2005 African Releases

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I don't think there's a thread for this already - I was inspired to start it after reading the Emmanuel Jal thread.

I've probably listened to more African music this year than anything else, although not a lot of it was released this year. What's the best of the year, including comps & reissues?

I'm pretty excited about the following:

T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rhthmo de Cotonou "Kings of Benin Urban"
Orchestra Makassy, "Legends of East Africa: The Original Recordings"
Konono No 1 "Congotronics Vol 1"
Various "Love's a Real Thing: World Psychedelic Classics Vol 3"
Rough Guide to the Music of Sahara
Gaby Lita Bembo & Orchestre Stukas Du Zaire "Kita Mata ABC"

― TRG (TRG), Saturday, 8 October 2005 16:51 (twenty years ago)

Konono are going to be touring America.

― steve-k, Saturday, 8 October 2005 17:10 (twenty years ago)

Looking forward to seeing them

― TRG (TRG), Saturday, 8 October 2005 18:09 (twenty years ago)

I've got to check out those releases. I just have Konono which I generally like although it gets a tad repetitive. I think M. Matos and others have posted about Love's a Real Thing: World Psychedelic Classics Vol 3".

― Steve-k (Steve K), Sunday, 9 October 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo is by far one of my favorite releases of the year.

― PeopleFunnyBoy (PeopleFunnyBoy), Sunday, 9 October 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

The 30 second samples of T.P. at Amazon sound great. I think you folks may have convinced me to buy it. So it's a collection of stuff they recorded between 72 and 80. All I previously knew from Benin I think was Angelique Kidjo and she lives in NYC I think. This is funkier and better(not sure what she was recording then, if anything).

― Steve K (Steve K), Monday, 10 October 2005 00:50 (twenty years ago)

The Toumani Diabate/Ali Farka Toure In the Heart of the Moon album is incredible. There is nothing like it. A very suave sounding record, full of playful controled improv and this real masterful old-soul thing going on. Two guys from very different Malian musical backgrounds coming together under a common approach. One of my fave albums of the year.

Also, Amadou & Mariam Dimanche à Bamako.

I have to heartily agree with you on both Polyrhthmo and Congotronics... Amazing!

― mcd (mcd), Monday, 10 October 2005 01:14 (twenty years ago)

The Toumani Diabate/Ali Farka Toure In the Heart of the Moon album is incredible

just got this and haven't had a chance to listen yet -- but will def. so so now!

― PeopleFunnyBoy (PeopleFunnyBoy), Monday, 10 October 2005 01:19 (twenty years ago)

Also, the Bembaya Jazz National comp is grebt.

― mcd (mcd), Monday, 10 October 2005 01:20 (twenty years ago)

two of my faves from TP:

http://s61.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1KK72INZVU7V1280FSUR2FM49O

http://s61.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=229II7R0ZOZBV1DFTN8MPRWQEE

― PeopleFunnyBoy (PeopleFunnyBoy), Monday, 10 October 2005 01:31 (twenty years ago)

Yes, the Bembeya Jazz is just essential - great notes too. I've listened to that so damn much - the only reason I didn't mention it is because it came out in 2004. I haven't heard the Diabante/Toure, so thanks for the tip, it's at the top of my list now.

― TRG (TRG), Monday, 10 October 2005 11:38 (twenty years ago)

I'll second that Orchestra Makassy re-issue, which includes the first piece of African music I ever owned, "Mambo Bado". The other re-issue I've been enjoying this year is Ochestra Baobab's Bamba.

My favourite 2005 African release is Thione Seck's Orientation in which the veteran Senegalese griot adds Egyptian and Indian influences to his mbalax sound; the album was recorded variously in Dakar, Cairo, Bombay and Paris. It's very much in the same vein as Youssou N'Dour's Egypt - but where N'Dour's album bombed in Senegal, Seck's has been wildly popular. It's not an instant album at all - I've found that it needs close listening, at volume, on good speakers - but for me, it surpasses even Egypt's heights.

Article here:
http://www.cdroots.com/st-orient.html

MP3 samples here:
http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info.php?id=STCD1100

Obviously, Amadou & Mariam's much hyped Dimanche à Bamako is a stunner. Sure it's crossover, what with the Manu Chao production and all, but it's thrilling, visceral stuff. (Although their fantastic live show is on another level altogether.)

