Saturday, October 10, 2009

 

Samaya Djely dite Mah Kouyate no. 1 Vol. 1

Face A
Sira Djeli
Soundiata

Face B
Ssanga N'ngnogote
Fila Djole
Djala

Some of my favorite Mandingo griot music from Mali. The electric kora rises to particularly gratifying heights throughout (don't you dare hate on electric kora, my dudes). Meanwhile Kouyate's voice—thick as a tree trunk, light as a feather—turns emotional straw into gold before our ears.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

 


City Boys Band Led By Obuoba J.A. Adofo Nya Asem Hwe

Side 1
Nya Asem Hye
Nko Nngya M'Akyir
Osu A Meresu
Ofie Nipa See Wo A

Side 2
Akutiabo
Ankwanoma Dede
Baabi Dehyee
Nko Besie

Many readers will recognize J.A. Adofo and his City Boys Band from previous posts. Some readers will likely find this post the best of the bunch. Few readers will deny this legend of Ghanaian highlife's impressive versatility. All readers ought to check out tracks 3 and 7.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

 

Ogene Nti-Ike

Side A
Onye Bu Nwa Nnem
Eriwe Agwuaguwu
Onwere Aka Naku/Ogene Gbogbo/Hausa Achighkwa Igbo Achiwa

Side B
Okanga Utoba
Onwu Ama Onye Ukwu
K'Ayi Naba

I got this in a shop in Lefferts Gardens filled floor to ceiling with Nigerian films and African soap. It was buried in a rack of gospel tapes.

Maybe I'm daft but I couldn't have guessed by looking at it that this Ogene tape would turn out to be very, very good music (hint: bell patterns repeating toward infinity).

Saturday, September 12, 2009

 


Zamb!ance

Side A
Kambowa—Shalawambe
Mao (2X2)—Amayenge
Itumba—Alfred Chisala Kalusha
Impanga Ya Mambwe—Kalambo Hit Parade

Side B
By Air—Labani Kalunga & Fikshala Band
Nyina Kataila Pts 1&2—Kalambo Hit Parade
Tai Yaka—Ilizya
Icupo Cha Kulala Pa Mpapa—Shalawambe

I've been saving this near-perfect compilation of uptempo guitar pop from Zambia for a rainy day. Tracks 3, 4, 6, 7...well, pretty much all are sublime. Note: my copy of the cassette is missing the final track.

The excellent Matsuli blog has posted this recording before. And it's apparently available at Amazon.

PS: I'll be DJing Awesome Tapes from Africa on Saturday, Sept 19 at Zebulon in Brooklyn with a bunch of cool people and performers TBA.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

 


Ali Akeko of Meketho Band Olwikho Vol 5

Side A
Namulekhwa Pt. 2
Likongolo
Ndi Mufumbi

Side B
Wamama Na Maendeleo
Say Ma
Joseph Ekumba
Dunia Ya Mateso

Ali Akeko has a fascinating home life.

Benga music from Western Kenya makes me smile and sway as people keep telling me the summertime dwindles. I for one am carrying the hot months feeling well into September with cut-offs, bare feet and heirloom tomatoes, not to mention airy musical moods like this to combat the heat and humidity.

Special thanks to Schnipper for the new tape deck. My old one finally passed away last weekend.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

 


Another brilliant tape from Mauritania by way of Guelmim, Morocco

Side 1

Side 2

Excellent singing and ghostly guitar from Guelmim, Morocco (see also).

Hopefully someone will eventually tell us the name of this group, song titles and/or context.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

 


Onipa Nua I Feel Alright

Side A
I Feel Alright
Auntie Rosina
Gormccna Gudu
Babungida

Side B
Anuanum Adofo
Zuda Gabati
Gantuma
Auntie Rosina (instrumental)

Left field awesomeness from a former-street-performer-turned-singer/songwriter in Ghana who passed away shortly after being discovered. Bombastic rock and gentle folk melodies.

Check out XLR8R's array of podcasts, I recently did an Awesome Tapes from Africa mix for them, which can be downloaded here.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

 


Ebaahi Soundz Oshitℇ

Side A
Oshitℇ
GbomↃ Ehii
Afi Eshℇ

Side B
Kpanlogo
Yℇn Kai Debi
Okrabitstℇ

These are my JAMZ. Thanks to Annabel for bringing this classic Ghanaian music to us, direct from her musical studies with Ga people of Accra. Unfortunately there are not many bands still active in this realm of vintage highlife today. Look out for the mother of all Ga culture troupes Wulomei in a forthcoming post.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

 


Bonga Kandandu

Side A
Sambila
Um Kandandu Amigo
Kamusekele
Malalanza
Saudades Terras Enclave

Side B
Mambia
Midjeris Di Pano Preto
Nguzo
Iokangue

Here's something different for me. It's from Angola (by way of a semi-mysterious package from Switzerland I received a while back). Softer, fado-oriented jams. Portuguese.

I will be playing Awesome Tapes from Africa as guest of my good friends MI AMI in San Francisco on Thursday, stop by if you're in town.

7/2/09
Knockout SF
9:45 / $5

AWESOME TAPES FROM AFRICA from NYC DJ SET!

