Guinea: the old (part 1/2)

by The Tolerant Traveler on January 25, 2012 · 0 comments

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.

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Africa 50 Years of Independence 1960-2010

by The Tolerant Traveler on January 25, 2012 · 0 comments

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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Cheikh Lo’s Jamm…Chill, and enjoy the groove

2 December 2011

I can’t believe I missed this one, but miss it I did, and so for some of the readers this might be old news. But as I am trying to document the best in World music, I will not be deterred from writing about one of my favourite Senagelese artists, who’s album releases are a [...]

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Fatoumata Diawara – Ivory Coast via Mali with lots of influence

30 November 2011

The latest album to arrive with me is one of those gems that I find myself driven to writing about and sharing with all the readers of this blog. Fatoumata is (at the time of writing) a 30 year rising star of world music. Her singing is a mix of Malian grooves, some more reminiscent [...]

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It’s all about being friendly and positive

9 July 2010

The thing that I hope with music is that it can bring us all together. Tomorrow evening I’m off to see a concert in my home town…the Festical Au Desert is bringing some of the heavweights over from Sengal and Mali, including the legendary Vieux Farka Toure among others.
Can’t wait to see and hear the [...]

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Ali and Toumani – their finest collaboration

6 May 2010

I’ve just bought an album that has to go down as one of the most spectacular of the year, and it’s been carried off by two of my favourite artists: Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate. But you’re probably asking the question, how can Ali return from the grave to record an album? Well, this [...]

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