Scattered across the forum there are many references and recommendations for music recorded in Africa by African singers and African musicians. This thread has been started in an attempt to gather as many recommendations as well as what members are currently listening to, all in the one thread. To get things underway I'll mention a wonderful album I only found out existed this week, and I have been thoroughly enjoying listening to it ever since! Angola 72/74 - BONGA (Lusafrica) 2CD Two excellent vocal albums with top notch backing reissued in 2007 on a double CD. The two albums were originally issued on two Morabeza LPs in 1972 and 1974 respectively.
Pirates Choice - Orchestra Baobab (World Circuit) 2CD 2CDs are in a double jewel case which is packaged in cardboard slipcase, along with a 16 page booklet. Every so often something wonderful comes along that you initially miss out on, then years after release you eventually get round to checking it out and discover it is such a total delight you immediately want to check out what else is available by the artist(s) as well as telling as many other other music lovers as possible how absolutely wonderful your belated discovery is. This double CD by Orchestra Baobab is one such example of all that! According to the sleeve notes... "The recordings on these 2 CDs were originally released on cassette in Senegal in 1982. Some time later the six tracks contained on CD 1 were released as a vinyl album in France. It was this record that became something of a Holy Grail for fans of African Music, and it was these same six tracks that World Circuit released for the first time on CD in 1989 under the title Pirates Choice. This new edition also includes the remaining six tracks from the original sessions, again for the first time on CD. All twelve tracks are now presented with improved sound, re-mastered from the original session tapes". *Admirers of Cuban & African influenced rhythms should check these recordings out pronto, that is if you haven't done so already!
Good idea, to put all kinds of African Music in a one and only thread I think... one of the first that MUST be put in this thread could be but this one as well: an other one from Diabatè. this time togheter with Albarn Damon this one with Taj Mahal made me crazy, when I bought it:
this one too, is oh so beautifull: In "Afrocubism" (the name already says it) the African and Cuban music meet. But I would say that more than "meeting" we talk about a marriage, a love marriage. For those unfamiliar with it ... REALLY RECOMMENDED! (... AND... BELIEVE ME, PLEASE.... IT'S VERY NICE RECORDED AS WELL!)
by the way... it's a few months ago I listened to Baobab Orchestra... their fresh and joyfull approach to music sometimes is good for the heart...
I know I'm deficient in African music, but I enjoy what I do have immensely. My initial introduction were Osibisa in the early '70s. Osibisa 1971 Line LCCD 9.01266 Woyaya 1971 Line LCCD 9.01267 Heads 1972 Line LCCD 9.01268 Then I came across a positive review of South African Township compilations. These blew me away. The Indestructible Beat of Soweto Vol. 1 1985 Earth Works CDEWV 14 The Indestructible Beat of Soweto Vol. 2 1987 Earth Works CDEWV 1 Directly followed by King Sunny Ade (Nigeria) The Return of the Juju King 1986 Mercury 832 522-2 And, of course, Youssou N'Dour (Senegal) Nelson Mandela 1985 Polydor 831 294-2 Fatteliku 1987 Real World 800424 1 Immigrés 1988 Virgin CDEWV 10 The Lion 1989 Virgin CDV 2584 Set 1990 Virgin CDV 2634 Eyes Open 1992 Columbia 471186 3 The Guide (Wommat) 1994 Columbia 476508 2 Joko (From Village to Town) 2000 Columbia 489718 2 Nothing's in Vain 2002 Nonesuch 9 79654-2 Rokku mi Rokka (Give and Take) 2007 Nonesuch 9 79961-8 Dakar - Kingston 2010 Universal 5328374 5 Next, Ali Farka Touré (Mali) The River 1990 World Circuit WCD 17 Talking Timbuktu 1994 World Circuit WCD 40 And still hooked on Amadou & Mariam (Mali) Sou Ni Tilé 1998 Emarcy 557 118-2 Tjé Ni Mousso 1999 Polydor 543 067-2 Wati 2002 Universal 016 858-2 Dimanche à Bamako 2004 Because 2260-2 Paris Bamako 2005 Because 310 9227 Welcome to Mali 2008 Because BEC 5772410 Folila 2012 Because 2564660572 La Confusion 2017 Because BEC 5543140 There is a good possibility this thread will cost me money.