MI AMI live

DOUBLE DAGGER live (Baltimore - Thrill Jockey)

PSYCHIC REALITY live

BEAST OF THOUGHT live

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

 


Oum Koulsoum Rak El Habib

Side 1

Side 2




Oum Koulsoum

Side 1

Side 2

If you aren't familiar with the magic that is Oum Koulsoum (or Umm Kolthoum or whatever; there are a million ways of spelling her name in the Roman alphabet so take a deep breath before googling) consider this your formal introduction. She is bigger in Egypt than Prince and R Kelly are in the States (combined).

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

 

Bill Diakhou Nation

Side A
Intro
Hôpital*
Mère Mbaye
Audience Baykät

Side B
Dabakh
Baye Aiou Mat Baye*
Yarou
Gaïndé

*—GREAT

I found this tape inside the case of another and since I love a different Bill Diakhou joint from a while back I thought I'd grab this. The cassette cover above is the best I could find on the web, it will have to do. There are approximately two really good songs on this tape, and I think they are GREAT. Senegalese rap from 2002.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

 


African Stars (Twanga Pepeta) Chuki Binafsi

Face A
Chuki Binafsi (Ally Chocky)
Busu La Kufunga Mwaka (Ally Chocky)
Wa Mbili Havai Moja (Victor Mkambi)

Face B
Jaribu Kufikiri (Hadjia Mnoga)
La Mgambo (Rogatte Hega)
Amani Africa (Bob Guard William)
Wanga Pepeta Show (African Stars)

Jovial-sounding music from Tanzania with a summertime vibe. It feels appropriate today. Buy this album here.

PS: I came across a post of incredible early Fela recordings at the Voice of America's African music blog the other day.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

 


The Best of Alhaji K. Frimpong Rikia

Side A
Rikia
Kyenkyen
Ewurade

Side B
Adam
Owuo Kyiri Obiaa*
Asaasi Yiso

*—So good

I could not get into this highlife cassette from Ghana for the longest time. But I recently tried again and got hooked on the 5th song. I am feeling much of the rest of the tape right now too. Having showered tons of attention on a different, far superior K. Frimpong tape, I won't let this fiesta of drum programming and quality vocals suffer in the shadows any longer.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

 

Shadia

Side A

Side B

Wow, thank you random Bay Ridge video store...The friendly shopkeeper told me Shadia is one of the classic singers from Egypt. Haunting melodies and songs of possible heartbreak and disappointment by an old film actress? I adore this whole scenario (along with the design of the cassette cover).

Sunday, May 24, 2009

 

Assane Ndiaye et le Raam Daan Nguisstaal

Face A
Nguisstal
Darou-Salam
Ligueye

Face B
Diné
Niane-gui
Kilifeu

Come check out Awesome Tapes from Africa live DJ set at 92Y Tribeca in New York City on Friday May 29.

Monday, May 18, 2009

 


What is this Ethiopian compilation?

Side 1

Side 2

This mix of jams Ethiopia has raised the bar for me. Quite an awesome array of stuff in here, I am happy to remain ignorant of what all is going on with this tape for now...listen and enjoy. This tape courtesy of my homie Shawn.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

 



Ramata Diakite Na

Face A
Aye Yafama
Na
Sina Musso
Saba

Face B
Sonte Samarala
Nana
Moko Balou
Dibi

A guy named Phil from UK offers this guest post, an incredible cassette from Wassoulou music hero Ramata Diakite...

I was in Mali with Oxfam, visiting development projects in the north and south on which I've been doing communications work this year.

The driver we traveled with had this tape. And a Bob Marley greatest hits. We literally had them on repeat for about 2 days driving through the Sahara desert - it brings it all back! Later when I was back in Bamako before leaving for home, I found the tape in the market.

The song "Nana" kills me! All the different rhythmic and melodic lines. Man!


Man, indeed.—Ed.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

 


What's the name of this band/album?...

Side 1

Side 2

...I have no idea but this tape from Guelmim, a town in southern Morocco, is INSANE. commanding vocal repetitions, lyrical guitar space-outs and infinite hand-clapping vs. spectacular use of auto-tune vocals and mod wheel synth embellishments. If all music sounded like this (and everyone listened to this tape exclusively each day) there would be no reason to blog, no war, no corruption, we'd all just be chilling blissed-out lying on pillows in sunny living rooms for eternity. This is beautifully smart and modern music.

Chris, who is traveling in the region right now, sent this to me explaining it's Hassaniya (the Arabic dialect spoken in most of Mauritania, Western Sahara and elsewhere) music. I'd be curious to know more about these artists and this cassette if anyone has additional info...

Saturday, May 02, 2009

 

Mapenda et le Takander Group Loubess

Face A
Lila War
Mbeugël
Boul ma Dieuye

Face B
Djiguéne
Am-am
Mame Ruba

Senegalese cinema genius Ousmane Sembene made a film toward the end of his career called Faat Kine (2000). It's about a successful single mother who owns a gas station in Dakar, portrayed as this sort of challenge to male-dominated Senegal. Her son Djip is a hip and savvy young smart-ass who refuses to call his father (who had earlier abandoned the family) "father." In my imagination Djip and his homies cruise around Dakar on Sundays visiting friends, listening to mbalax tapes like this.

