande Sessions.

I'll continue updating as I can from the road. This week it's Ireland, then onto England, a final show in Netherlands, and back home around Labor Day.

Ireland greets you with rain, Guinness, and Jameson for the brave.

Talk to y'all soon,
adam

Thanks for visiting.

Cool news: The fine folks at Paste Magazine heard about this kickstarter project and have included it in their "5 Reasons Why Globalization Rocks" blog!

You've got Paste's blessing to back this project and make a pledge. And mine. And plenty of Malians'.

Please show your support now and help make this personal landmark album.

Check out the write-up here: http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/08/the-best-of-globalization-in-music.html

More to come..
adam

Hey hey! I know it's been a while since I sent out a kickstarter update, or any update for that matter. Just finished the seven-week program in Uganda, and it was quite an experience. It's a gorgeous land, and we had a chance to work with a great organization in UORDP (see previous notes) and meet some incredible people from Tororo area, Mbale, and Kampala. The final few days were spent in Kampala meeting various NGOs, doing last minute souvenir shopping, and sitting in Kampala traffic. Time, as they say, was against us.

Met one of the most inspirational people I have yet to meet, whose presence alone was indescribably powerful and exuding warmth. I'll write more on him later elsewhere, but look up the Canon Gideon Byamugisha online. The first clergy-person throughout all of Africa to declare he was HIV+, founder of a network of HIV+ clergy, and founder of the Hope Foundation which is working to support orphans and other vulnerable children in and around Kampala as well as streamline a new approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the political and developing worlds- the SAFE approach rather than the common ABC approach. It's a fundamental shift in how HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment work can be implemented, and it's excellent.

Well.. we've got about one month to make this Kickstarter project work. We've got 90% left. So, many thanks to those who have backed the project thusfar. I'm counting on my friends and supporters to help make this vision a reality in the coming weeks. Every dollar matters. Please pledge what you can, and I assure you you'll be pleased, proud of the work, and happy to be associated with it. Join me in lifting the pledges to meet our goal.

In the meantime, I'm traveling in Europe (Amsterdam, now) and without a computer. I'll dip in to some internet cafes to get reconnected and provide some updates as much as possible. The last few days have included a fine house concert in Bierum (northern Netherlands, near the harbor town of Delfzijl, across from Germany), seeing friends Naomi, Jaron, and family in Amsterdam, and walking around this gorgeous town. Still one of my favorite places.

Best wishes,
adam

Hello y'all. First time checking email since getting to our host site in Ramogi village and the last posting here on Kickstarter. Pleased to see some new pledges- thank you Angela and Michelle for the recent support. Please help spread the word so we can build this thing!

Ramogi is gorgeous. Our site overlooks massive fertile, green, tree-dotted plains which meet the Mount Elgon range.. a series of low, long hills marking the border with Kenya to the east. It's a classic, stunning picture of East Africa.

We've had some interesting sessions. Met with the Uganda Orphans club yesterday, who performed beautiful choral selections. Held one community exchange meeting, trying to learn about both the challenges and strengths of the local community and begin a dialogue. Evenings have been spent sitting out under the stars with our friends Opio and Sam from UORDP, and getting to know a bit more about Uganda. We were also briefed on UORDP and its programs. I'll have more to say on that later. Started reading the book "28", a collection of short stories on HIV/AIDS in Africa from across the continent. Good stuff, so far. New idea to begin working on in the fall: Writing a collection of stories/vignettes based on my various travels, particularly through parts of the developing world, or Global South.

For now, crazy busy in my role this summer. The weather's great and it's been pleasant all around. Did have a chance to do some guitar playing recently.. have some neat ideas I'm working on which will hopefully become new songs.

Thanks for the continued support. I'll check back in next time I get internet access. Let's lift off over $1,000!

Jambo,
adam (or 'Oliech' here.. means an elephant. It's the name of the patriarch of the Jhopadola people in Ramogi village)

Hey y'all, from the early hours of the morning in Entebbe, Uganda. Arrived in country last night. Heading to our host site in Tororo region along the Kenyan border today with our fun group of sixteen students/participants. So far so good.. We'll settle into our accomodations, learn about our partner NGO, Uganda Orphans Rural Development Program (UORDP), and start work on Friday constructing a classroom for an early childhood development center.

It's great to see friends pledging support for the project., Thanks again to each of you- I'm sure you're gonna love the Mande record!

Spread the word and let's keep it growing day by day.. we can get there with everyone's support.

I'll be away from email for the next two weeks orm so, but will post messages here as I can.

Thanks again! We'll see what comes of musical encounters here in Uganda!

Gratefully yours,
adam

Hey there! Great to see friends getting behind the project and showing support! Thanks to Will, Dan, David & rusti for the pledges this afternoon.. looks like I'll be scheming to create the finest mix tape of Malian music out there for y'all. (Although it's hard to beat "Mali Lolo!" by my friend Jon Kertzer of KEXP in Seattle. Check out his weekly African music radio show, The Best Ambiance, Mondays 6-9pm PST. Stream it online at www.kexp.org.

Thanks again folks and let's keep this thing growing, day by day!

Yours in rock (and djeliya- griot praise singing),
adam

Well well! Within hours of the project going live (late night, at that), my friend Kori McGarry became the first project backer. Thanks for the support Kori and great to reconnect. 'I ni ce, i ni baaraji. Ka duwawu mine.' (Bambara greetings and 'blessing' of thanks)

Let's get this thing moving, onward and upward, friends!

Thanks again,
adam