Emmanuel Jal & Abdel Gadir Salim's Ceasefire strikes me as a "fusion of disparate influences" project that has somewhat misfired. It's pleasant enough, but doesn't reach the heights of Abdel Gadir Salim's earlier work. On the other hand, maybe I've become biased against African hip-hop after watching Daara J's tedious call-and-response live set.

Tinariwen's hypnotic Amassakoul came out in 2004, but got a lot of recognition this year: rebel desert blues. In a similar vein, Boubacar Traore's Kongo Magni is a magnificent album (sparse and bluesy), as is Mandekalou's rich, accomplished Art & Soul Of The Mande Griots.

http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info.php?id=79663-2

Can't get enough of those Mali desert blues this year...

...which makes the Ali Farka Toure/Toumani Diabate album all the more underwhelming. Sorry, but all I hear is tasteful bland noodling, of the type you hear in new age gift shops. It all feels too underworked to me: AFT picks a random riff, repeats it for 6 minutes while TD twiddles over the top of it. Stop, pick a different riff, and start again. Nothing against spontaneous one-session improv, if it has a certain sense of time/place - TD's New Ancient Strings being an outstanding example - but this would have benefitted from more forethought. Play it next to Boubacar Traore, and see what you think then...

― mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Monday, 10 October 2005 12:21 (twenty years ago)

Bamba yes! My favorite Baobab release ...

I was excited to see Seck does the first track from Bamba on Orientation, it's an absolutely beautiful song. Orientation looks excellent, I'll be picking that up too.

― TRG (TRG), Monday, 10 October 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

Good spot! Thione Seck's new version is indeed a thing of great beauty... he sang with Baobab back in the day, of course.

― mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Monday, 10 October 2005 13:03 (twenty years ago)

Don't forget my favorite so far, Waldemar Bastos' Renascence. It's African, it's Portuguese, it's Brazilian, it's r&b, it's AWESOME.

― The Obligatory Sourpuss (Begs2Differ), Monday, 10 October 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

picks a random riff, repeats it for 6 minutes while TD twiddles over the top of it

This may be accurate, very much in the bop mode-- state the theme and go-- but I could listen to these two guys play all day long. So good. The kora is such a pleasing reflexive instrument, too. I should add that the TD/Roswell Rudd album of a few years back was one of my faves, too, and not too terribly different.

― mcd (mcd), Monday, 10 October 2005 15:33 (twenty years ago)

It's African, it's Portuguese, it's Brazilian, it's r&b, it's AWESOME.

That sounds good!

― 400% Nice (nordicskilla), Monday, 10 October 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

Alright, so I listened to the Waldemar Bastos cd again, and while I like the numbers where his vocals are backed by acoustic Congolese rumba, I'm not so crazy about all of the syrupy ballads. I do like the bonus dancehall inflected cut with Chaka Demus.

― Steve K (Steve K), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 01:04 (twenty years ago)

it's just samba-pop, steve, nothing to get all worked up about!

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 01:30 (twenty years ago)

I'm not worked up. I just like Bonga's Portuguese samba-pop ballads better. While not exactly in the same ballpark, I also really like that Sam Mangwana cd from some years back. Mangwana has lived in both Angola and the Congo and the cd nicely combines genres from both countries.

― Steve K (Steve K), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 03:08 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

I got the Thione Seck. While I do not like his voice as much as I do Youssou's, the cd's blend of Asian, Middle Eastern and African sounds with Seck's vocals is real nice.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 17 November 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

Bump....

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 17 November 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Almost missed this revive. I also got the Thione Seck recently - I don't love it yet but that could change. To be honest I haven't had time yet to give it more than 2 listens. Deserves at least 5 before I conclude anything. That also goes for Amadou and Miriam, which definitely had a few that floored me on first listen, but as a whole it hasn't seeped in yet. Still need to get 'In the Heart of the Moon.' Right now it's the Gaby Lita that I can't listen to enough.

― TRG (TRG), Thursday, 17 November 2005 16:35 (twenty years ago)

So many reissues to check out. That Congolese Gaby Lita one looks great. The D.J. Rupture/Jace Clayton blog and the Benn Loxu one both keep including cool new and retro African items.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 17 November 2005 19:51 (twenty years ago)

So many reissues is right. What's the link to that blog? Golden Afrique Vol 2 just came out -- anybody heard it? Info and tracklist here -
http://www.cdroots.com/hm-africa2.html

― TRG (TRG), Thursday, 17 November 2005 20:07 (twenty years ago)

http://www.negrophonic.com/words/

http://www.mattgy.net/music/

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 17 November 2005 20:17 (twenty years ago)

oh yeah, that Loxu blog is really good - I've heard a lot of great stuff there.