Speaking of Sembene, if there's one Senegalese film not to miss it's Black Girl (La Noire De...) (1966). Brutal, beautiful and haunting.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

 


Aron Kiebreab 1996 Vol. 3

Side 1
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4

Side 2
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8

This is a tape of Eritrean music my friend Shawn found in LA. I have not heard anything like this before. This guy jamming on the great grandfather of the banjo with an amazing incessant heavy thud rocking all sounds forward splat. Sublime and heartfelt singing. Cheap-sounding minimal keyboard accompaniment. I think I'm in love.

As always, language guidance on the album/song titles/topics would be most appreciated.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

 


My man Simon is at it again...his last mixtape was warmly received, this one will surely please. It contains deep music by crucial artists from Mali, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal...

Download Simon's Praises & Ballads selection:

Thione Seck - Chauffeur Bi
Alou Fané & Daouda Sangaré - Nambara Mogo
Super Djata de Bamako - Bimoko Magnin
Etoile de Dakar - Aladj
Kojo Mireku's Band - Mepe Me Ho Asem
Ashanti Brothers Band - Odo Afre Me
Dr. T.O. Jazz International Band - Asem Atome
Oko's Guitar Band - Ebeye Yie
Salif Keita & Kante Manflia - Wara-Mana
Ali Farka Toure - Kady
Kassa Tresor Mihindou - Dwimbu
Virtuoses Diabate - N'fa
David Zé - Ngongo Mua Ngola
Balla et ses Balladins - Leydi Mendnin
Celestine Ukwu - Onwu Bu Ugwo
E.T. Mensah and the Tempos Band - Medaho Mao
Cardinal Rex Lawson - Elizer
Lijadu Sisters - Osupa

Sunday, March 22, 2009

 


Dealers de Rimes

Face A
Bideew Bou Bess "Kaylen"
RCFA "Textes Crus au Crom"
Dynamike "Les Raisons de Ma Colère"
Passi "Ex Nihilo"

Face B
Bideew Bou Bess "Run Them"
Passi "Famille et Amis"
Dynamike "Je Cherche"
Passi "Ma Zik"


Senegalese rap compilation from 2001. Yes. Thank you, Bed-Stuy area African grocery.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

 


Karamoko Keita

Side A
Diama
Lemourou
Niame

Side B
Labankassi
Fouroui Kadi Ni Kanouye
Siwa Mousso

This tape is legendary in my world. By popular demand...(talked about this tape here also).

(Excuse the delay in posting, internet has been out for weeks.)

Saturday, February 28, 2009

 


John Chibadura and the Tembo Brothers

Side A
Ambuya Vangu
Shanje Dzepabarika
Chimwene
Am,Ai Vagivemore
Sindiwe

Side B
Basa Igoride
Madiro
Sango Rinopa Waneta
Ambuya Ndirereiwo
Muvakidzani Wangu


For all those upbeat guitar-crazy sweet-melody-philes... This is relatively spectacular. Peace to Zimbabwe.

(a nice guy from switzerland sent this tape to me, thanks homie)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

 


Touty & Absa Cora Group Palestine

Side A
Palestine
Day Fink
Mbëgel

Side B
Weet Gore
Bor Yi
Diasaka*

*—Wow, this is my favorite song

Mbalax from Senegal. Jamming layers of drums with haunting melodies and kora. Nice blurry cassette cover.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

 

Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali Vol. 4 Musolu

Side 1
Aw Bissimilaï
Musolu
Cedo
Fucuna

Side 2
Bolimbo
Samiromba
Hilo Hilo
Dounamba

In Mali, government-sponsored music apparently means the best music in the world.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

 

Sounds of Our Time, a compilation by Hammer

Side A
Dora Motia*
Kwakwa Kwau Kese*
Wotome Agbeko feat. Paxi*
You May Kiss your Bride Bollie*
Ke Shi Ka Le Scizo

Side B
Agynoamoa Kwesi Okra*
Skillz Trigga & Nyega
The Workshop Okra & Motia
Ngbe Yee Yoo The Last Page
Odo ne Asomdwe Accra's Finest
Close Down (Outro)

*—OH SHIT

Hammer's Sounds of Our Time is some of my all-time favorite hiplife from Ghana, a highly influential mixtape when it came out in 2004. It brought mainstream attention to the then-burgeoning trend of well-known producers making compilations featuring up-and-coming rappers culled from their "stables"...At the time, Hammer was already a successful producer with an influential production style. This release introduced a slew of virtual unknown rappers that received initial air-play and recognition through their association with Hammer. A few of these artists offer incredible performances on this tape and went on to become stars, which helped consolidate Hammer's legend in certain circles.

The producer took pains to include a linguistically diverse selection of guys (and gals; see track 9) who rap in Twi, Ga, Ewe and English. Since hiplife is mostly in Twi and the non-Twi tracks here are so impressive, this record helped break new ground in encouraging young artists from less-dominant language groups to participate in the movement.

These may not sound like instant classics to you but there's not a club or party in Ghana that doesn't explode with energy when the DJ spins "You May Kiss Your Bride".

