African Music

Orchestra Baobab - Pirates Choice (Full Album)

Orchestra Baobab was a 70s Senegalese Afro-Cuban band. "Pirate's Choice" was recorded in 1982 shortly before they disbanded. Highly enjoyable.

ALIF - Poocho Na Falambe

ALIF is more of a project than a band. They blend music (and musiciens) from Africa, India and the Maghreb. The result could be a mess but is very coherent and convincing instead.

Sona Jobarteh is a female virtuoso (virtuosa?) of the kora, a Sahelien harp. Meditative. Cleansing, almost.

https://youtu.be/oToZfPGMMBY

https://youtu.be/HBx5Ud-wm58

I remember this one! Had no idea who sang it - thank you.

And Johnny Clegg!

as always great offerings

a friend travels to the Gambia for a month each year to study kora - she sounds nothing like this

love this thread..

Thanks Jo, Jesp and ehBeth. I bet you remember this guy.

Fela Kuti - Lady

Me in '71, when that came out? Running around with my head cut off, in love (a fool again), loving my job, even working late while salaried, except when I started in on evening art classes, and music for me was by radio, good radio to me. Los Angeles area had some terrific stations. I remember Fela, but not the when, where, or what pieces.
Probably on KCRW or the good Pasadena station..

In 71 I was 7, not ready for Fela yet. Not sure I am ready for him 40+ years later BTW, always found his Afrobeat lengthyish and messy, but the guy was a great showman.



He also had a tough political stance in Nigeria which landed him in jail for years. F....d too many girls to count, and once married the 27 women in his band. He died of AIDS in 97.

I had guessed and didn't want to type my guess, that you were ten, then.
Snort, you are a year younger than my ex.
(don't go worrying)

Oy vey..

Yep. Born in the 60's...

For kora fans, Ballaké Sissoko from Mali has worked with many classical musicians, eg with celist Vincent Segal or pianist Ludovico Einaudi. This is not, therefore, "African music" in the traditional sense. But Africans are entitled to try new stuff too... :-)

And here is a duo of Malian kora players, Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko! Kora galore...

Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora - Yamore

Souad Massi - Talit al Bir


When will the sun come out?
I cried my misfortune and wallowed in sorrow
My sleep is scarce and tortured
And all those I speak to of my woes remain perplex
X2

I looked into the well, I looked into the well
I looked into the well and said “booh !”
And the well said “boohiii !”
(=the echo, but also meaning “booh to you too” ie “shame on you”, possibly because the character is contemplating suicide)

Standing in the doorframe at dawn
In despair and measuring my loss
If you give me lies, cheating and treachery
I will say hello to faces of goodness (meaning that lies, cheating and treachery would be a pleasure as compared to what she’s going through)
X2

I looked into the well, I looked into the well
I looked into the well and said “booh !”
And the well said “boohiii !”

Sorry, I just love Souad Massi a little bit too much...

Souad Massi - Ech Edani (I Shouldn't Have Fallen in Love With You)

I don't know much about african music but I saw this thread and just wanted to share. I remeber once I visited the museum of darkness ( the view of blind people). There was nothing there but darkness, sounds and shapes to touch. We went into one empty room just to listen to the music, and there were african rhythms. That was a splendid moment

Welcome Beelost! Yes, drums can be very powerful. Some fantastic dances and rythms here:

wonderful...