― TRG (TRG), Thursday, 17 November 2005 21:16 (twenty years ago)

Anyone got a spare $200?

― Pete Scholtes, Friday, 18 November 2005 00:24 (twenty years ago)

You mean, they don't send you promos in Minnesota from around the world!!!

― curmudgeon, Friday, 18 November 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

Golden Afrique Vol 2 just came out -- anybody heard it?

Word to the wise: Sterns! Use the MP3 "play all" link at the bottom.

http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info.php?id=29076

― mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Friday, 18 November 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

The monthly Sterns top 10s are worth checking out. That and the columns in the Beat magazine make me want to buy massive amounts of African sounds. I gotta win the lottery.

― curmudgeon (Steve K), Saturday, 19 November 2005 06:45 (twenty years ago)

I took a look at their top 25 yesterday -- 'London is the Place for Me Vol 2' came out recently, I had no idea. Add another to the list! Looking at the their charts I don't feel so bad - I've been lucky enough this year to hear a nice chunk of it.

― TRG (TRG), Saturday, 19 November 2005 14:50 (twenty years ago)

My primary information sources for African/"world" music: Sterns, Benn Loxo du Taccu, Radio 3 "Late Junction".

― mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Sunday, 20 November 2005 00:08 (twenty years ago)

afropop.org has some information. I also used to look on occasion at a chatboard called africa online that included as contributors mainly Congolese immigrants in Europe and the US. I am not sure if it still exists

― Steve K (Steve K), Sunday, 20 November 2005 01:23 (twenty years ago)

Ceasefire still sounds good to me; haven't heard Abdul's previous, but this is fine. A descendant of the African response to R&B on Love's A Real Thing. (And if that's "pop," so be it). Hard-won beauty. (And if that's cliche "paying your dues," so be it.)

― don, Sunday, 20 November 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

Ok, I'm warming up to the Amadou and Mariam. I'm not the biggest fan of Chao's production (and I don't think I'm alone) but it's getting to me now. Her voice could probably save anything. Also got 'In the Heart of the Moon' and it sounds pretty good. Still curious to play it alongside the Boubacar Traore, as Mike suggests above, but for now I'm convinced. 'London is the Place for Me Vol 2' is really great and I guess this thread sort of fits for Vol 2. Whereas Vol 1 was Trinidadians in London, this one is more expansive as the subtitle suggests: Calypso & Kwela, Highlife & Jazz From Young Black London. Wonderful stuff and as good as the first vol. Ethiopiques Vol 20 is great for anybody not burned out on the series. The Either Orchestra does a really good job with the material, though to my ears it does sound like what it is, a modern interpretation; not as good as the thing itself but still engaging.

― TRG (TRG), Sunday, 20 November 2005 19:12 (twenty years ago)

I mentioned really liking the Rough Gd to the Music of Sahara - and it's one that I keep returning to. It's filled with tons of beautiful pieces. Like this one:

"Tagot" Group Oyiwane
http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2V0RNB3NGBTHW2MNTX0TGKILZB

― TRG (TRG), Sunday, 20 November 2005 19:28 (twenty years ago)

an article on new West African stuff:

http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0547/051123_music_usefulnoise.php

― jergins (jergins), Friday, 25 November 2005 02:12 (twenty years ago)

So that's what writer Keith Harris is up to. He hasn't posted much here or on his blog lately. I did not realize Super Rail's leader had a new disc out.

― curmudgeon (Steve K), Friday, 25 November 2005 16:58 (twenty years ago)

Keith reviewed the Konono show in Philly for the paper there.

― curmudgeon (Steve K), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 02:31 (twenty years ago)

I didn't make it, becuase I had a very important job-related thing to deal with the following day and I wanted to be well-rested.

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 02:48 (twenty years ago)

Keith's article about new west African stuff is a good summary of new releases. Which reminds me, I got Traore's "Kongo Magni" and I like it quite a bit. Put next to the Toure/Diabate I agree with Mike, I'd give the Traore a slight advantage. At the same time, the more I listen to the Toure/Diabate the more I like it.