Saturday, December 20, 2008

 

Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz

Side A
Mario

Side B
Likambo Na Moto Te
Ekoti Ya Neube

Franco is a legend of Congolese music. Don't sleep.

Monday, December 08, 2008

 

Best of Sagbohan Danialou

Face A
Commerce Triangulaire (A Qui la Faute)
Retour au Village
Africana
Foutou Banana
Suru
Tafè Yom'Tomè

Face B
Wan Gni Gni*
Djo Assou Tchédo (Laisse Moi Mon Mari)*
Avalè
Adji Non Wé
Programme Change
Afélélé*

*—If you only listen to two-three songs

Frank (Voodoo Funk) brought me a few Sagbohan Danialou tapes from Guinea. It's an awfully impressive gift from someone who probably had a lot of other things to bring home, like, um, 6 million records. Not sure this is my favorite but there are a couple songs that move me, plus I found the cover to be idiosyncratic and I thought I should share it.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

 


Awesome President-elect from Africa

Sunday, November 16, 2008

 


Agbadza

Side 1

Side 2

This is a tape of agbadza music, which hs its roots in a historical war dance. It's still commonly performed along the coast of West Africa, around eastern Ghana and Togo and Benin.

The agbadza dance is pretty distinct. This Togolese hip-hop video shows people dancing agbadza (flapping arm movement), among other things...

 


Yoro Diallo dit Fernando Moutchatcha

Face A
Talassa
Dona
Manima
Soumba

Face B
Moutchatcha
Franyra
Horma
San Wo San


I recommend the song "San Wo San." Tangled guitars on repeat like that does it for me approx seven days a week. Anyone know anything about this guy Mutchatcha?

Saturday, November 01, 2008

 



Bamba J Fall Gën Gui Dëk

Face A
Gën Gui Dëk
Djirim
Yabi Door
Free Naya

Face B
Caddu Baycat
Yaay
Ndiangane
Remembering

I thought this would be a straightforward Senegalese rap tape, but it moves constantly between hooky pop, dancehall and hip-hop. Rap-reggae-dancehall music in Senegal is so firmly entrenched at this point that perhaps it's all one in the same to the ears of the current generation of artists. OK, it can't be that simple....but there's something interesting to me about how flexible and genre-inclusive the current urban musics across Africa tend to be, from bongo flava to hiplife to kuduro. Diverse musical approaches, sources and influences intermingle, things are rarely as box-able as we think, etc, etc.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

 

Maurice Maiga and Amore Cultural Group Mugun Fata

Side A
Amore
Mugun Fata *
Karen Dawure

Side B
Ana ce Shashashai *
Hanu New Maka
Ni Da Yariga
Amuni Na

*—don't miss

"Hausa folkloric highlife" from northern Ghana. This cassette—like this and this—was produced and engineered by Blessed Gregory, currently a central figure in this music that weds northern Ghanaian musical sensibilities (references to Islam; extensive use of the dondo or "talking drum") with mainstream highlife and neo-folk gome rhythms (like what you hear on the Allan Family cassettes).

Called simpa music, it's been around for ages and has always simultaneously drawn inspiration from social issues important to Northerners and the popular sounds coming from Ghana's coastal south. Noted ethnomusicologist and all-around incredible person John Collins has written on it a bit.

It was my pal Wills who supplied this tape. When I saw it in his collection I had to borrow/share...

Sunday, October 12, 2008

 

Oudaden

Side 1
Ibadl Zmane
Itine Al Hame
Track 3

Side 2
Bab Noujmile
Aman Ya Dnine Aya

This tape of music from Morocco appears here thanks to Jon Leland, who says:

There appear to be only 4 track titles but the first side has three tracks. one is shorter though so it might be part of one of the others, i just don't know which one.

There is a road that goes from Marrakech into the Ourika valley at the foothills of the Atlas mountains and ends at the Setti Fatma waterfalls, a small tourist attraction. There are small homes, cafes, and hotels alongside the road the whole way up, and at some point I stopped at a cafe which was next to a booth filled with tapes and cds. I tried to ask the vendor for a suggestion but there was just too much and he didn't play anything that really caught my ear. Then while I was eating and watching women who lived in the valley washing carpets in the river down from the road, this tape came blasting out of the booth. Drenched in reverb and delay and accompanying the view of clouds moving across the mountains in front of me, it was a magical sound, so I bought the tape. Later I listened to it over and over driving through the Sahara with no A/C.

Oudaden is the plural of oudad, which I think is the animal depicted on the covers of almost all of their tapes. The arabic on the cover just says Oudaden so I guess this tape has no title.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

 


Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and his Miliki Sound

Side 1
Alowo Majaiye
Aiye Laba Ohun Gbogbo
Rora
Gba Mi Lowo Ota
Ma Di Oni Kanra
Ile Baba MI

Side 2
Miliki
Pepeiye Bimo
Maje Nyo Aiye Wa
Baiye Nsata


Life is so not chill for me right now but I'm going to listen to this and pretend like it is. Nigerian juju soup for the soul.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

 


J.A. Adofo & City Boys International Amsterdam (29)

Side A
Twe No Bere Me
Esi Wa Noaa
Mofa Enye Me

Side B
Aba No Saa
Afutuo Nsakera Nipa
Ma Me Wuo

Um, yeah, so there are a lot of these tapes in my collection....

