Rolling African Music 2011 Thread

I know Africa's a big continent with lots of genres old and new and this thread won't likely do justice to them all. This thread is intended to be a catch-all one for artists or record labels or genres that do not have (or get) their own threads. I am fond of multiple Malian styles (North Malian desert bands plus Oumou Sangare, Khaira Arby and more), Congolese rumba and soukous, Kenyan benga and more, Senegalese (Youssou and others), old-school South African plus some kwaito and current club sounds from there and elsewhere.

Last year I did a Rolling Global, Whirled thread and that was too broad-ranging. This is still pretty wide, but a little more manageable.

Locally in Washington DC I intend to get out to more local African restaurants and hopefully check out some dj nights and more. As I was busy with parenting last night, I missed fantastic Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke at DC Star.

No idea what's new or who's playing live, but I got a 2CD compilation on Now-Again of albums from 1975-76 by Rikki Ililonga and his band Musi-O-Tunya (it's two Musi-O-Tunya albums and one solo disc, plus a bunch of singles) that's really, really good. The Musi-O-Tunya stuff is hard-rocking, noisy funk with fantastic guitar solos that are more Eddie Hazel than, say, Victor Uwaifo, and the solo album (on which Ililonga plays everything but the drums, I think) is pretty nice, primarily acoustic-guitar-driven singer-songwriter stuff. Lyrics in English a lot of the time, too. Comes in a little hardback book with a long-ass interview with Ililonga. Highly recommended.

So Ricki is billed as the Godfather of Zambian Psych rock. Sounds promising. I wish someone with bucks would put some of these old guys from these various reissues on the road on a package tour. It likely would not sound as good as the reissues, but it could be fun. Most of 'em are probably retired or working dayjobs or no longer with us though (and it's hard enough for big name African acts to tour).

A friend of mine does African mixes, He's based in Berlin but does quite a bit of digging online.

http://www.tropicalbass.com/2010/12/dj-zhao-ngoma-7-hardass-kuduro/

Pretty well done if you're into crossover African dance.

Yes. I think he posted here a few times awhile back (and I corresponded with him briefly)

this record sounds interesting, haven't heard it yet, though

http://www.sahelsounds.com/12_10/ISHILAN1.jpg
After a substantial work, we’ve finally wrapped up the first official release from SahelSounds. In collaboration with Mississippi Records, the record Ishilan N-Tenere features contemporary guitar music from three ethnic regions of the Sahel — Fouta Toro, the Niger Buckle, and Adrar D’Ifoghas:

“This compilation highlights recordings of local guitar bands in three areas of modern day Senegal and Mali. These bands are almost unknown outside of their homes but have a devoted local following. They play all events, celebratory or political. Their songs are folk anthems, hummed under the breath and chanted by children, traded by cassette and transferred by cellphone. The guitar bands are the pride of their towns.”

The release is available on vinyl only, the first pressing limited to 2,000 copies, and features a 12 page full color booklet and extensive liner notes written by yours truly.

I strongly believe digital music should be free. However, the option to support the artists is provided should one be so inclined. Much of the music was once featured here on the site, but I’ve also made it available with a sliding scale price beginning at $2, but with the option to go much higher (for the sake of transparency Bandcamp takes a cut and the remaining profit is split 60% to the artists and 40% for SahelSounds).

http://sahelsounds.com/

It's probably worth hearing, but based on my prior reading about Mississippi records asociated releases I'm a little skeptical about a few things. I mean Wow, a Mississippi Records associated release that admits upfront it is going to provide some money to the artists. I wonder if the release lists the titles of the original cassettes they were taken from (and offers the year of original release)?

[i]So Ricki is billed as the Godfather of Zambian Psych rock. Sounds promising. I wish someone with bucks would put some of these old guys from these various reissues on the road on a package tour. It likely would not sound as good as the reissues, but it could be fun. Most of 'em are probably retired or working dayjobs or no longer with us though (and it's hard enough for big name African acts to tour).

― curmudgeon, Monday, January 3, 2011 1:56 AM (4 days ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink[i]

The liner notes say that a depressingly high number of Zamrock musicians succumbed to the AIDS epidemic.

The Illilonga reissue is pretty cool (the title track is a monster), but I feel like it hasn't really grabbed me yet. It's a lot to absorb at two discs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6MAE3xg-A

I love that vocal style. Reminds me of Ethiopian Amharaic vocals (the video appraoch does also)

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2011/01/in_concert_yoro_ndiaye_at_mill.html

I'm gonna check out the archived video of Senegalese singer Yoro Ndiaye at the K. Ctr. website.

Not alot of votes for African artists in the just posted Pazz and Jop critics poll. There are some (which I may discuss later)

Got to say this album from late last year has been on constant repeat in my office all month:

http://static.boomkat.com/images/395032/333.jpg

This is the only info I've read about it so far courtesy of label Honest Jon's:

"Foster Manganyi is a pastor living outside Johannesburg.
His sublime music shares with our compilation Shangaan Electro a startling
palette of sampled, synthesized sounds — the signature whistle and marimba, no
bass, a little wonky high‐life — and rough, fast, skittering drum patterns.
Yet these are gospel songs, intensely sincere, brimming with aching, plaintive,
mournful fractured, multi‐faceted and fresh the music comes across, the surging lines and
harmonies of the support singers are unmistakably rooted in the traditional
vocal music of South Africa."

Definitely going to pick that one up, seeing as I loved the HJ Shangaan compilation.

It's a lot less 'intense' but I love the way it's very traditional music for the region but played on a lot of store bought synths and cheap electronic instruments. It's really struck a chord with us. It's a CD issue of a self-released cassette which came out in 2008 I think.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/arts/music/30indieafrica.html?_r=1

NY Times article on American indie-rock labels signing African acts. Not too much new info here.

Malian female singer Khaira Arby will be touring the US again in March. What a great voice.

Speaking of African and indie, I just found out that Arby will be doing her own set and one with Brooklyn act the Sway Machinery. As a guest artist she was the bright spot on their most recent cd. The Machinery's singer's grandfather was apparently a cantor, but his grandson's vocals are not as strong.

I went to the Red Apple Market in Takoma Park, Maryland (it has a website and is near Langley Park, Maryland not far from W. DC) and at this large African and Caribbean grocery store I found a postcard for a an already happened January "Senegambian" event, and another one for a late February Jamaican dancehall event. So I am still struggling with finding out where locals go to dance or hear any sort of non-Ethiopian but African dance music.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/arts/music/30indieafrica.html?_r=1

NY Times article on American indie-rock labels signing African acts. Not too much new info here.

― curmudgeon, Sunday, January 30, 2011 2:24 PM Bookmark

A couple of the tracks here are pretty good. Not too keen on the Blk Jks one -- sounds way too washy.

"washy" ???

I heard about South Africa's Blk Jks in the Fader several years ago plus they've toured the US once or twice awhile ago. Kinda prog-rock I think.

Most of the stuff mentioned was kinda old news--the nice Bassekou Kouyate release is over a year old. The article was more of a summary that tied together old news than anything new.

Bombino’s Agadez - Next Generation Desert Rock

Bombino is a North African desert guitarist with a fascinating backstory re his travails. I just wish I liked his new Agadez cd better. It's not bad, just not Tinariwen. Laid-back North African guitar stylings melded with American/Brit blues and psychedelic and classic rock touches

is that the sublime frequencies one or a new one?

No, it's a new one on Cumbancha Discovery (and oops, just noticed it is not available until April in the US).

I never did get that Group Inerane vol. 3 on Sublime frequencies. I think it was an expensive vinyl release, but it has more recently been made available as a cheaper download that I should get (but I wonder if its just more of the same appealling but repetitive drone stuff).

have not had a chance to check this out yet, got itt offa mailing list i'm on but a free mix is out called afrika21 info below

Society HAE just released the Afrika21 Mixtape, the first of a series of mixtapes featuring songs highlighting the work of Africa's young musicians who are re-defining African music and the continent in the 21st Century. You can download the FREE mixtape via the link below. Happy Listening!

Afrika21 Mixtape:
http://www.societyhae.com/page/afrika21-mixtape

AFRIKA21 vol. 1 Playlist

1.Lakeside - BLK JKS (South Africa)
2.Heartbeat - Nneka (Nigeria)
3.If You Ask Me - Omawumi (Nigeria)
4.See Me Now - MPHO (South Africa)
5.Emergency - Iyadede (Rwanda)
6.Maria - Tumi (South Africa)
7.Dream Chasin - Chiddy Bang (Nigeria)
8.Yaa I Get It - Shad (Rwanda)
9.Mshini Wam - Spoek Mathambo (South Africa)
10.Brand New Masquerade - Mister Rae (Nigeria)
11.Fear Fear Factor - Kahli Abdu (Nigeria)
12.A L'Heure D'Ete - Saison Sèche - Baloji (Congo)
13.Bonafide - Tabi Bonney (Togo)
14.Music & Lights - Hip Hop Pantsula (South Africa)
15.Share My Blessings - Naeto C feat. Asa (Nigeria)
16.Warm Heart of Africa - The Very Best ft. Theophilus London (Malawi)
17.Licky - African Rock (US)
18.Pracatatumba - Cabo Snoop (Angola)
19.Lagos Town - Afrikan Boy (Nigeria)

Thanks.

In the latest Afropop Worldwide e-mail they said they're preparing special Egyptian episodes...

first listen to afrika21 mix today and got so so many problems with it; not even sure if thots on it should go here or another brand new thread

Blk Jks are prog-rock and Tabi Bonney is a rapper who lives in DC but was born in Togo (his dad is a musician), the Very Best are UK based with Malawians in the group.

So you don't find it young and hip? Or as good as danceclub music and hiphop and rock from elsewhere?

I still need to listen. Unrelated--Am still loving the King Sunny Ade release from last year.

OK, I have the names and addresses and phone numbers of African danceclubs in the DC area now I just have to go. They don't advertise much--or at least I haven't seen any postcards in the African & Caribbean market I went to or online or in newspapers.

Just got an e-mail that one of the clubs has been remodeled and they're pushing their Thursday night Latin programming. But nothing about African music. Hmmmm.

Khaira Arby is back from Timbuktu and touring more widely this time. She performs this Saturday, March 5 at The Bell House in Brooklyn in a double bill with Sway Machinery. (Click here to win tickets!) Afterwards, right around the corner is Rosario’s salsa club for the Africa Discotheque release party w/Sofrito in Williamsburg until 4 a.m. Ahhhh, New York…If you’d like to tell the Afropop community about something special in your town, let us know!

—Sean and the Afropop.org team:

I don't think too much of the Sway Machinery, but Khaira Arby's voice live is something to behold. She's in DC and elsewhere on this tour with Brooklyn indie-rockers.

Jon Pareles in the NY Times just reviewed Khaira Arby's most recent NYC gig. She's touring with a smaller group, but he still loves her too. He calls her 2010 cd (that me and just a few others here and in the Pazz & Jop poll) one of the best of the last 10 years. And I think she's even better live. No, she's not on Sublime Frequencies, or a long gone Nigerian now being reissued, but she's worth checking out (pardon my cynicism).