― TRG (TRG), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

slightly aside and i can't remember even if this is song name or band name but can anyone recommend me anything further by people who did positive black soul/black soul redemption or similar?

― barbarian cities (jaybob3005), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

The Geraldo Pino comp that came out this year is fantastic - I haven't heard the individual reissues, but they're available as well.

― ZR (teenagequiet), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 15:16 (twenty years ago)

I liked that Seattle Weekly article. Still have not heard the Thione Seck, though.

― mcd (mcd), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 15:27 (twenty years ago)

At the same time, the more I listen to the Toure/Diabate the more I like it.

Actually, I have to partially recant here. Having been awfully dismissive of the Toure/Diabate upthread, I have come round to it quite a lot. It's still not earth-shattering - but it's also several leagues above New Age Gift Shop Noodle.

― mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

I thought about calling you out on the gift shop slam! I'd shop there, I thought, on first hearing it. I had a few things playing on shuffle the other day and a Toure/Diabate track came on that stopped me in my tracks. I had to run over and see what it was.

Still need to get Golden Afrique 2 - those are nice sets. Also, saw that Amadou and Mariam have a 'best of' due out soon (maybe any day). And here's where I recant even further than upthread: There's only one track on the new one I skip, the rest I love.

― TRG (TRG), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 16:24 (twenty years ago)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2006/nominees.shtml

BBC 3 "world music" award nominees. They have one category called "Africa," another called "Middle east and North Africa", "club global", plus Album of the year and more.

I do not understand the love for Lura. Her cd was not bad, but I would not have it as one of the 4 Africa nominees.

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:12 (twenty years ago)

Anybody hear Salif Keita "M'bemba" ? That's one of the album of the year nominees, along with Seck, Amadou, and Toure/Diabete. Wow, no Middle Eastern or Asian or whatever cds nominated for album of the year.

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 6 December 2005 22:17 (twenty years ago)

The Seck is pretty good, I'm coming around.

― TRG (TRG), Friday, 9 December 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

Yea I think so. His voice will never rival Youssou's for me, but it is still very impressive and I like his ambitious approach on this one--the Indian and middle eastern accompaniement, etc.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 9 December 2005 17:42 (twenty years ago)

Yay! A good thread on ILM!

I really liked Amadou & Maryam when I first got it. Last week in the car I heard a random track on NPR and thought to myself "Now this is exactly the chirpy nonsense that gives African music a bad name." So I'm not sure. Maybe it was just my mood...

I know it was 2004, but what did people think about Egypt? As good as the hype?

― Mitya (mitya), Friday, 9 December 2005 18:17 (twenty years ago)

I thought it was as good as the hype, and I was sad that I was unable to see Youssou on tour recently with the Egyptian Orchestra.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 9 December 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, I definitely think you should get Egypt. I also heard the Amadou & Mariam clip on NPR - the one I heard was really short though and I thought they picked a good clip. I've never once bought anything NPR approved (that is, after hearing it on there) but I could see myself taking interest after that if I didn't know it already.

― TRG (TRG), Friday, 9 December 2005 19:13 (twenty years ago)

Great thread. I've been in an '80s afro-pop mood (Kanda Bongo Man, Johnny Clegg/Juluka, Mahotella Queens) lately, but I'm not hip to the new stuff. So yay. I was a bit fan of N'Dour's 'Egypt' album so I'm looking forward to hearing that Thione Seck.

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Friday, 9 December 2005 20:44 (twenty years ago)

I have not listened to read anything about South African music lately, especially kwaito which I understood is the most popular current sound there. I googled "best kwaito 2005" and came up with the following post from a chatboard (I do not think any of this has been released in North America):

http://www.ghettoruff.co.za/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=393&PN=1&TPN=1

BEST ALBUM
* Ntando – Imvelaphi (Heritage)
* T’Zozo & Professor – Woz’e Durban
* Prokid – Heads & Tails

BEST DANCE ALBUM
* DJ Cleo – Eskhaleni 2
* Shana – Shana
* DJ Bongs – No Retreat No Surrender

BEST FEMALE
* Zamajobe – Magic
* Lebo Mathosa – I Love Music
* KB – El Musica

BEST GROUP
* Kwani Experience – Return of the Muddaland Funk
* Freshlyground – Nomvula
* Malaika – Vuthelani