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

 

Amadou Sangare dit Barry l'Histoire de Moussa Tchefari Pere de Sabally

Side A
l'Histoire de Moussa Tchefari Pere de Sabally

Side B
l'Histoire de Moussa Tchefari Pere de Sabally

Have patience with this, I think it's worth it. Without understanding a bit of Bambara (or whatever that is) I enjoy the phrasing and rhythm of his words of praise for Mr Tchefari. Look out for some incredibly sensitive (kamal?) ngoni playing, it sounds blues-y at times but I can't do Sangare's improvisational skills any justice here. The ngoni is said to be an ancestor of the banjo. Go figure. (link via rupture, but to be fair at least two professors told me something similar in college so this is like a real-life link/shout-out to the fine folks at Indiana University's folklore and ethnomusicology department... yeah, i just linked to my university.)

More music like this here and here, as well as elsewhere on the blog. You probably get the point.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

 

J.A. Adofo & City Boys Adeasa

Side A
Enfa Odo Ndi Agoro
Adeasa
Ahoofe Di Wo Ko

Side B
Eka Pae Abusua
Ahenepa Enkasa
Bre Pe Wo De

More J.A. Adofo. The music on this tape sounds nothing like whatever they are doing on the cover, i.e. not much actual guitar- and percussion-playing. Instead we have synth-y sounds galore.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

 


Yacouba Kante Le Messenger Du Manding

Side A
Sadjou
Mamou Cissi
Beye Ekoumankey
Haidara

Side B
Djandjo (Manding N'Domba)
Djedeta Mangni
Salimana Diaby
Blaky

The marriage of electronic sounds and the griot tradition. Le Messenger Du Manding aka Yacouba Kante, a griot from Guinea, has made my morning.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

 


Bill Diakhou Tani

Face A
Tani
Roboual
Djiguen
Pompiers

Face B
Prési
Kole
Gorgui
Take It Easy

Senegalese hip-hop BANGERS. Well, at least tracks 1, 2 and 6. Anyone who raps that hardcore over a kora and an 808 gets high marks in my book (see track 5). I appreciate the English-language hook on track 2, sung by someone with a lump in their throat or a taste for Antony (of Antony and the Johnsons). And track 7 is just plain smoove.

For more music from the youth of Dakar, check out the excellent compilations from Nomadic Wax. If you are obsessed with Africa's oldest and most internationally-established rap movement and/or are a teenager from Senegal, check out the underground universe of Senegalese rap blogs on Skyrock (French Myspace). Social networking works.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

 

Obuoba J.A. Adofo & City Boys International Medo Wiase

Side 1
Medo Wiase
Abrebrese

Side 2
Odomo Ayikoo
Onyunu Adwo

J.A. Adofo's City Boys was one of Ghana's great late-period highlife bands. This is a tape from the 80s (I think). Much of the music you hear around town—riding public transit (these over-stuffed trucks and vans called trotros), blasting from radios in shops—sounds like this. Perhaps an acquired taste. I like how J.A. Adofo (aka "The Black Chinese of Ghana") and his band draw from non-Ghanaian influences like reggae and soul. Stretching the boundaries of highlife during 80s helped set the stage for the hiplife explosion of the mid-90s. Thank you City Boys.

This band was so impossibly prolific, I could post a different City Boys tape each week for the next six months and we'd probably still be able to dig up a few more.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

 

Pacotille Taxi Bu Rouss

Face A
Taxi Bu Rouss
Guent Gui
Ninini
Tidjane Hann
Natou

Face B
Niani Baniatul
Guinar
Dine ak Diamono
Polio

Rap from Senegal. Admittedly not the most amazing example but it feels somewhat representative of this vast and important scene in African hip-hop (which I have all but ignored until now. My bad).

Saturday, July 26, 2008

 

Djaly Ibrahima Seck & Fatou Mbaye Diop Mbery

Face A
Noreyni
Nianinko
Mbery

Face B
Kay Waye
Yayou Diaga
Mon Parent

Husband + wife + drums = luminous lovers. This recording is adorable, just adorable.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

 


Fatou Barry Linsan

Face A
Nabhorèlan
Assalam Alaïkoum
Danko Dewimà
Rocky N'Doye

Face B
Moura Bounga
Mamou
Marela
Djangoubhèmen

Who'd have thought you needn't go all the way to the jungle highlands of central Guinea to find the rollicking sounds of Fula singer Fatou Linsan Barry? This energetic tape appeared before me in the back of a nondescript rasta shop in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, where else?

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

 


Moussa Ngom et le Group Talibey Bajen Yandeh (Ngom)

Side A
Soralima
Bajen Yandeh (Ngom)
Borokabou

Side B
Gaindé Yi
Rasoul
Abibatou

This is from Senegal... I don't know much about it (found at the local african drum shop). Mbalax is so hugely popular in Dakar and waay beyond it at least deserves more attention than the zero tapes I've shared thus far. I like this particular example, it's a little more distinctive than your average electrified praise-y pop jams. But, again, I not the expert here. Youssou N'Dour's early recordings might be a good place to start.