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/arts/music/07khaira.html

Should say: that me and just a few others here have praised and a few of us have listed in the Pazz & Jop poll)

if you remember the Staff Benda Bilili album that Crammed put out two years ago (or if you don't, it's really good) I saw the documentary movie about them on Friday and I totally recommend it

there are loads of great bits, I think my favourite is when Roger (the youngest member of the band who plays this self-invented one-string contraption) disappears for ages, and when the bandleader finds him back in his village after an arduous search, he's dressed up like some sub-Master P rapper from about 1998

Will have to look for that movie, as I liked that album

Thanks for the various Arby tidbits curmudgeon--I'm really enjoying Timbuktu Tarab now.

Good, it is on a small label and her international touring has not been that extensive, and there is so much music out there, so it may have gone unnoticed previously by many.

Khaira Arby touring the US now. I think she's with a smaller band than last time, but still worth seeing. She's at rock club DC 9 in Washington DC Monday and is at South by Southwest and elsewhere also.

NPR with a half-hour Khaira Arby show

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/18/134531828/sxsw-2011-khaira-arby-live-in-concert

here's the Bombino 'Agadez' referenced above: http://bombino.bandcamp.com/album/agadez

^ much more polished than the Sublime Frequencies lp.

reading this

Locally in Washington DC I intend to get out to more local African restaurants and hopefully check out some dj nights and more. As I was busy with parenting last night, I missed fantastic Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke at DC Star.

reminded me of this
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alandos-Kitchen-Kenyan-Cuisine/115217485433
which is a Bethlehem PA based restaurant run by a relative of mine.
Being on the other side of the Atlantic I'm not seeing myself getting over to try out the food. So wondering if anybody else knows it?
The menu that used to be up on their website looked very tempting.

I don't know that restaurant or Kenyan food in general I must admit.

Sadly gonna have to miss Malian singer Khaira Arby at DC 9 in Washington DC tonight. She's great live.

Some nice reviews online of Khaira Arby at SxSW. Plus this person:

From there, I hustled over the French Legation, where the Sierra Leone star Janka Nabay was playing to a lawn full of hipsters enjoying the 80 degree weather. Janka, as he’s known, has brought a tribal rhythm from the northern part of Sierra Leone called “bubu music,” and turned it into an electronic, disco sensation in his home country. After the war, he came to the U.S., where he put together a band full of indy rock musicians, and together they’ve created a sound that’s edgy enough for the rock fans but has the complex rhythms of afropop. A feature with an exclusive interview of Janka will appear here this weekend.

http://www.texasobserver.org/artsandminds/item/17586-the-observer-does-sxsw-part-two

I have not googled Janka or "bubu music" yet

"Acoustic Africa" tour of the US featuring Habib Koite, Oliver Mtukudzi,and Afel Bocoum starts in Chico, California tonight

http://www.imnworld.com/tour_dates/for_artist/152/acoustic-africa

Koite and Bocoum are from Mali, while "Tuku" is from Zimbabwe. I wanna see Bocoum who used to play with the late Ali Farka Toure. It's easy to cynical about this tour(acoustic so as to be whirled music friendly; lumping together countries as different and as far apart as Mali and Zimbabwe) but I think it might be enjoyable despite the drawbacks

easy to be cynical

Anyone see the US West coast gigs this week or the European tour last fall? Bocoum is impressive if you ask me.

Zouglou, kwaito, kaduro and coupe decale mix old beats with modern production and pop sheen to generate tidal waves of high energy dance sounds. Party with DJs Kimozaki, Underdog, i:Wah and Cortega as they mix these sounds at Sutra for their Electrafrique night.

From the Washington Post Going Out Gurus blog

I should go to this.

It's Friday night and Sutra is a club on 18th street in Adams Morgan that has changed hands several times.

After my kid's ballgame, gonna head into Washington DC for Acoustic Africa(with Koite, Bocoum, and Mtuzudki)at Lisner tonight/Thursday

What a great show--2 hrs. and 15 minutes straight--various collaborations, entertaining between-song talk, dance moves...Arabic-African feeling Malian sounds, bouncy Afropop from Zimbabwe, the Malian 1 string lute, the Zimbabwean mbira...

Wow, that farxiya kabayare youtube that Dylan posted upthread is really cool. A lot of it sounds like keyboard presets, but layer upon layer of those keyboard presets. It's like there could be "too much" going on, but it's smoothed out because most of the sounds are from the same palette.

You talking upthread about the cost of getting African acts to tour the US reminds me of King Sunny Ade in OC & Stiggs.

Don't know that story. Will have to google it. While the Acoustic Africa tour limited the 3 stars to 2 of their bandmates each, they worked together in various combinations last night in DC. Good live music is a wonderful thing.

I liked that Kabayare youtube upthread also. I don't know anything about the keyboard sound used.

I wrote about metal bands from Botswana today on MSN.

xp OC & Stiggs is Robert Altman's version of an 80s teen movie. The titular characters are two rich kids who idolize and want nothing more than to see in concert King Sunny Ade, who they discover is scheduled to come to town, thus giving them the opportunity. This is what I remember from watching it about seven years ago. They live in a house with a lawn as big as the White House's and somebody gets airlifted by a helicopter. I think there is real/fake concert footage and a fair amount of KSA music in the soundtrack.

xp? That's a reasonable, economical way to tour another continent.

Habib Koite was telling a story last night about their tour bus stopping at a Walmart that was open 24 hours he said, and all the bandmembers wanting an individual chicken, and there not being enough (but he said he moved fast and got one). I'm not picking on Habib's English as I don't speak any other languages, but some of the story might have gotten lost in translation but I like the imagery of it as is.

I need to ask Sublime Frequencies why Group Doueh and Omar Souleymane never come to Washington DC. I see on their site that they're touring Europe and that the former will have a new cd out.

Will have to find a contact address and beg them

new Bombino album streaming on npr
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/11/135176796/first-listen-bombino-agadez#playlist

I was sent a copy of it. Much more laidback than anything he did on SF. I need to listen to it more.

More NPR friendly

Anybody seen or heard Ugandan band Kinobe and African Soul? They apparently tour Europe alot and are coming to the US for a tour(including Washington DC)

Kinobe is a Ugandan who plays the kora (Malian 21 string harp). He learned it from Toumani Diabete. He's bringing his acoustic band that merges East and West African sounds.

Sometimes Kinobe's blend (with his Youssou N'Dour afropop influenced vocals) is too homogenous, other times it works.

I posted this on the Capital Swamp thread:

H, I saw a great Ethiopian woman singer accompanied by a keyboard player at Meaza's on Columbia Pike, just off of Route 7 Leesburg Pike earlier in the evening before seeing the rockabilly band. I need to find out her name. She sings there every Friday and Saturday. She was better than the guy who followed her (dressed like an Ethiopian Tom Jones but not as flamboyant).

― curmudgeon, Monday, April 18, 2011 7:19 PM (1 minute ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

when i heard dave matthews on the new Vieux Farka Toure, I was like

http://www.ripten.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/nooooo.jpg

x-post

And I picked up a postcard for the Ethiopian show billed as "for the first time in America Helen Berhe" and "the talented Abraham Gebremedhin with the Zion band Sat. April 30 at DC Star 2135 Queens Chapel RD NE DC ethiostarent.com

Oh no, Dave Mathews w/ Vieux. Ugh, those jambanders (it's nice they like afropop but still...)

I have not been sent the new Vieux Farka Toure yet, although i have written him up in the past and seen him twice.

I was emailed a download link, but won't actually download the album until the editor I pitched a feature to gets back to me.

I just e-mailed the publicist who handled him last year. I want to hear it whether I write about it or not (because I like what he has done in the past), but the presence of Matthews and a Soulive guy and other jambanders on it does not bode well. It's a marketing strategy to get the tie-dyed crowd to buy the cd. Maybe it will work musically but based on those folks prior releases I'm skeptical.

It's not available to the public till May 24

I really liked this mix from DJ Spoko (a preview of his next album according to some guy on a different message board): http://soundcloud.com/soundcities/gravemix. Starts with a Glasser remix!

Anyone know a good resource for SA house/kwaito noobs? I have Ayobaness! but nothing beyond that.

Hmmmm?

Where have all the ilx South Africans gone... (or the non-ones who know kwaito and other club sounds from there?)

Nonesuch always holds US releases for Youssou N'Dour albums until he is doing a US tour. He is touring here in June so this album (see below) that was released in Senegal some time last year will now finally be available

His new album Dakar-Kingston (to be released in the US on June 7) features both new material and earlier favorites revisited from a reggae perspective.

Got this Sorry Bamba compilation in yesterday's mail; haven't listened to it yet. I'm not familiar with him, but the liner notes make it seem more traditional than Afro-funk.

I don't know him. Like garage rock and soul reissues, the supply of older African pop seems endless. And lots of it is good.

And I picked up a postcard for the Ethiopian show billed as "for the first time in America Helen Berhe" and "the talented Abraham Gebremedhin with the Zion band Sat. April 30 at DC Star 2135 Queens Chapel RD NE DC ethiostarent.com

― curmudgeon, Monday, April 18, 2011

Wish I had time to attend this and cover it. It's gotten no crossover attention in the W. DC area as far as i can tell.

There's no publicist plugging her to Americans or Brits and she doesn't have any cds out on Sublime Frequencies or reissues out...

I'm guessing there are youtube videos

Maybe H. over there in Ethiopia can fill me in on her

gotta recommend the new sway machinery - the house of friendly ghosts v. 1 which is heavy on the malian influences (Vieux Farka Toure and Khaira Arby both on the album) and pretty excellent

I love Khaira Arby's voice on that but on first listen I'm not too crazy about the Sway Machinery guy's voice (his Dad was a cantor but my initial listen didn't suggest that his voice was as strong).

it's definitely not. but there's some decent composition on the album and i like the tone. (also, i love the little nat geo interludes)

I wish H in Ethiopia could school me on Helen Berhe

I know this thread has a certain preaching to the choir feel and this will come as no surprise to most of you, but I'm really enjoying Sidi Toure's Sahel Folk album, which I don't think I ever saw mentioned here. More Malian acoustic hypnotic beauty.

Also, I ordered this comp the other day: http://boomkat.com/cds/343298-various-new-state-township-funk, after hearing this fantastic song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtwDuNGXy90

That Sidi Toure one is another nice Malian guitar effort

http://www.informante.web.na/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7999&Itemid=104

Reading about South African and Namibian house and kwaito djs. DJ Cleo et al.

So I was gonna listen to the Youssou N'Dour Dakar-Kingston cd in the car this morning but it wouldn't play in my car stereo. Grrr, publicists sending cdrs that won't play on some cd players.

Listened to it at home. Pretty underwhelming. Youssou trying too hard. Will give it a few more shots.

Khaira Arby's coming back in July for another tour of small US indie-rock clubs

good news! Any idea where she's playing? Her myspace page doesn't mention any US dates then.

