I’ve just been listening to a track by the Bembeya Jazz National (see the video on the right). A track from the 1960s needs some context so here goes: it was following Guinean Independence in 1958 that saw Guinean pride soar to new levels and numerous bands sprang up throughout the African country. Of those that appeared, one of the most noted was the Bembeya Jazz National, which won two awards at the Biennale festivals of 1962 and 1964. It’s when you listen to Bembeya Jazz that you appreciate that it’s sound is timeless and, unlike Europe’s modern day Biennale X-factor, by contrast Bembeya will provide people in future years with their musical awakening, and fuel a desire to learn about music from the African continent. The group was formed by Aboubacar Dembar Camara in 1961 and the group, which went on to include members such as lead vocalist Sekouba Mabino Diabate, and Sekou “Diamond Fingers” Diabate on electric guitar, specialized in modern arrangements of classic Manding songs. After Camara was sadly killed ina car accident in 1973 critics said the group lost its sparkle, despite continuing for a number of years before finally disbanding in 1991. So here on these pages we salute Camara and members of Bembeya Jazz National for the music and the passion of their grooves.
If you didn’t buy the compilation of 2010, “Africa 50 years of Indepdence 1960-2010” you are forgiven only as long as you are ignorant of this album, and you have just lost that right by reading this post (sorry about that!).
In fact I’m opening a new category just for this album because it is one of the greatest collections of African music for African aficionados that’s been compiled period. Splitting the continent along geographic lines will see three CDs on West Africa, South Africa, South Eastern Africa…and all the others…..it’s all there. What’s lovely about this album (which finally spreads itself out over 18 CDS) is the accompanying booklet that comes with the CDs. Sleeve notes, all but abandoned in this digital age, are and remain an integral part of any music compilation and the booklet is more akin to a encyclopedia of African music. So, if you’ve not bought this album and you love African music and the reviews on this website, save up and get this legendary addition to your collection.
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