Monday, June 16, 2008

 

David Kibe Jangwa Kubwa

Side 1
Jangwa Kubwa
Mtoka Kwa Mawingo
Namibia

Side 2
Usiniambie Unaenda
Mama Yuwapi
Kaka Saidi

Here's to peace and order in Kenya (and Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, DRC, etc...).

You might not want to download side two, the cassette sounds kind of fucked.

This tape was delivered to us by Josh K in DC.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

 

Umaru Sanda Dariya Da Makiya

Side A
Sarakua Nua
Dariya Da Makiya
Yadda Da Allah

Side B
Zagin Diyan Wasu
Kiyayyan Banza
Manafuka

I know I have talked about this tape elsewhere. It's as groovy as it is left-field. Summer party jams for those in the know. In the end my favorite shit is always the weirdest shit.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

 

Snr Eddie Donkor Eye Banker

Side A
Eye Banker
Kwaku Anase
Ka Na Wu

Side B
Asem Yi
Emmaabeku Mmarima
Jeje Kule

Perfect Ghanaian highlife from a legendary guitarist-bandleader. This is the best highlife album in my life right now. Synths and brotherly advice about money, women and gossip. Exactly.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

 

Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz Sweet Mother

Side A
Sweet Mother
Wayo Inlaw
Peace Movement Social Club of NigeriaIkenga Super Stars of Africa

Side B
Aki Special
Christiana
Shakara School GirlsIkenga Super Stars of Africa
Olu Ugbo (Operation feed The Nation)Ikenga Super Stars of Africa

These songs are classics, if you don't have them already... Plus, the tape includes Ikenga filler. Sublime stuff all of it. Nigerian music from the 70s is so HOT right now.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

 


Amadou Sangare dit Bari Histoire de Sabali

Face A
Histoire de Sabali 1

Face B
Histoire de Sabali 2


An oral history recording by a well-known griot from Mali. Simple musical phrases repeated for forever or so. Plucked and muted kamalngoni kora, spare melody, zero harmony. And the haunted-echo storytelling/non-singing from start to finish... Patient/attentive listening required. There's much to hear in between the notes, etc.

PS: Go see this spooky-sounding/looking "desert blues" group from Niger called Etran Finatawa if you can. They made an impressive New York City debut on Friday and are touring the US/Europe through November.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

 

Mahmoud Guinia

Side 1
Track 1
Track 2

Side 2
Track 3
Track 4

This is the most magnificent and recommended tape I have heard in a while... enjoy this gnawa music from Morocco's Mahmoud Guinia. Google around (also under "Gania", a commonly-used spelling of his name) and you will see Guinia has collaborated with people like Hamid Drake (awesome) and Bill Laswell (interesting but less awesome). Not bad for a guy who also makes some of the illest spiritual/stoner music ever on hometown releases like this.

Thanks to Landon P for the tape!

Saturday, April 05, 2008

 

Allan Family Ke Ofee Nɔ Nŋ Afeee

Side A
Gome
Ɔgɛ

Side B
Kpanlogo
New Creation

The Allan Family Culture Troupe plays Ga traditional music. They have been recording four-joint albums like this for years, this is only one I could find in my collection today. The Ga people live in Accra, Ghana, where their once-dominant language has been over-run by the influx of Ghanaians from other parts of the country. Not as many people need to speak Ga in Accra these days. I found the Ga language incredibly challenging, and more recently have had that notion reinforced by its baffling wikipedia entry. My goodness.

In any case, this tape is really good. These are the rhythms upon which the dzama (or jama) style of hiplife is based. But even without the now ubiquitous presence of these patterns in Ghanaian pop I would hasten to say this music is some of the most vital traditional music in Ghana. Pep bands even rock these jams in the stands at pro soccer matches. Everyone gets pumped.

Cheers to my friend Aaron of Denver/Berlin who introduced me to the Allan Family long before I ever thought of visiting Ghana.

Friday, March 14, 2008

 

Ibrahim Hamma Dicko

Face A
Mariana
Alfaro
Achagal

Face B
Hamidou
Mahanonga Koy
Andourinia

Go get some more music by Ibrahim Hamma Dicko.

Thanks to Landon P for this one.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

 

Manou Fofana Ko-Te-Ban

Face A
Média Dani
L Pâh
Wola Dingné
Baden Gna
Koukouh

Face B
Tougnègnè
Djagha
N'gowilo
Walôh
Mo Kanignôh

This is a tape by a Toma artist from the forest region of Guinea. I'm told Manou Fofana is not very well-known in Conakry, Guinea's capital, but she's all over the radio in Macenta, southeastern Guinea. My friend Simon (of the much-revered Slow Music from Africa mixtape) brought this one back from there. Thanks for sharing this laid-back set of sublime (and dance-able) tunes. I really like tracks like "Walôh," which are apparently based on traditional ceremonial music from the forest.

Some of this tape sounds like modern urban music, other parts feel more traditional. All of it is chill.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

 

Abdou Salam et les tendistes Bayun Maata

Side One
Dunia Labari
David Ko
Halima
Mu Maza

Side Two
Kukan Gobro
Assalatu
Bayun Maata

The CIA's World Factbook describes the geography of Niger as "landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture." Sounds like an intense place. I'm just kind of obsessed with music from this desert-y region. Sadly, this is one of the only tapes I have from Niger.