She's gonna be at Washington DC club Red Palace July 9th (according to the club's site and the City Paper) and she's doing 2 festival appearances out west:

http://www.songkick.com/artists/4083341-khaira-arby-and-her-band

She's doing Brooklyn July 6 and Europe at the end of July and into August

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410774563/

All the dates are scattered on various sites but not all of them are listed on one site for some reason.

thanks for the research! so far these are all looking unlikely for me in Chicago, but I listened to her album again and that was nice.

You're in luck, she's gonna be at the Empty Bottle in Chicago July 12.

Back in the '80s Congolese soukous and rumba bands used to tour the US regularly. With the Congo in tragic shape, and some of its musicians just playing France and Belgium, now it appears that Malian and Senegalese musicians are the only ones coming to the US.

Don't want to detract from this thread, but for what it's worth I started this thread: Rolling African Dance / Urban Music Thread for all your Ayobaness / Shangaan / Kwaito / etc needs.

I think folks know that

cheers, curmudgeon, that is good news!

All Khaira Arby all the time:

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/12/136243519/khaira-arby-on-mountain-stage

This is my shit:

Ernesto Djedje - Zadie Bobo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxq5rQCHXDA

I need to learn French.

me too

^
Not a 2011 song but still worthy of mention.

As for 2011, Ebo Taylor's "Life Stories: Highlife & Afrobeat Classics 1973-1980" was released a month ago. Really groovy jams here.

The late Djedje's bouncy Ivory Coast (with a touch of Congolese influences) sound is catchy and I bet that Ghanaian Taylor is impressive. Have just read about the various things he's done over the years but I have not heard him yet.

You may remember Afropop’s Hip Deep to Egypt campaign. The good news is 93 backers achieved the goal of raising $12,000 to support our historic field expedition to Egypt this coming summer to make radio programs, music videos, social media and more!

This should be interesting

I did a short email interview with Vieux Farka Toure, whose new album comes out tomorrow. Link.

Interesting. I still need to hear the new album. He's been great live whenever I have seen him. He moves his fingers so quickly.

x-post Awesome that she's playing the Bottle!

Soulful Sierra Leone vocalist Manzu is coming to Washington DC suburban Maryland place, the Crystal Nightclub, Saturday June 4 with Papa T, 1401 University Blvd., Hyattsville . DJs E, LEBBIE, N MEGA STAR, ON D 1s & 2s. INFO, CALL 571-471-8939 or 571-268-3955. There's been little to no publicity for this gig. Someone had told me that the Crystal features African music djs and I googled it and looked on Facebook and found a mention of this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWiFegwrd14

I like the Colors of Africa song. Funky drumming and guitar. The car on shopping carts reminds me of the car from the movie Divine Carcass.

Have any of you guys heard "Wallahi Le Zein!! Wezin, Jakwar And Guitar Boogie From The Islamic Republic Of Mauritania"? Joe Tangari's review in pitchfork today makes it sound pretty great.

That Mauritania comp does look great. Plus I need to look more into the oevre of Manzu, the Sierra Leone performer mentioned above. Had never heard of him till I came across that mention that he would be appearing in a DC area club.

Why do Submlime Frequencies acts never come to Washington D.C.?

http://www.sublimefrequencies.com/tour/doueh2011.html

http://www.sublimefrequencies.com/tour/omar2011.html

I want to see Group Doueh and Omar Souleymane and if you get a chance to, you should.

Sublime

I gotta get in touch with them to bring those acts to my door!

Gonna have to miss the Manzu from Sierra Leone gig tonight. Bet it won't start till 1 am or so at the Crystal Nightclub in Maryland outside DC. His sound is kinda like Congolous soukous updated to reach West African and Central African club kids

My quick google search does not turn up any reviews of Manzu's gig.

No publicist is pushing him to alt-weeklies or websites, and he's not on an American label that is doing so, so I guess I will have to see if any ex-pat Sierra Leonians tweeted about him or his tour.

Sierra Leonian ex-pats in the Washington area need to start tweeting or doing blogs! I couldn't find anything about the gig.

In other live music news, Afropop.org says:

just around the corner in the city and around the U.S. is hot summer concert season--Baloji, Seun Kuti, Bombino, Choquib Town, Yemen Blues, RAM, Oumou Sangare, Thomas Mapfumo, more.

I was working on a Youssou N'Dour piece over the weekend. His Dakar-Kingston album that came out a year or so ago in Africa and Europe is just out this year in the US (to coincide with a US tour). It's not that great. He sings in English on half of it, and he has less range when he's not singing in Wolof. His voice darts up and down and stretches out syllables in his native tongue but not (yet) in English. The mbalax-reggae hybrid rhythms done with with members of the Wailers at Tuff Gong studio are sadly workmanlike. I love his 2004 album Egypt. This does not rival that.

I guess Youssou is just kind of taken for granted or dismissed as some guy who wanted to crossover, or ignored by many at this point, but even a flawed cd by him (or better yet his great live gigs) are more interesting to me than lots of stuff out there(yes popular r'n'bish British singer Adele I mean you)

Egypt is quite possibly my favorite album of the last 10 years but aside from that my two favorite Youssou moments were his crossover moments - singing on In Your Eyes and 7 Seconds.

I never connected with his own albums with the very notable exception of Egypt which is def not his typical sound. I respect the sheer talent of the voice w/out feeling any emotional link. Go figger. now Bonga on the other hand gets me every time as does Mahmoud. Not sure what is is with Youssou that leaves me cold, the voice or mebbe i just dont like mbalax that much.

Ok, you got me thinking. Yes some of his albums are uneven, and maybe mbalax comes across better live than on cd. I'm gonna see Youssou again Thursday night.

He's in NYC Friday and already played the West Coast, Austin and some dates in the Southeast

His Set album has some great moments on it (most notably 'Sinebar' and 'Miyoko'). The production is probably over polished but it does sound great on headphones.

I'm hoping tonight's Washington DC gig is more mbalax than the reggae hybrid stuff from his most recent cd. I couldn't find much online re prior shows on this tour.

where is he playing? guess i could just check the DC resource thread but still

also do you know anything abt the label akwaaba music?

Been catching up lately.

That Afrika21 Mixtape was pretty awful. If that's the future of African music... I can't tell if this is snark:

"So you don't find it young and hip? Or as good as danceclub music and hiphop and rock from elsewhere?" But "yeah" is my answer. Elsewhere in Africa. Like Sierra Leone. Janka Nabay is my shit, beguiling whether in rough or gentle mode. Check out the gorgeous soukousy solo here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpnQ5E02L8

maybe mbalax comes across better live than on cd

Sadly, I've never heard it live but it's mesmerized on CD for eons.

Youssou is at the 1,600 capacity Lisner Auditorium at George Washington U in DC tonight. Lisner has been hosting in Washington lots of the big name African and Brazilian shows. In prior years he has performed at the 2,400 seat Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Speaking of mbalax, why am I spacing out on the name of that other Senegalese vocalist who also did an Egypt like album, and whom I saw do a mesmerizing set of live mbalax at Lisner years back.

Akwaaba looks like a label that goes to Ghana and meets up with artists there and then releases their music. Looks like its worth looking into. I do not think it is related to the Akwaaba DC bed and breakfast

ha, no connection to the b&b, the label guy is coming into addis this weekend and not really familiar with their releases so was wondering if you or anyone else knew their stuff, their site has been a pain to load here

So the other Senegalese singer I like is Thione Seck. Last night's N'Dour show was a bit uneven. He has Wailers keyboardist Tyrone Downie playing with him and they started off the set doing songs from the Dakar-Kingston album. Periodically through the set N'Dour had a backup vocalist/dancer encourage the crowd or dance. He also had his 3 percussionists and his trap drummer do an instrumental mbalax portion often while the dancer was doing his thing(impressive moves by the way). N'Dour kept wandering on and off the stage. But there were a couple times where he sang with little accompaniement and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. Truly incredible. Somehow I doubt anything on the ilx top albums of 2011 list so far, will be as wow-inducing as those particular stunning live N'Dour songs. And he wasn't that bad on the reggae-hybrid ones, "Set", "7 Seconds"(done as a duet with a female backup singer/rapper) and others. He spoke in English, French and Wolof to the crowd. The Senegalese folks there all responded enthusiastically to anything said in the latter 2 languages.

Lots of African and Caribbean danceclub styles at this event:

THE BIGGEST ZOUK PARTY EVER IS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND,
SUNDAY JULY 3TH AT THE NEW & SEXY MOOD LOUNGE ( 2ND FLOOR )
1318 9th street NW WASH DC.

HOSTED BY LUCY COUTINHO / DJ JOFE / DJ VASCO & DJ CHICK AND FRIENDS.

COME JOIN US TO ENJOY THE BEST OF :KIZOMBA, ZOUK, CABO LOVE, SEMBA, KOMPA, FUNANA, KUDURO , GUMBE, AFRO HOUSE, M'BALAKH,AFRO ZOUK, COUPER DECALER

x-post

Not too much press coverage of Youssou N'Dour's US tour (that I think has now ended. He cancelled the Canada portion and is in Europe now I think). In part, that's just the state of journalism these days. But it's also a pop, indie-rock , rap and r'n'b internet world these days

Was listening last night to FreshlyGround, a biracial South African group that is touring the US. I like when they do old-school mbqanga style dance music but don't like their more folky, indie stuff. It's a very uneven album. They also have a Michael Jackson remix number that's ok. They're gonna be in Washington DC July 2nd at the Black Cat (a mostly indie-rock club) and are doing other US dates as well.

I'm guessing a publicist sent the FreshlyGround cd to Unperson also and he hated it.

So Thomas Mapfumo from Zimbabwe is touring again. I think he lives in Portland, Oregon these days (he fled the authoritarian rule there). I always manage to miss his live shows in my neck of the woods and this year will be no exception. I am off to the beach when he's doing his free July 23rd show at the Kennedy Center.

got a link? I didn't see anything on his myspace. Would definitely like to see Mapfumo, and I'm getting really excited to see Khaira Arby in a couple of weeks.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/Thomas-Mapfumo-the-Blacks-Unlimited-tickets/artist/734271

Ticketmaster shows 2 NYC dates, Songkick shows a NYC date and a Somerville, Mass date, and a Kennedy Center publicist e-mailed me the info on his show there. Sorry, that's all I got.

I'm hoping Khaira Arby is touring with her whole band and not just some bandmembers plus Sway Machinery guys.

I see there are a few Thomas Mapfumo fans here

Should I see Thomas Mapfumo in a few days?

Building riffs out of sand, Tamikrest have not waited long to follow up their debut album Adagh, a Quietus favourite of 2010. Their fully electrified African blues is of the kind we had been primed for by fellow Malian desert rockers Tinariwen, and though several bands have picked up on their leagues, it is Tamikrest who have emerged from the Sahara with the most interesting material, now explored on new album Toumastin." - Richie Troughton

Quietus website description

I need to listen to this one

My e-mail to Sublime Frequencies never got anywhere, so I will have to figure out another way to get Group Doueh to come to the capitol of the US.

