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

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.

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