According to the Voice of America's African music blog (which I can't help but note looks a lot like mine at times), Abdou Salam is quite popular over there. Glad to know since this tape does everything right: nimble vocals, insistent Toureg drums, steadfast repetitions. Recipe for happiness.

I know the bass on side two wasn't recorded to sound that crunchy and distorted, but I happen to like it.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

 

Ebenezer Obey The Horse The Man And His Son?

Side One
Ko Sogbon To Le Da
Baba Oni Ketekete
Ile Aiye Fun Igba Die Ni

Side Two
Eni Ri Nkan He
Agba Ilu Mo Juba
Eso Pele
Ere Ni Tiwa
Tani Ngo Ro Temi Fun
Igba Nba Jo

Ebenezer Obey is one the masters of Nigerian juju music. He made so many records. I just happen to have this one on cassette, and it just kills. If I don't get lost in the Yoruba language vocals, the secret discourse between guitar and drums makes me dance. You know: that really mellow kind of dance that rich people did at socialites' parties in 1970s Lagos? Yeah, you know the one.

Friday, February 15, 2008

 
Awesome Tapes from Africa in the FADER

Look out for the new Africa issue of best music/arts/fashion magazine ever the FADER, which you can download and read for free. So many great stories in there including, a piece on hiplife in Ghana and an article by Jace Clayton aka DJ /rupture.



Sunday, February 03, 2008

 


Amharic speakers help us out...?

Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6

Side B
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5

This is a guest post from a guy named Scott Kiehl:

Ethiopian Amharic speakers help us out. Please. Who is this? I've no
idea, but it's definitely some kicking funk inna Ethio style, most
likely from the 70s (is that the Ethiopian calendar, where it's the year is now 2000, or "ours"?) and probably a compilation from some old vinyl
45s. Fans of the Ethiopiques series will surely enjoy.

One of the many highlights in a recent trip to Ethiopia was cassette shopping—especially from the guys selling them from street stalls, where they'd
give you the chance to "test" them. 13 Months of Sunshine indeed!
Plenty more where this came from. Thanks to thursdayborn for the guest
slot.


Monday, January 14, 2008

 

Ouedraogo Issaka dit Zougna Zaguemda
Ouedraogo Issaka En Concert A La Maison Du Peuple


Side One
B'Waa
Tond
Yiinga

Side Two
Tiengui
Bayir
Yelle

Magnificently bare bones traditional music from Burkina Faso. I tip my hat to Issaka and his cash-laden attire.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

 


NPP Yebo Ho Biom

Side 1
Yebo Ho Biom
Dwewohoe
To Aba Pa

Side 2
Asodwie
Yebo Ho Biom (Inst.)
Asomdwie (Acapella)

Oh no it's election time in America. Hillary asked her pals to vote for her campaign song earlier this year to amusing effect. Back in 2004, John A. Kufuor's presidential re-election campaign in Ghana was bolstered(?) by this tape—with or without the express approval of the "gentle giant" himself (the cover misspells the man's name).

Praise-laden sloganeering via song and rap here. Buried in the cassette notes it says vocals by Oheneba E.K. Nana Tufour Jnr. When in Ghana vote with thumb and ink (see tape cover).

Saturday, December 29, 2007

 

Tiken Jah Fakoly Françafrique

Face A
Françafrique
Missiri (featuring U-Roy)
Balayeur Balaye
Soungourouba
Africa
On A Tout Compris (featuring Anthony B)

Face B
Nazara
Charnier
Houphouet Reveillies-toi
Justice
A Wouli
Y'en A Marre

Best African reggae right now. (RIP, Lucky Dube.)

Purchase this album for real. The CD has a slightly different tracklisting.

The New York Times recently reported the Mali-based, Ivory Coast-born musician-agitator was barred from entering Senegal after talking shit about its president. Nice.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

 


Kumasi Bantama Christ Revival Singers Wo Pe Nye Ho

Side One
Wo Pe Nye Ho
Meka Masem Akyere No
Su Gu Meso
Me Nyame Kae Me
Bisa Me Ho
Hye Den Na Mensuro

Side Two
Mewo Anidaso
Wone Nyame Nam Mensuro
Na Aden Ni Komm Yi, San Behwe Wo Mma
Agya Bedi Manim

This one's for the holiday coming up. Xmas in Hawaii, by way of Kumasi, Ghana. Bantama is the neighborhood in Kumasi where I saw a street performer eat glass and make a newspaper filled with wine disappear. That was kind of spiritual. Hawaiian guitar here kills it. Womb-y bass and angelic chorus make for an all around soothing holiday gait. Just imagine that crackliness is coming from the fireplace not the old vinyl from which this tape was sourced.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

 

Dr. Orlando Owoh & His Omimah Band

Side One
Ero Ki Yeye Mi
Omiye Lala
Osupa Roro

Side Two
Iyawo Olele
Omo Ni Ye
Mo Baju Wo Oju Orun/Irawo Mi Ko Ni Ku

Orlando Owoh is a pretty big deal. Nigerian highlife is a pretty big deal. This tape enjoys that floaty highlife levitation thing but stays grounded with its ill battery of talking drums, etc. Juju refugees gone wild. Wayward highlife guitar meanderings jut out in the mix. It's all good. Watch out for calculated drum breaks toward the end of "Omiye Lala" and "Iyawo Olele."