I did not go to see South Africans FreshlyGround last night in Washington DC. They don't really wow me but have a few good songs. They're touring the US of A right now

http://www.voanews.com/english/programs/radio/65173007.html

http://blogs.voanews.com/african-music-treasures/

At the end of a long interview, Ntita Albert mentioned that he had a thousand 45s in his house that he didn’t know what to do with. I asked if I could take a look at them the following afternoon. Sixteen hours later we met Ntita Albert in the Bipemba neighborhood of Mbuji Mayi, and followed him to a small hut surrounded by cornfields, deep in the rural fringe of the city. Under the shade of a large mango tree, Ntita Albert laid piles of unplayed 45s on a small wooden table.

From that VOA blog re an April 2011 visit to the Congo and a musician that VOA's Matthew L. met.

While the focus might be on the past in that blog post, he gives a brief tantalizing description of the present:

Often called the beating heart of Central Africa, Kinshasa―despite the city’s many problems―remains obsessed with music. From thousands of churches, from the bars of Matonge and Bandal, to the hundreds of neighborhood groups rehearsing in courtyards across the megalopolis, to the upscale nightclubs of the Gombe neighborhood, thousands of musicians draw from the creative life force that, against all logic and odds, keeps Kinshasa from imploding under the weight of its absurdities.

The Khaira Arby and Group Doueh gig in Boston sounded great from this writeup:

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/2011_0707arby_an_african_queen/srvc=home&position=also

Congolese rapper/vocalist Balogi with Konono No. 1 in a wild video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfunS_xZK0M

Baloji

Whom a writer for afropop worldwide says was great in NY's Central Park on a bill with Group Doueh and Haitian band Ram over the 4th of July weekend

I need to check out some more youtubes of him and maybe his 2010 album.

Not usually a JD covers, but this video and song are awesome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKfwSFI8LhQ

"a fan of"

"darkwave township" rap ...not bad

That "Control" is pretty intense.

More Baloji (rapping over old-school Congo rumba)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeEIGYnpyHs

As the Washington Post review of her live gig in W. DC Saturday night noted, Khaira Arby's guitarists are really impressive

Khaira Arby is playing here tonight, and I was so excited to see her, but somehow she's gone from second on a two act bill to fourth on a four act bill that begins at 9:30. Which means she won't go on until late, which means I can't justify staying up to see her. Sucks.

While it's not like being there and seeing her live, I do suggest you check out the archived Kennedy Center Millennium Stage video footage of her with her big band that included traditional players; and the NPR at South by Southwest footage with her smaller band that highlights her amazing guitarists. NPR also has a "Tiny Desk" show of hers that I have not seen yet.

I hate when clubs think that adding extra bands on a weeknight is a brilliant way to bring in more people. Often it does the opposite.

Her people tell me that she's recording a new album this winter, and will likely tour again either right before or right after hitting the studio.

She has apparently decided at age 50 something that the best way for her to do what she likes, singing, is to tour the US and Europe a lot.

I wonder why some acts seem to get work visa love and others get shut out?

I keep hearing and reading that it is generally easier now under Obama (Cubans coming who were barred under Bush) but apparently there is still tons of paperwork and redtape to deal with in the home countries (and I think with the Dept. of Homeland Security). I have heard Kennedy Center people say that it is still hard to get anyone from Islamic countries, especially if they do not have albums available in the US.

Khaira Arby is playing here tonight, and I was so excited to see her, but somehow she's gone from second on a two act bill to fourth on a four act bill that begins at 9:30. Which means she won't go on until late, which means I can't justify staying up to see her. Sucks.

― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:10 AM (3 hours ago) Bookmark

Ugh, yes, me too. I was also really excited about this show, but do not have midweek stamina for that stuff. I was planning on finally picking up a copy of Timbuktu Tarab there too.

Should I see Thomas Mapfumo in a few days?

Some news re Thomas Mapfumo on this linked thread

And Baaba Maal's touring in October or at least he's gonna be at the Birchmere near Washington DC

BRAND NEW WAY: Funk, Fast Times & Nigerian Boogie Badness is one of the illest reissues I've ever heard. Total new wave/disco ish that James Murphy would crate dig if he went to Africa. I can't even pick a favorite track this thing is so killer http://i.imgur.com/zi7hd.gif

http://www.thisisafrica.me/new-releases/detail/1560/Brand-New-Wayo%3A-Funk,-Fast-Times-%26-Nigerian-Boogie-Badness

The Karindula Sessions: Tradi-Modern Sounds from Southeast Congo (Crammed Discs)

Anyone heard this? Looks promising.

No but it does look promising

I think Vieuw Farka Toure is gonna do more US dates (hopefully his new pal Dave Matthews won't show up). A DC one is coming up soon

I've been talking about a Moroccan singer on the Arabic thread (and the ECM thread--her label)

Some of the Amina Alaoui album is a little too samey--melancholy nearly fado-like vocals and minimalist flamenco guitar strumming, but on other cuts her voice is exquisite and the instrumental work just lively enough.

I mostly like it

Tinariwen touring the US and new album will feature American guests.

On their forthcoming album Tassili - out August 30 - the band is joined by Kyp Malone, guitarist for TV on the Radio, singer Tunde Adebimpe, Wilco lead guitarist Nels Cline and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Tinariwen 2011 Tour Dates
July 7 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
July 8 Cedar Cultuaral Center Minneapolis, MN
July 9 Winnipeg Folk Festival Winnipeg, MB
July 10 Winnipeg Folk Festival Winnipeg, MB
July 12 Belly Up Solano Beach, CA
July 13 Troubadour Los Angeles, CA
July 14 Bimbos 365 Club San Francisco, CA
July 16 Neumo's Seattle, WA
July 17 Vancouver Folk Fest Vancouver
July 20 Highline Ballroom New York, NY
July 21 Grassroots Festival Trumansburg, NY

Seun Kuti's touring also. A busy summer for Afropop acts touring North America

Bombino touring too

The last fucking thing on Earth Tinariwen needs is a helping hand from fucking TV On The Radio. Shit.

well mebbe exactly what tinariwen needs is helping hands from other, shall we say well known or western acts, as their canadian visa is not forthcoming, http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Renowned+desert+rockers+Tinariwen+denied+entry+into+Canada+ahead+Vancouver+Folk+Festival/5108655/story.html

online world music community in uproar but it is a standard problem in touring acts when ppl just say no - mahotella queens turned away at us border with visas and being the mahotella queens! mahmoud ahmed lost an entire tour last summer in europe to visa fuxxorness from us side to allow travel, king sunny ade last year when band musicians died in a car crash but no substitution allowed even tho that fits into the allowed categories for act of god/force majeure

Saw that Eno produced (?) the new Seun Kuti.

The new Tinariwen album is really good. I thought it would have to go some to be better than Tamikrest's but I think it might be.

Group Doueh are so good live. I saw them up at Boston Manor in North London supporting Omar Souleyman at a Sublime Frequencies gig. Your man from GD was rocking hard, playing his guitar with his teeth and behind his head. I bet he couldn't do that with his first guitar which was - by his account at least - made from an olive oil can, a pole and some lenths of fishing line. Self-tutored after hearing Hendrix on a long wave radio. Even if vaguely embellished, they have a great story.

Is the Tinarawen album acoustic? I read that somewhere. That's crazy that Canada denied them entry even though have played Canada before including Vancouver, where they were scheduled to play at that folk Festival.

Maybe they can add some more US East Coast dates. Come back to Washington DC please.

The Seun Kuti album has apparently been out in the UK since April. Here's some Seun quotes on Eno's role:

http://www.factmag.com/2011/03/04/sean-kuti-preps-brian-eno-produced-from-africa-with-fury/

He’s joined by his longtime collaborators Egypt 80, the group originally fronted by his father, afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, and co-produces with Brian Eno and John Reynolds.

“Brian Eno is ‘Brian Eno’ for a reason,” says Seun. “He has a great mind when it comes to music. He adds new dimensions to the sound. He showed me new ways of opening up the sound I’d never have thought of on my own. Not to downplay the work of John Reynolds, who is an incredible producer. I’m really glad I had them work on the album.”

http://exclaim.ca/News/seun_kuti_talks_his_brian_eno_assist_on_rise_shares_new_music_video

Kuti explains that it's not like Eno changed the songs themselves (though he did contribute keyboards and vocals), but would strengthen passages of tracks like "Mr. Big Thief' by having the melody played in unison by Kuti's sax and guest Justin Adams's guitar.

The new Tinariwen is on Anti and that label always seems to encourage non-indie acts to work with indie musicians and producers(Mavis Staples, Solomon Burke, Bettye Lavette) although I just read that Tinariwen had met TVOTR at Coachella.

I think it's a bit patronizing and Staples, Burke and Lavette have released better music elsewhere. I guess Anti will say it makes more money for the artist (via help with marketing). I haven't heard the Tinariwen yet and perhaps they wanted all those people (and perhaps Vieux Farka Toure wanted Dave Matthews). And adding Dirty Dozen is not exactly the same thing, although it might help with New orleans Jazzfest attending NPR and jamband types.

I would have thought Tinawaren already had plenty of exposure in the US. It's not like the addition of ringers will boost them to the arenas or anything. Burke, Lavette and to a lesser extent Staples were each more or less lured out of semi-retirement, or at least niche fame a la Johnny Cash, presented back to general audiences.

This is old and I posted it before, but I don't remember much response and I just came back to it and found that I like it again as much as I did originally. I think the sound of chorus is at least half the appeal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHUYn9L9fMs

Long intro. I think you should feel free to skip.

Thomas Mapfumo, from Zimbabwe (but living in Eugene, Oregon these days) is touring the US now. I've been mentioning this on the Mapfumo thread. I never heard his last album Exile, which goes for a more pan-African approach than his prior releases.

x-post

Finally watched the Daddy Saj, Sierra Leone rap video Rudiph posted. Nice bouncy beats, and decent enough lyrical flow.

Not too many fans of African rap here. There is a separate thread for it that rarely ever gets postings.

I will take it over Balearic (however you spell that) Euro club whatever that does get more interest elsewhere, but to each his/her own I guess. Maybe that's not the right comparison...

http://blog.afropop.org/2011/07/kante-manfila-guinean-guitarist-dies-at.html

RIP== He played with Malian Salif Keita

Announcement

After more than five years of doing Awesome Tapes From Africa and DJing these cassettes all over it feels like a natural progression to find a way to bring these artists further recognition and perhaps a bit of money in the long run. So beginning in October, Awesome Tapes From Africa will be making available for sale some of the wonderful and obscure recordings that have been so fun to share over the years. In collaboration with the artists, who will receive 50% of all proceeds after expenses, you will soon find at your local music shop vinyl LPs, CDs and mp3s of select sublime albums, the kind which have made doing this blog so easy.

The first release is by Mali's Nâ Hawa Doumbia, a recording the singer made in 1982, La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3. It comes out October 18 and will be distributed by SC Distribution. More info soon

Awesome. Those tapes are great

Fuck yes!

They should be tapes imo!!!

cool cover
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ6n7gjizpE/TjF337c8XmI/AAAAAAAAAiY/B_SS50zTop4/s1600/atfa001full.jpg

x-post to my own posts about Thomas Mapfumo-- 2 people I know who saw him on this tour liked the band but said Mapfumo himself was not very active or charismatic. My viewing of a few songs from his set on a video stream confirms that view though I still want to watch the whole set.

