Posts tagged as:

African Blues

Boubacar Traoré – The bluesman

5 October 2012

I went browsing last week on my favourite world music shop, sternsmusic.com, to see what I might have missed out on since my last visit (children can put months between the things we used to do on a daily basis – happily!). I noticed that I haad missed out on an album that was in [...]

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Guinea: the old (part 1/2)

25 January 2012

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 [...]

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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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Arabo-Muslim…the Great River tradition

23 October 2009

Latest review of Afel Bocoum’s album, Tabital Pulaaku, a great album shining strong in the African Blues tradition.

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Kora – just sit back and be amazed

18 September 2009

Read all about the most amazing of West Africa’s traditional instrument, the fabulous Kora.

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African Blues Evolved – Tinariwen

3 September 2009

Tinariwen’s latest album, Imidiwan, follows on the success of groups 2007 release “Aman Iman: Water is Life”. I’ve been following the groups success right from their beginnings. The story behind the music is one of bloodshed, rebellion and suffering, for an excellent write-up see Andy Morgan’s biography on their website. For us, it’s the music [...]

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