A couple of recent Bandcamp downloads, 24-bit Hi-Res Kokufa yo moko - Germaine Kobo Koyekola - Germaine Kobo from the album Art & Muzik du Monde - droits reserves...
This thread will not be complete until some Analog Africa and Soundway titles are mentioned. It's a blessing that those two labels exist.
A lengthy session for me this morning (over 2 hours 20) taken up with an intriguing selection of African/World recordings from the master Congolese guitarist Franco and his band. There's a little Jazz sprinkled in there too! FRANCOPHONIC | franco & le tpok jazz (Congo Classics | Sterns Africa) 2CD Africa's Greatest | A Retrospective Vol. 1 (1953 -1980) Two separate CDs in slipcase + 48 page booklet. "On entre O.K." - franco & le tpok jazz 1953 - 1971 (CD 1) "Tout puissance" - franco & le tpok jazz 1973 - 1980 (CD 2) From his first recordings in 1953 to his death in 1989, Franco Luambo (to use one of the many possible extensions of his name) dominated the music of sub-Saharan Africa in a way that is difficult to over-estimate. And the fact that he is still comparatively unknown in the world of ‘world music’ is a travesty of justice that these 2CDs, with their rare photos, thoroughly researched and eloquent notes, sets out to redress. Crucial African Music!
Tony Bird (white, but born and raised in Malawi) has a brand of African folk-rock like nothing else I've ever heard. His vocals take some getting used to, but it's worth it. He did two albums for Columbia back in the '70s, which are out of print but surprisingly easy to find on eBay, and his third album, Sorry Africa (1990) is still in print. All are top shelf!
Made in DAKAR - Orchestra BAOBAB (World Circuit) CD CD issued in 2007 in a jewel case with cardboard slipcase and 16 booklet. One of my my most listened to African Music albums. Excellent and uplifting music from start to finish. The rhythms, vocals and quicksilver guitar sounds are a joy to hear.
This Tinariwen record has become a classic on the day of its release. it will be current even in 10/20/30 years
Surpised to see no mention yet of Juluka, Interesting South African multi-racial band led by Johnny Clegg, who was white, and Sipho Mchunu, wh was a Zulu.
Anyone interested in a guide to African music ought to listen to Tony Hunter's 1984 radio transmissions. Apparently he was an Australian who went to Zimbabwe in the early 80s, and he shared the music from that country at a local radio show at home. Later on he covered some countries elsewhere on the continent. Its a nice little perspective because, unlike many of the expertly-curated collections above, its not necessarily a retrospect looking back at some halcyon days. Instead, it discussed fairly contemporary music (perhaps the oldest tunes on the radio show were like 15 years old at that point). Anyway, a lot of the music he mentions is now relatively available through reissues, so if you like something he played 35 years ago, try to nab it. ElectricJive: African Music Show #1: Zimbabwe (1984) ElectricJive: African Music Show #2: West & Central Africa (1984) ElectricJive: African Music Show #3: East and southern Africa
The Discograph series of African Pearl albums are excellent (haven't listened to them all though), especially One day on radio Mali and Guineé : Cultural Revolution. Nice double CDs with booklet. African Pearls And not to be missed 20CD box set Africa 50 years of Music by the same label. That'll get you started.
Oh yeah just saw note that there's a Witch documentary coming, think it's called by the words the acronym breaks down to We Intend To Cause Havoc. I think it was the trailer that I saw a link to.
Here's another top ranker from ORCHESTRA BAOBAB Specialist in all STYLES - Orchestra Baobab (World Circuit) CD Released 2002. CD packaged in slipcase with 16 booklet. Every so often you hear a record and never expect for a moment it is going to knock you for six. This album falls into that category for me. Great infectious music presented in stunning sound. Guests include Ibrahim Ferrer, Youssou N'Dour & Thio M'Baye This is one REMARKABLE album that I highly recommend.