Not sure whether that means he's slowing down at 65 or whether he's always been like that.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/arts/music/oumou-sangare-at-celebrate-brooklyn-review.html?ref=music

I wish Oumou Sangare would have come down to DC. I think the last time she was here was at the Smithsonian Folklife Fest in 2005(?) and I was busy parenting that night. In the studio I think she shows more range than Khaira Arby though I like both.

Wed. Sept. 28: STAFF BENDA BILILI -All Standing in the Bandstand!- $29.50 the Birchmere, outside Washington DC

Call 'em a novelty if you want, but I'm looking forward to this

Wish I was in NYC for this (someone posted Spoek Mathambo's unique Joy Division cover above):
Sunday, August 7
7:30 Damrosch Park Bandshell
LIVE FROM THE CONTINENT
BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR
SPOEK MATHAMBO
IYADEDE
Look for the next wave of African music makers where they're sure to be found-in the club. Blitz the Ambassador is a rapper from Ghana whose speedy delivery matches rhymes to a number of Motherland pulses. South Africa's Spoek Mathambo, recently signed to Sub-Pop records, swings it electro, drawing inspiration from Jamaican dancehall, U.K. dubstep and postpunks like Joy Division. Iyadede is the girl who fell to earth in Rwanda with a head full of alternapop hooks. DJ Boima and the Ahficionados will heat it up on the 1s and 2s.

Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/Lincoln-Center-Out-of-Doors-Announces-Second-Week-of-Concerts-20110802#ixzz1U7ijpYqP

I was listening to that Ghanaian rap comp that Unperson loved (in a Village Voice review I think) recently. Great stuff. I do not think Blitz is on it.

Is this the one? http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-05-13/music/featuring-ghana-s-finest-mcs-from-kwaku-t-to-batman-samini/

Yes, luv that hiplife rap (hiphop flow over nicely mixed high-life rhythms)

I saw the Debo Band (Boston-based with Ethiopians) last night. Great at what they do--distinctive Ethiopian vocals, big horn section, 2 violins and an accordion-- although I must confess to not being wowed--it's me(Sorry H)

The guest dancers and drummer and singer from Ethiopia, Fendika, were pretty impressivie actually. The dancers especially.

Anybody else seeing any live sounds? Hear any nice collections of old or new stuff? Go to West African dance nights in clubs?

I was at an Afrocubism event recently - Cuban and Malian musicians playing together. It all worked, though I would have thought Cuban and Congolese musicians would have been the more obvious pairing (given the musical commerce between those two countries).

Good point. That AfroCubanism thing dates back to the planned '90s recording session Brit producer Nick Gold planned between old Cuban and Malian musicians that got cancelled, and then Gold worked with Ry Cooder, Juan De Marcos Gonzalez, and the old Cuban musicians for what became the Buena Vista Social Club.

Although as you imply Congolese music seemed to be more influenced by and related to Cuban than Malian music, Gold didn't go that route. Among some folks there seems to be a prejudice that Congolese rumba and soukous is somehow too simple. I wonder if Gold has that prejudice?

Excuse my grammar and phrasing, I mean that Congolese is closer to Cuban music than Malian music is to Cuban music. That might not have been clear in my messy sentences.

x-post re Debo band, I need to listen to more Ethiopian male vocalists I think. The guy was good but something about his voice did not impress me the way I had hoped to be. I'm also used to listening to vocalists from elsewhere more (plus Ethiopian women singers).

Almost certainly the wrong place to post this but I'm in the process of starting this night called Departure Lounge which celebrates the least authentic aspects of 'world music'. This mix that I did for Black Impulse contains some newish African tracks and who knows, people might like the other music as well.

I reviewed the soundtrack to Black Goddess (newly reissued on Soundway). I thought it was kinda disappointing; two good tracks out of six.

I like the vibe of it and it's more of a six out of ten curio for me but I know what you mean. Excited to see the film though.

Can we talk about African pop/rap like Castro's "African Girlz" here?

Sure.I'm all for posting about any sort of 2011 released African sounds or live or dj'd sounds here, although sometimes I and others have contributed to or started more specialized threads elsewhere on ilx.

x-post to Doran:

Almost certainly the wrong place to post this but I'm in the process of starting this night called Departure Lounge which celebrates the least authentic aspects of 'world music'

You do realize that folks in the Congo were listening to country music and Cuban music and all kinds of things for decades.

I apply an is it good or bad approach to "less authentic" sounds. I may grumble that the Pitchfork/indie whatever world is more focussed on indie-derived takes on African sounds than actual African sounds, but that does not mean I or others here are not interested in both.

On your link you write:

We’re celebrating the idea that was made incarnate at our recent Field Day Festival curation – that Omar Souleyman and Konono No.1 can not only sit happily alongside artists like Faust or Gruff Rhys, but even provoke a more vigorous crowd reaction. This mix is a introduction to those ideas."

Of course, and not to get all cranky old man on you, but in 1982 I was writing about Fela and other African sounds and punk rock in my Thrillseeker fanzine (and spinning records by both on my university radio station), and Robert Christgau and others have been writing about all such genres for decades (and there certainly have been a handful of djs embracing multiple genres).

I'm also interested in multiple genre events like this:

Sat. September 3-

Zouk and more Summer Fest (djs’ spin African and Caribbean sounds popular in African countries where they speak French)The Music-Soukous - N'Dompolo - Makossa; Coupe - Decale – Mbalax-Cadence - Cabo Zouk – Kompa-Kizomba - Afropop

plus live performances tba; all from 12 noon to 7 pm at the Bladensburg Waterfront, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD .luvzouk.com

http://www.negrophonic.com/2011/zoo-city-on-sloth-autotune-african-noir/

I still need to get around to checking out Lauren Beukes’ 2010 noirish novel, Zoo City, and its related kwaito and more soundtrack. Dj Rupture wrote about it earlier this month on his blog

Curmudgeon: I'm not saying we're the first to do this or even that it's a novel idea. I'm just launching a new night in London to play a lot of cool music to people who perhaps wouldn't listen to it otherwise. And it's about the context of it anyway - that of club music being re-repurposed as club music. If people who launched discos had to be the first to do it in any given genre, there wouldn't be very many of them. I'd be more interested in knowing whether you thought all of my choices were extremely gauche and overplayed or not.

Also, you've purposefully misunderstood and misrepresented what I've said. As clearly stated the music is chosen from across several decades. So yeah, I know a little about the history of the popular music in the Congo - but I'm not really sure what your point is.

Obviously heads like yourself aren't the target audience, more people who listen to Vampire Weekend and Extra Golden or whatever and not any actual Afrobeat or rock or disco influence hi life or to British and American psych but maybe not Hungarian or Turkish psych, or European kuduru but not Angolan kuduru. Believe it or not we have a lot of the guys who compile albums for Soundway, Finders Keepers, Analog Africa, Sublime Frequencies etc think it's a great idea and are throwing their weight behind us. Given the financial knife edge a lot of these labels exist on, they're kind of keen to find a new, younger audience. Which I guess is why we've been asked to DJ this big screening of Black Goddess - they were keen on the idea of getting people up dancing at a venue that stays open all night - surely the main aim of an all-nighter? My primary motivation with this is the same as when I ran a night that used to play electro, synth pop, acid house, post punk etc a decade ago - purely to play music out in clubs and pubs etc that I enjoy listening to. Selfish, I know.

And I'm really trying not to sound too pissy here but yes, I am aware, that I'm not the first person to have heard of Fela Kuti - I've been collecting his albums for years but even with only owning 32 pieces of vinyl by him, garnered over a decade or so, I'm practically a diletante. Of course, not being in short trousers in 1982 and not being from a decrepit UK ex mining town called St Helens, I think you had a bit of a head start on me in getting into a rich variety of sounds from round the globe. A few years later, starting in the mid 80s - John Peel, John Walters and Andy Kershaw on the BBC gave me a decent if slightly sporadic schooling.

I have no idea what the 'scene' for "world music" is like in the US but in the UK it's only really just getting over the worthy lentil burger, WOMAD, quasi-racist, not-all-that-post colonial image it's had for three or four decades. Whether I listen to Toumani Djibate at home or not (I do) is irrelevant - it's not good music to dance to. When I'm out there's a certain 'type' of music I enjoy hearing - something with hefty, repetitive bass and a strong beat, not devotional kora music.

I had been wondering if this was the kind of slightly more civilized thread where I could ask for advice... guess that's that answered.

That thing that you quote is by a colleague of mine, Luke Turner... someone I can't speak for.

I'm doing another, lengthier, one of these mixes soon. I'll post a link here to what I have to say on the subject when I do.

Toumani Diabate.

I think I may have misunderstood some of your original post. Sorry.

No worries. I'd like to pick your brains about some of these more Westernised forms of African pop over the last 30 or 40 years at some point.

Castro's "African Girls," referenced by admrl, is a good (but maybe not great imho) piece of Ghanaian hiplife

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjOb6OA3SVo

We need to get Jordan S. to review it as a "track" on Pitchfork (if it's current, but maybe its not).

Vieux Farka Toure is gonna be back in DC Tuesday night. I've seen him twice (and loved both gigs) and written him up before, but have not heard his latest cd made with crossover US rockers. I think Whiney moaned about it upthread. Anyone seen Farka Toure lately?

I guess not. His guitar playing should be great no matter who he has been hanging out with in the studio.

There's a new Tinariwen cd out.

I saw a kinda mediocre review of the Tinariwen cd that has me less interested in it.

The review was mediocre or the review said the album was mediocre? Do tell...

the review said the album was kinda mediocre (although on a second look maybe I'm reading more negativity into it than is there)

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/08/30/tinariwens-tassili-reviewed/

It's got a lot of old songs on it that they've only just got round to recording so I think it's a lot less showy than previous albums. There are a good three or four, very basic, very stripped down songs on it. Despite what people have been worrying about, I think the songs with Nels Cline, 2/5 of TVOTR and the NO brass band work really well.

It's ironic how much Tunde sounds like Peter Gabriel on this record.