BEST HIP HOP
* Hip Hop Pantsula – Tswaka
* Wikid – Ooh Baby
* Prokid – Wozobona

BEST KWAITO
* T’Zozo & Professor – Woz’e Durban
* Izinyoka – Thebelele
* Brickz – Sweety my Baby

BEST MALE
* Ntando – Dali Wam
* Brickz – Sweety my Baby
* Zola – Zola ube Lapho

BEST NEWCOMER
* T’Zozo & Professor
* Kwani Experience
* Kaya

BEST R&B
* Khalil – Reed Dancin’
* Lee Anne – Got Me Going Crazy
* KB – How Come I’m Not Feeling You?

BEST SONG
* T’Zozo & Professor – Woz’e Durban
* Ntando – Dali Wam
* Mandoza & Danny K – Music

― curmudgeon, Friday, 9 December 2005 21:23 (twenty years ago)

"listened to or read "

From another site:

http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/culture/kwaito-uk-211105.htm

Kwaito blasts British airwaves

22 November 2005

Kwaito, the music of South African urban youth, is blasting over the UK airwaves with the launch of a new radio station, Hills 102fm.

SA DJ Dennis Matsane hosts the station's morning show, and has already treated his audience to the music of top kwaito stars Zola and Malaika, according to the Sunday Times.

"In the UK, African music gets almost no airplay, in favour of huge European and American acts," he told the newspaper. He has played Malaika's hit song Destiny and songs from Zola's new album, Ibuthu, and believes this is the first time kwaito has been played on a UK radio station.

Kwaito, which first emerged in the 1990s, is is a mixture of 1920s marabi, the kwela of the 1950s, mbaqanga of the hostel dwellers, 1980s pop and imibongo, African praise poetry, with influences from hip-hop, dub, jazz and UK house music.

Hills 102fm broadcasts live from Coventry to the Warwickshire region.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 9 December 2005 21:28 (twenty years ago)

Peel was playing kwaito stuff years ago. I bet a few others, Kershaw most obviously, were doing the same.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 9 December 2005 21:54 (twenty years ago)

I think someone who lived in South Africa used to post here (maybe still does?) but I do not think he liked kwaito.

― curmudgeon (Steve K), Saturday, 10 December 2005 03:28 (twenty years ago)

anyone have any of this kwaito they could YSI us?

― Mitya (mitya), Sunday, 11 December 2005 02:52 (twenty years ago)

This Thione Seck is a serious album of the year contender!

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Sunday, 11 December 2005 16:30 (twenty years ago)

Unfortunately Sterns never does much publicity work in the US, and/or never hires a pr Company, plus Seck did not tour, so it won't get quite as many poll slots as it should. It will be on my top 10.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 12 December 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

Songlines mag is touting the new Salif Keita M'bemba cd, which I have yet to see around here in the DC area. Keita moved home to Mali and recorded the album there. It is supposedly acoustic but more upbeat and danceable than his last album.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 12 December 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

I wonder if the Keita cd will get a US release?

― curmudgeon, Friday, 16 December 2005 17:18 (twenty years ago)

You would think so (hope so) - it seems to be well reviewed and his others have all been released stateside, haven't they? (Not that is ultimately a good indicator.)

― TRG (TRG), Friday, 16 December 2005 17:26 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

Picked up Amadou Balake's "Taximen +" that came out at some point this year - two albums on one CD released by the Popular African Music label. Was previously only familiar with his song "Taximen" which was something of a hit and is indeed a great 70s West African pop tune. The liner notes are pretty funny: "The two albums on this CD were recorded in Nigeria. Amadou Balake only remembers a few of the musicians: Traore Kemogo called "Pacheco" played lead guitar on ls-7, a Mr Diallo played bass, Amadou Diallo played drums and Paul Kamba played congas. Concerning ls-11 Amadou Balake just remembers that the lead guitarist was a Guinean." On first listen it sounds great.

― TRG (TRG), Saturday, 31 December 2005 01:27 (twenty years ago)

fifteen years pass...

RIP Thione Seck from Senegal. His 2005 Orientation album as noted back then was a great one . Also liked as also noted above his late 1970s involvement in Orchestre Baobab plus his later efforts with his own band

― curmudgeon, Monday, 15 March 2021 14:09 (five years ago)

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