Interesting Farka Toure live review

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/in-concert-vieux-farka-toure-at-930-club/2011/08/31/gIQAP6MFsJ_blog.html

Pitchfork gave Tinariwen's latest a 7.8 (not sure if any Malian, Algerian or Libyan papers or sites have reviewed it)

Seriously, there must be some newspapers and bloggers and tweeters in North Africa who might have heard the album, in addition to the folks in the western world. If only I spoke French I might also be able to track down some chatter re African artists in that tongue.

the story of how Tinariwen recorded the album is entertaining:

Here's the NY Times on it, and I think Doran mentioned it above:

Named for a spectacular area of canyons and sandstone arches near Algeria’s border with Libya, the CD was rehearsed and recorded out of doors there, in tents and around campfires much like those where the group’s founding members, political exiles then living in refugee settlements, first came together to play.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/arts/music/tinariwens-tassili-desert-blues-recorded-on-site.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha28

As I grumbled on the Capitol Swamp thread, I will have to miss these 2 Saturday events:

Zouk and more Summer Fest (djs' spin African and Caribbean sounds popular in African countries where they speak French)The Music-Soukous - N'Dompolo - Makossa
Coupe - Decale – Mbalax-Cadence - Cabo Zouk – Kompa-Kizomba - Afropop
plus local band Sahel ; all from 12 noon to 7 pm at the Bladensburg Waterfront, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD .luvzouk.com

African and more dj event at night at Love Nightclub with locally based djs DJ Chick("United States of Africa) and
DJ Banti ( KENYA'S #1 )
DJ Mensah ( GHANA )
DJ Yveco.DRC ( CONGO )
Vasco ( SENEGAL / CAPE VERDE )
T. Boogie ( NIGERIA )
DJ Sam I Am ( SIERRA LEONE )
Claude – Tag Sounds ( CAMEROON )
DJ Spakks ( SOUTH AFRICA )
Jofe ( ANGOLA )
DJ Eric ( CAMEROON )
DJ Preview ( NIGERIA )
DJ D ( UGANDA )
DJ Lenny, Jaymoh, Lex, Lou, Yard( Kenya) allafricanparty.com

My beloved was telling me that some of Tinariwen have been trained up in one of Gadaffi's Tuareg militias, but have not actually fought for him.

The NY Times article says:

Tinariwen was founded around 1979 by the singer and guitarist Ibrahim ag Alhabib, who was born in Mali but fled that country as a child after his father was abducted and killed by government forces trying to put down a Tuareg rebellion. Now 51, Mr. Alhabib spent time in Algeria, Niger and Libya, where he joined a Tuareg army backed by Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi; there his ability to write songs about the plight of the Tuareg, shuttling from one country to another but belonging to none, made him a leading voice of resistance and autonomy.

...

By 1985 “Tinariwen’s songs were already circulating across the Sahara on the cassette grapevine, copied over and over again,” said Andy Morgan, the group’s former manager, who is writing a book about the band. For the next four years, he added, “Ibrahim and several others who had already received infantry training were in a camp near Tripoli, where their job was to play music” sympathetic to the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, which aimed to establish an independent Tuareg republic in the Sahara.

love the nels cline drone on the first track of the tinariwen disc.

read him say he wanted it to sound like a UFO landing in the desert. and so it does.

http://burningambulance.com/2011/08/17/remi-kabaka/

another Soundway label reissue that sounds interesting

Herr X'gau likes the Tinariwen and has me curious to hear it:
http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/expert-witness-blogpost.aspx?post=616acc8b-36ef-4807-aba1-32d9e6f9da8e
i don't think he's EVER steered me wrong on a African release

I like this concluding line from his review (and am curious about that offshoot group he also reviewed):

Sadder than blues‑-too sad to be merely calming.

I have been reading about Quadaffi loyalists fleeing to Tuareg areas of Niger (Q had helped support Tuareg rebels). Hopefully Tuareg bands are busy playing music and not getting involved in the politics and war. Kinda messy and complicated as it applies to them.

email from the Birchmere club:

Wed. Sept. 28: STAFF BENDA BILILI has been CANCELLED due to travel/visa issues

Why are these visa issues still happening! More reason to be disappointed in Obama, or are just individual embassies taking too long to process or bands and record labels not submitting enough documentation and doing so early enough?

my friend who runs Grand Performances in LA (their first tour date) did say that the delays were were not caused by the US gov't, didn't ask for details but assuming that means the visa issues were with wherever they had to transit thru to get to the US. she's pretty bummed as been working on this show since october 2009, when we saw them at womex and was blown away by their live show

even if this particular case was not due to teh US, that is not to say that getting all the necessary permits from teh states for int'l artists is not a headache - it is time consuming and expensive! thank god for tamizdat, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/arts/music/17visa.html they are an essential resource, cpl of things i've worked on would not have been possible without 'em

Interesting. Well, the documentary movie about Staff Benda Bilili is still scheduled to show in Washington DC shortly. I will have to make do with that.

The band was scheduled to make its U.S. debut next week at the World Music Festival: Chicago, but the tour has been canceled due to visa problems. Instead, blues guitarist Boubacar Traore, from Mali, will perform a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion.

"blues guitarist" ???

this album by Princess Fatou Gayflor is so so great
http://freedomblues.blogspot.com/2011/09/princess-fatou-gayflor-golden-voice-of.html
liberia, 1984

The link to this thread on the TuneYards thread has not brought any new posts here. Oh well.

ilx insider baseball trivia from that other thread.

tUnE-yArDs

This crap has as many posts as the Rolling African Music thread. Fuck this industry.

― kid ᒓᴥᒔ (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, September 20, 2011 7:58 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

whiney g weingarten posts on Rolling African Music 2011 Thread : 4
whiney g weingarten posts on tUnE-yArDs : 4

― thomp, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 8:03 PM

So Youssou N'Dour who was just in DC in July is coming back and performing a short show for free Wednesday Sept. 21 at the Kennedy Center for the Peace Corps' 50th anniversary. Live is where N'Dour really shines.

I wonder how those afropop.com podcasts are?

I have tracked down the names of some dc African music club djs in my region, now I just have to go hear them spin(or program or however they do it)? Surely they have to be as least as interesting as some of the techno and house djs that get most of the press in the Washington DC area.

x-post-- that TuneYards musician incorporates some African influences into her indie-rock sound.

I can think of little music as universally easy to love as the broad strata of stuff that informs TuneYards, or Paul Simon, or Vampire Weekend or whatever, but the number of times I've encountered any indie fans, let alone anyone under 30, listening to music from African hovers somewhere around 0. Granted, one can get overwhelmed by the amount of purchases/downloads needed to play catch-up, but the number of crossover proselytizers like Christgau are few and far between. I'm sure I've noted it in earlier threads, but the last time Youssou N'Dour played Chicago he could not even sell out a small club, which is something, given his stature. Admittedly, the hipsters all seem to be down with Afrobeat these days, but that's about as far as I see it go.

Not saying anyone needs to listen to African music, btw. Just that I can see lots of people digging it.

I agree. But as I have whined here--there are only a handful of critics in the Pazz & Jop poll listing African music, and there is not now an effort by any labels or publicists to get African sounds into the hands of rock or rap or pop reviewers. There are hipster reissue labels I guess, but that's about it. Back in the '80s (and briefly into the '90s) there was a concerted push by record companies with lots of Congolese soukous bands and there were multi-group tours (trying to push African music as the new reggae) and later the Amnesty International tour with Youssou touring alongside Springsteen and Sting, plus the uh, Putumayo stuff(I think this latter item in connection with the world music branding has backfired for younger listeners and has hurt the cause in my case with a few editors who wrongly label all African sounds as baby boomer old guy easy listening pablum). The political and economic issues with Congolese bands, be they based in Congo or Europe, has caused that country's bands to disappear from the traveling circuit. Plus in Africa just like in the West there are less young people playing rhythm-oriented music with instruments (but African djs and club music producers are still in a small niche and do not tour as much or get as much publicity).

Washington DC has a huge community of African immigrants from various countries so that ensures a dedicated audience here.

Some African groups have had some success in the US on the jamband circuit. It has always bugged me that jamband fans seem to be more open to African guitar bands than indie rock fans are. I'm not a jamband fan.

The Youssou N'Dour show will also be streamed at 6pm Eastern time US tonight Wednesday (and archived) on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage website. As this is a special short show honoring the Peace Corps it may not have all the excitement that his live gigs can frequently offer. Sometimes also, N'Dour is kind of like a veteran NBA basketball star who can turn on his incredible skills here and there, but not quite as consistently as he did when he was young.

Ok I could nitpick, but there were some impressive Youssou highlights last night.

Went to the gym and came home and skipped the 3rd Thursday of the month Zouk dj night thing In W. DC last night(their publicity says they sometimes play African styles as well). Oh well, maybe next month.

The Awesome Tapes from Africa blog guy is coming to DC to play music late Wednesday night October 12th with the DC Beautiful Swimmers folks(indie-rock turned dance I think) at the U St. Music Hall. I wonder if he plays cassettes or has turned them into cdrs ala his blog? His blog has so many cool things to listen to.

^ Awesome Tapes plays tapes. i've seen him on several occasions now. don't know how he does it really with all the rwd and ffw??? seems a bloody nightmare to me.

in newer news Naija doin it real big these days.

also new breeds of Angolan house which is like screwed kuduro with afro-electro flavors and of course wicked portugese rap, my god that shit is so fucking good.

the gripes about not enough people listening to African music --

the "west" is still operating with a worldview firmly established on structurally racist foundations, built during the colonial era.

people take the biggest, richest, most diverse, and CENTRAL musical lineage of our SPECIES, and the proliferation of its innumerable modern manifestations, and relegate it to a tiny marginalized corner.

pure and simple unadulterated ignorance.

I mentioned this on the specific thread but if anyone knows where I can get music by William Onyeabor (other than the two tracks that have surfaced on recent compilations and the Atomic Bomb album), I'd appreciated it. For such an awesome dude, it's nigh on impossible to hear his stuff apart from on You Tube.

http://combandrazor.blogspot.com/2008/03/sellin-out-returns.html

This blogger was either buying or selling Onyeabor vinyl on e-bay

Cheers for the tip. Let's Fall In Love is such a wicked tune.

That guy has put out the Brand New Wayo comp of 70s Nigerian dance. Check out his youtube ad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTfZeLk5M1g&feature=youtu.be

I'm not doing street work or spamming, it's funny how he did the ad 70s style

I don't think people aren't listening to African music because of some latent racism. I think it's that radio/TV/label/promoters/clubs, etc. don't see any money in it. And maybe there isn't any money in it, as far as I know. Even back home, playing for thousands, I have no idea what someone like Youssou N'Dour makes. Let alone how much he loses touring America.

Anyone here from or lived in France? When some of these guys play there, are there any white people at the show, or is it primarily African immigrants and expats?

Seems like there are Brits and Americans here but noone from France. There used to be South African posters but they seemed to have disappeared.

off topic but i've been listening to disc 2 of this all morning. sweet.

http://www.cdmail.fr/jaquettes/cd/recto/0785965106423xr.gif

My inroad into african sounds was via the likes of John Peel and Andy Kershwaw who, in the early to mid-90's were slipping all sorts of African goodness into their BBC Radio One shows (yes Radio 1 !!). So I was hearing music by the likes of Tabu Ley Rochereau and Papa Wemba rub shoulders with The Fall or the latest jungle 12 coming out of Essex or wherever.

A golden age of radio - for me anyway. As John Walters used to say repeatedly to Peel and Kershaw: "We're not hear to give people what they want! We're here to give people what they didn't know they wanted!". A maxim that public radio execs could well heed today.

Funnily enough, I was listening to Kershaw's Desert Island Discs show only yesterday and he touched on how his Radio 1 slot became a 'world music' show almost by accident.

Is there anything comparable on mainstream radio these days?

(his DID poddie is about 4 years old I should note)

josh in chicago, i did not say latent racism, i said a structurally racist world view. they are 2 different things.

the structurally racist world view holds that "the west" not only developed more or less independently of Africa and Asia, but it represents progress and civilization, while Africa and Asia is largely repressive, backwards, and barbarous.

and in terms of culture, the structurally racist world view holds that American culture and European culture is more advanced, more important, and fundamentally BETTER than the cultures of other places.

that is the fundamental, underlying reason there is no demand for African music, and disc jockeys or concert programmers don't venture outside of lame indie rock or whatever the fuck they're pushing.

also why is it that people in this thread don't seem to be excited by NEW music from Africa? and only seem interested in golden oldies (which of course we all love)

seems to me one of the most important things is to change the perception of African (and other non-western) music as something for old hippies.

but African music is just like Chinese Food, it doesn't exist.

meaning that there are thousands of different kinds of it which can be very very different from eachother.

so only pushing Afrobeat or Soukous or older stuff seems to me is putting a box around African cultures.

what about all the new electronic bass music from the motherland which can rock ANY night club in ANY part of the world BETTER than the boring electro they constantly play?

I listen to quite a lot of new kuduru. But this kind of fucking patronizing, up its own arse post is exactly why I don't contribute here more often.

Here's something to ponder: do you think your laughable 'militant' attitude helps promote modern African dance music or hinder it.

I'd stay and chat more but I'm in the middle of reviewing a compilation of dance music from the DCR for VICE.

Or DRC, if you prefer.

if you think pointing out the still dominant attitudes toward world cultures left over from colonialism, the rotting elephant carcass in the room no one wants to address, is "patronizing", that's your problem. not mine.

i don't think my "attitude" helps promote anything, other than maybe instilling a healthy reality check. i think my work as a dj, writer, and designer helps promote African dance music.

this DRC comp you're reviewing, is it the new Coupe Decale type things starting to happen a lot in the Congo? with faint Soukous references? curious...

I dunno, if anything I think a lot of music from Africa transcends that structural racism. That is, it doesn't get played on the radio or whatever not because programmers think it's inferior or primitive or something, but because it's considered not-commercial. Which, by their standards maybe it is, though they're not doing anything to change that.

If anything, I think the slight inroads a lot of music from Africa has made has been due to its similarity to so-called "western" music, sort of a parallel system of subtle but still there mutual influence, at least since the '60s.

http://www.tropicalbass.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/hardass_cover1-300x300.gif

here is a kuduro mix i did, featuring a bunch of detroit ghetto and chicago juke samples, if anyone is interested

http://www.mixcloud.com/djzhao/ngoma-07-hardass/

Josh, but why do you think effortlessly seductive and beautiful pop tunes from Africa or supreme party rocking tracks not considered "commercial"?

if you consider pure artistic merit, pure talent and ability of the singers and musicians, if you consider the formal sophistication and intelligence in the music, and the INSTANT UNIVERSAL APPEAL which needs no "acquired taste", of much African music -- the only reason these artists are "not considered commercial" are the structurally lopsided "western-centric" world views i outlined above.

but the problem is of course not that simple. pure economic and political realities largely hinder the spread of African music. today access to new music from Africa is still severely limited, despite the little bit of hype things like SA house has been getting in the west.

Well, I asked earlier if anyone knew how well some of the major African acts do in Africa. I'd be curious. Because I have a hunch even the major stars don't exactly rake in the dough there, either, and that's certainly not due to institutional racism. There's so much money behind the "Western" music model that I suspect it's simply indomitable.

i think it varies from case to case. some are of course HUGE in their home and/or surrounding countries, and some were unknown common street musicians until they were discovered by some traveling white dudes.

on a semi or non related side note, did y'all know that Factory records, (of course home of Joy Division and New Order), released an Algerian Rai record in 1986? surely one of the first instances of western Indie labels to do such a thing? (it's a wicked one too)

i don't think my "attitude" helps promote anything, other than maybe instilling a healthy reality check. i think my work as a dj, writer, and designer helps promote African dance music.

So if I list my credentials as a DJ, writer and promoter of African music, do you think you'd consider taking it down a notch or two and crawling back out of my colon?

You realise that by putting the emphasis on Afro electro and house, you're looking at concepts of what constitutes 'new' African music from a completely Western perspective? I put on Konono No. 1 in London a few weeks ago and the tore the fucking roof off. I doubt they'd make your grade however considering you're looking at things from a completely European/American POV. It's this kind of attitude that annoys me almost as much as the black musical culture is synonymous with hip hop to the exclusion of all other forms of music that I've encountered elsewhere on this board.

hey Conan, why do you feel that it is specifically YOUR colon i'm up in? i do have a chip on my shoulder, but it is a gigantic socio-political one, and not directed at any individuals (unless the individual is, say, a member of the US government who ordered the murder of Patrice Lumumba back in 1961).

people are discussing why this amazing shit isn't more wide spread, and i voiced my honest opinion of the foundational causes. it's OK to speak my mind here i hope?

but i will consider "taking it down a notch" in the future... can't promise though.

i played after Konono in Leipzig in Feb. of this year, they were nice guys.

i only mentioned new African club music in a conversation, does not mean i think it is the ONLY new African music. not by a long shot.

XP: Yeah, of course it's fine. I just think that the one place where you might be preaching to the choir is on ILX on a thread dedicated to African Music which features a contributor like Curmudgeon who - while living up to his name - has obviously spent the best part of the last 30-years promoting music from this continent.

Although, in general, elsewhere, if you were speaking to, say, the readership of Rolling Stone Magazine or Q, I would be 100% behind you. But here I find the rhetoric a touch annoying. But I'll try and bear in mind that you're just venting spleen in future and not necessarily shouting at the four or five regulars on this thread.

The Editor of The Stool Pigeon, our print form, big sister paper, is doing me a mix tape of raw Angolan Kuduro he picked up on a road trip there last year. I'll post a link when it goes live.

gotcha, and fair enough. i'm still very new here, and judging from the titles of the other threads on this forum the readership here is... nevermind.

sounds good, keen to check out that mix.

and here is an article by my mate on the new Angolan House scene:
http://www.thefader.com/2011/09/14/lungu-lungu-kanye-meets-angola-on-the-dancefloor/

if you are in London our paths will likely cross at some point. my soundsystem has a tentative gig at the ICA in December, and i will be in London again in January.

What's it called. I'd like to check it out. I'll drag a posse down as well. Feel free to add me to your email out list John at the quietus dot com. Cheers.

cool will let you know. though ICA is being a bit flaky... is it thequietus one word?

and on the subject of Konono, i've recently uploaded the amazing and super rare original 2+ hours double tape release:

http://ngomasound.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/konono-a-great-live-recording/

Does anyone know what happened to writer Martin Sinnock from the UK, who used to write a column for now defunct California magazine The Beat, on Congolese rumba and soukous (new and old). Some of his writing dealing with older stuff is still online. Is he still writing?

http://www.africasounds.com/beat2.htm

Yeah, one word cheers. JD

I am going to try to mostly emphasize musical stuff here I like and am interested in and list outlets where people review music, dj music, play music and not get to bogged down in the negative. Easy for me to say now...

I am comfortable with this thread including all kinds of African sounds (from whatever country, no matter how different they all are)new and old, programmed and played. I think someone also started a separate thread for dj'd club sounds, but it rarely gets posts.

what's the difference between Congolese Rumba and Soukous? i thought these terms were interchangeable?

and Lingala too

and what is the new COngo compilation you are reviewing, Conan?

Martin Sinnock says that soukous was the streamlined version of rumba that Dibo Dibala and Loketo pioneered in the '80s that dropped the introductory less speedy intro that rumba uses. He also says that to Congolese people "soukous" was just a fashion and music trendy name, while to Brits and Americans and others it was the genre they were hearing. I have heard music that Sinnock (who has gone to France and to the Congo and studied this stuff in depth)referred to as rumba that sounds like soukous to me.

Lingala is the language spoken by many people in the Congo. I think it is the more working class language and regularly adds French and English words and slang to its Lingala vocabulary

Diblo

ah ok. thanks. i've also heard the music refered to as Lingali or Lingala. probably more of a local thing.

here is a soukous heavy mix i did during the summer. very good reception. it's amazing how the biggest African musical export of last century is still completely unheard of to most people - "WHAT IS THIS MUSIC???" lol

http://soundcloud.com/rebootfm/dj-zhao-radio-ngoma-8

But now Albarn is bringing Congolese music to the indie crowd:

http://www.spin.com/articles/stream-damon-albarns-congo-benefit-album

In July, Damon Albarn went to the Democratic Republic of Congo with Gorillaz cohort Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, XL label chief Richard Russell, and others to record an album with more than 50 local musicians. Hear the entire set below, via The Hype Machine.

Completed in only five days of work in capital Kinshasa, the album by Albarn's DRC Music project will raise money for international aid organization Oxfam. Kinshasa One Two arrives digitally on October 4 and physically on November 8.

The streaming tracks include the previously unveiled African pop futurism of "Hallo," featuring Congolese performers Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge. That song is a decent indication of what appears on the album, which generally hovers somewhere between the sci-fi synths of Gorillaz and the on-location feel of Albarn's Mali Music project.

"It all came from a long-term commitment that i made to Oxfam," Albarn told BBC Radio 4 in a recent interview. "In a way, really, they started the whole kind of ball rolling for me by inviting me to go to Mali. And I didn't want to go as a sort of ambassador … I wanted to feel something and get involved with people who I thought might be like-minded." DRC Music's official site has more information

In the past I used to read a chatboard dealing with African music where nearly all of the commenters were from the Congo but now living in Europe or the US. I think the board shut down but I really should try to find if there's a successor where these folks are still chatting(invariably about the good ol 70s and 80s Congolese sounds but sometimes about newer stuff). I bet they might know something about the band that Albarn worked with.

There was a specific African Dance thread (Rolling African Dance / Urban Music Thread), but it would be great to see a full spectrum of stuff posted here from any country/region and in any style. That thread didn't take off because we were all excited about SA house, but none of us had any real knowledge about the scene there or anywhere else in Africa (speaking for myself at least). I will try to listen to zoom's mixes, but individual tracks would also be appreciated as would articles--I'm looking forward to reading that Fader piece.

Zoom, did you respond to the comment on your blog re the Konono tape, or do you disagree with the commenter?

hope that you’re reading your emails (or messages on the blog), and that you’ll be able to take down the link before it’s unstoppable.
Giving away a hour long, board-quality live recording without the band’s approval is really not at all cool.
Playing concerts and seling their music is actually their profession, you see, and they’ll be extremely unhappy with this.

Actually it looks like he took down that live recording (there's a still a link to an old cassette, but I don't think that was the problem).

That Damon Albarn related Congolese comp is fucking great. And it's wide of the mark to ascribe an indie audience to it. I've got no complaints with him as a curatorial guy. His label Honest Jon's put out Shangaan Electro and Foster Manganyi last year. Kudos is due to him.

I have no problems with him either. It just seems to me that Congolese musicians can only get media attention from certain media sources if they are associated with someone like him. I recognize that your site and some others do more than that, and I recognize that Congolese music (without Albarn) is not often marketed to others. It's like David Byrne with Brazilian music years ago(or British invasion rockers and blues musicians in the '60s), and again, if that is what it takes to give attention to these musicians (and maybe some money in their pockets) so be it.

The Delany Duvall stuff linked to from that Fader column is really nice: http://soundcloud.com/djdelany. Would love to hear more like this.

To be honest, I have my own qualms about his involvement with some aspects of Malian music but this seems cool to me. And, more to the point, he's not singing on it.

Now here's a guy putting together a cool sounding compilation called Music from Saharan Cellphones. DJ Rupture interviewed him on his radio show and he links in the article to the guy's kickstarter fundraising site.

http://www.negrophonic.com/2011/music-from-saharan-cellphones-interview-with-chris-kirkley/

Just to clarify, the music was not collected from “discarded” or “abandoned” cellular phones as has been reported. It’s sort of funny, the notion that one could find memory cards or cellphones lying around in the trash. No, although an interesting story, the music was simply copied. In the effort of cultural exchange, I traded for a few Townes Van Zandt albums; we’ll see if they’ve survived next time I’m back in Kidal.

http://sahelsounds.com/?p=263

Apparently there was a cassette circulating in 2010 and articles in late 2010 that I missed(losing my edge...)

yeah those saharan cellphone comps are delicious. can't wait for the 3rd one! i'm really addicted to that sound. made an edit of one of the tunes recently too :)

and yes i did respond to Crammed about that soundboard konono recording, via email. and yes i did take it down. but don't underestimate that "old tape" -- because it is 2+ hours of pure unadulterated BADASS.

Crammed ought to release it.

http://sublimefrequenciescommunique.blogspot.com/2011/09/group-inerane-european-tour-2011.html

Always touring Europe and never coming to Washington D.C. Grrrr

http://blog.afropop.org/2011/10/afropop-october-mixtape-out-now.html

free

FELA! the show is in Atlanta this week. I saw it in DC and have kind of mixed views on it.

I heard the Awesome Tapes from Africa guy play cassettes last night at U. St. Music Hall in W. DC. Great stuff. Plus it was free (and sadly undercrowded---they should have notified the DC based African Embassies and put postcards out at the Red Apple Market and other places where African immigrants are)

Has anyone heard Senegalese singer Baaba Maal on his current sing with percussionist and chat with journalist Chris Salewicz about his life tour? It's coming to my 'hood next week

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2016428560_baaba07.html?prmid=head_more

So Baaba Maal's Senegalese percussionist Mamadou
Sarr couldn't get his visa approved to come into the US, so Maal is touring with just a Brit multi-instrumentalist who played on his last album, and is also inviting local percussionists in every town to join them onstage....

Ha, the Brit guy Jim Palmer(not the American baseball hall of famer)is the son of singer Robert Palmer. Maal and he were joined at the Birchmere last night by a Los Angeles based African percussionist from the group Playing for Change. Maal still has a very strong, wonderful voice.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/10/19/baaba-maal-discusses-his-tales-from-the-sahel-tour/

You shut-ins with your Soundways reissues should also get out and see some music live! I kid. Sorta.

Jah Youssouf & Bintou Coulibaly's Sabadou record is really lovely. A husband-wife collaboration; Youssouf is Malian and Coulibaly is from Cote d'Ivoire. I like how minimal it is - these bare calabash lines that remind me of a bunch of post-punk stuff in a funny way. (Heard it via the PR, but pleasantly surprised that it got a mention at Altered Zones - listen to "Faco".)

I need to check that out Sean.

So I found a DC based dj on Facebook who's doing a pan-African dj dance night thing--and on Friday the 28th he is also gonna have a live band there led by a Nigerian guitarist who now lives in Maryland. Could be good, I'm thinking.

Plus I need to catch up with some 2011 African recorded efforts this weekend.

x-post. Here's the Nigerian guitarist who now lives near the US capitol

http://www.jacobnguni.com/

Kiran Ahluwalia (with Tinariwen)--Aam Zameen

A Canadian raised Indian ghazal singer covers Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and sings in French and English, joined by Tinariwen. I need to hear this too.

She sings in Urdu and Punjabi as well I think

Plus I need to catch up with some 2011 African recorded efforts this weekend.

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, October 26, 2011 2

I am, really.

“Desdemona” a collaboration between director Peter Sellars, writer Toni Morrison and singer Rokia Traoré from Mali is at Lincoln Center. Rokia is getting rave reviews!

Any of you New Yorkers seen this?

That's from the afropopworldwide email

I do know the one time I saw Rokia Traore live she was awesome. Had one of those crack Parisian band of fusion players backing her.

Noticed that Tinariwen, in line with their new label, are playing more rock-centric venues this tour. I wonder if they'll come close to filling the Metro in Chicago next month.

Tinariwen are playing in Washington DC with Architecture in Helsinki at the 930 Club. Although DC has a large African and specifically Malian population as well, I doubt the 930 will notify the embassies and distribute flyers at the African grocery stores.

Traore was great live when I saw her as well.

x-post-
Nigerian guitarist Jacob Nguni may have a website, and there's online info listing that he lives in Maryland and an online flyer that he's with a band at the Mirage Hall tonight(I'm guessing really really late) but I still can't get the promoter to contact me back with details re the gig or Nguni's contact info. Ugh.

Noticed that Tinariwen, in line with their new label, are playing more rock-centric venues this tour. I wonder if they'll come close to filling the Metro in Chicago next month.

Won't the cost of the ticket play a role?

Been listening to this year's Tinariwen but still need to catch up on some of the other 2011 African releases that have gotten my attention.

more discussion of them here:

Tinariwen-Bo Diddley meets John Lee Hooker in North Africa?

Won't the cost of the ticket play a role?

― curmudgeon, Friday, October 28, 2011

I am convinced that if bands like Tinariwen could afford to play for newish indie-rock band ticket prices, more folks would take a chance and see them (and they'd develop a following and then be able to charge more subsequently. Although some folks might decide they're like a novelty and not want to go see them again. Oh, nomadic desert band. Been there, done that.)

Tu January 10th- Buraka Som Sistema at the 930 Club in W. DC

This could be fun--Afro-Portuguese kuduro (programmed beats dance music)

Buraka Som Sistema are pretty amazing live - though new record isn't as good as the first.

Nâ Hawa Doumbiaʼs La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3 on Awesome Tapes From Africa (the blog is now putting out albums) is nice trad Malian music from the early 1980s

Jah Youssouf & Bintou Coulibaly's album is good, just as Sean said upthread. It's minimal but energetic--I love the call and response vocals, and the percussive gourd beats.

I mentioned this on the specific thread but if anyone knows where I can get music by William Onyeabor (other than the two tracks that have surfaced on recent compilations and the Atomic Bomb album), I'd appreciated it. For such an awesome dude, it's nigh on impossible to hear his stuff apart from on You Tube.

― Conan The Asshander (Doran), Sunday, October 2, 2011 10:51 AM (1 month ago)

I wonder if Doran ever found more William Onyeabor music?

http://sublimefrequenciescommunique.blogspot.com/2011/10/group-inerane-guitars-from-agadez-vol-4.html

Up to volume 4 now. Wow

That Tamikrest album Doran mentioned upthread offers more 2011 Saharan desert guitar goodness.

this Group Doueh sounds good too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b9nqDJGqPc&feature=related

Anyone else listening to these?

there was a bootleg of Onyeabor's Anything You Sow that seeped out earlier in the summer but it seems to have gone back into the ether. haven't seen anything else.

Doran come back, folks are talking about your guy Onyeabor.

I've seen Tinariwen before but still wish I wasn't busy with family stuff and was able to see them again Tuesday night in DC at the 930 Club (with a bunch of indie pop rock acts including Architecture in Helsinki).

Yeah, the Nâ Hawa Doumbia is really really nice in places. Unfortunately the newer Group Doueh isn't really pushing my buttons.

Totally missed the second Group Inerane record - first one is incredible. And an upcoming third?!!!

Are Sublime Frequencies releases on Spotify? I liked that one Group Doueh cut on Youtube. I think I read something about how they were trying to be different on their 3rd release from their prior ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTw96yhmRJs&feature=related

South African dance

Just saw on Facebook that Congolese singer and arranger Fally Ipupa (who used to sing with Kofi Olimide) is going to be at the Crossroads club, outside Washington Dc on Thanksgiving weekend -Sunday November 27th. Shows there always start way too late, and are never promoted well, and its a pain to find parking there. Bet it will be good show though if he has a band and dancers.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fally_Ipupa

http://fallyipupaworld.com/site/site.html

He's kind of r'n'b and just got an award in NYC in September, and he's very popular in Europe with Congolese folks there

http://blog.afropop.org/2011/10/spotlight-fally-ipupa-african-guitar.html

Congolese Superstar, BET best International act Africa nominee Fally Ipupa is to grace the stages of Dallas and Houston in concert respectively on November 25th and 26th.
After getting most of his artistic training as a member of Koffi Olomide's band Quartier Latin, Fally Ipupa quickly meets success as a solo artist for his modernize Congolese music, a charismatic look and Afro-urban dance moves. He puts an interesting twist to Ndombolo and Congolese rumba by adding elements pop and RnB Music. The huge success of his latest album called Arsenal de Belle Melodies granted Fally Ipupa more international recognition including 2 MTV Africa Music awards for Best Video and best francophone act in 2010

Congolese hybrid r'n'b is not that big yet here on ilx I see

But among Congolese immigrants it is apparently a big deal--here's the updated data for the Fally Ipupa show near Washington DC:

BIGGEST THANKSGIVING WEEKEND EVENT IN THE DMV.
******************************************
HOSTED BY DJ CHICK AND FRIENDS.
****************************

AT THE PLUSH RENDEZ-VOUS BANQUET HALL.

10207 SOUTHARD DRIVE, BELTSVILLE, MD 20705.

FOR TICKETS LOG ON: DJ CHICK AND FRIENDS
MORE INFO CALL: 202-905-9570 / 240-498-7956
***************************************************************************


TICKET LOCATIONS:
*****************
AFRICAN NATION: 301-593-4879. (SLIVER SPRING)

SAVANNAH MARKET: 301-921-1866. (GAITHESBURG MD)
*********************************************

DOORS OPEN @ 8 PM.

$30 FOR ADVANCE TICKETS.

$50 FOR TOP LEVEL VIP TICKETS.

DRESS CODE : SEMI FORMAL & CHIC.

************************************
EVENT WILL BE BEST ENJOYED WITH VIP ACCESS.
FOR GUARANTEED RESERVATIONS CALL: 202-905-9570.

TABLE MINIMUMS: $400 $600 & $800 ( 4, 6 AND 8 GUEST RESPECTIVELY )
*****************************************************************
$400 includes 1 Moet and 1*premium (see below)
$600 includes 2 Moet and 1 *premium(see below)
$800 includes 2 Moet and 2 *premium(see below)

*PREMIUM bottles are Ciroc, Grey Goose, Hennessy, Remy, Johnnie Walker Black or Chivas Regal (750ml)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/soriekondi/get-sorie-kondi-to-south-by-southwest

Interesting. $15 gets you the album download. Not bad.

Return of the World Music Thread: 2012