This music on this tape was originally released in 1975, according to the meticulous Toshiya Endo.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

 

Amagnon Koumagnon Musique Traditionnelle Du Benin

Face A
Aya Obakiwe Lodo

Face B
Gbessou


Sublime polyrhythms and snappy vernacular for the year's first snowy Sunday.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

 

Mariam Bagayogo Vol. 2

Side A
Miniyan Ye Koloni Mme
Anytie Tjilalou
Kodialani

Side B
Bara Et Golo
Yayoye
Massafing

Um, yeah. This is scary. The other-worldly pentatonic balafon and its apocalyptic overtones repeat toward infinity, and I can't help but think of Reich's marimba ostinatos and Partch's microtones here. This is so good. And don't get me started on those vibrato-free vocals, hand claps and clickety-clacks, which make this echo-y doom-scape seem all too real.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

 

Wakimbizi Raha

Side 1
Intro
Hallo Hallo (Radio Edit)
John
Raha
Nishike Pole Pole
Kwa Nini

Side 2
Wajidanganya
Baby Baby
Mika Kumi
Track 10
Track 11
Hallo Hallo (Latin Mix)
Track 13

This cassette from Kenya has three mysterious BONUS tracks on side 2, and it's missing two of the Hallo Hallo mixes. If you buy it you can hear the non-bootleg version with all the correct songs. As for me, I'm completely ok with the bootlegger having included the brilliant Track 11.

Wakimbizi is a really big deal in Kenya: check out their bio (if you can read around their company's enormous logo, you'll see what I mean).

Saturday, November 03, 2007

 


Moolobali Traore Moolobali Traore

Side A

Samadona
Joulaou
Bakilou
Fezin

Side B
Labankassi
Delimagni
Djagneba

A good friend let me borrow some tapes. This is my favorite of the bunch so far. From Mali. This is all very amateur-sounding in a way (rough guitar, rough production quality), but we love it all the same.

The song "Labankassi" appears on this Karamoko Keita tape as well, which will be posted in its entirety shortly. Not sure which version came first or if it's a traditional tune or what. If you know, feel free to clue us in.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

 


Ata Kak Obaa Sima

Side A
Obaa Sima
Moma Yendodo
Adagya
Medofo

Side B
Daa Nyinaa
Yemmpa Aba
Bome Nnwom

By popular demand, here it is. These are mostly love songs, by the way (as if you couldn't tell).

Sunday, October 14, 2007

 

Esther Smith Gye No Di

Side A
Yesu Kristo Asore*
Adze Ko*
Ma Wo Nsa So
Gye No*

Side B
Gye No Di (Sharp One)
Befa W'asem Siesie Me
Agidifour Ataban*
Gye No Di*

*choice cuts

It was only a matter of time before we delved into the most important force in the Ghanaian music industry: gospel music. The scene is just too big to ignore. In Ghana, gospel music comes in all shapes and sizes, from the local church's traditional drum and vocals recordings (see prior post) to reggae-and-hiplife-infused blockbusters, like Esther Smith's Gye No Di, which are mass produced and aggressively marketed via radio, tv, internet and trucks-covered-in-posters-and-bullhorns-blasting-the-record campaigns.

There could not have been a bigger album than Gye No Di during my first visit to Ghana in 2002. Pretty much every song on the tape was a hit, played literally tens of times a day by gospel and mainstream radio stations nationwide. I recall waking up each morning to my home-stay sister Nana Akua blasting track 4 on repeat, from like 6am until she left the house an hour or two later. I hated it at first but it now confirms for me the sublime and hidden genius behind many of the commercial gospel productions in Ghana's top 40 music realm.

Love to hear such sick bass and dreamy keyboard tones amongst all this inspiring talk of faith in Jesus. Acapella breakdowns and sheeny soloist wails from what sounds like it must be a keytar enhance some of the strongest tracks, marked by an asterisk above. This record is just the tip of an enormous iceberg of pop-laden spiritual music that sells more than hiplife and highlife combined in some cases.

Oh and while you're at it, you should probably check out this Esther Smith music video, it's kind of amazing.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

 



Awesome Tapes from Africa visits DJ /rupture

DJ /rupture has so kindly invited me to co-host his WFMU radio show, Mudd Up! this Wednesday October 17 at 7pm EST. It'll be an hour of awesome tapes from africa and a bit of discussion. I'll be playing lots of music which has yet to make it on the blog, along with some catalog favorites.

Update
Here's the playlist from that show:

artist song album country

Wakimbizi “Mika Kumi” Raha Kenya
Reggie Rockstone “Keep Your Eyes on the Road” Me Na Me Kae Ghana
Volcan “C Urgent” Vrai 2 Vrai Burkina Faso
Kontihene “Asesa” Nyankonton Ghana
Tic Tac “Philomena” Philomena Ghana
Tuba Clan “Jama” Dakoli Ghana
Nahawa Doumbia “Djankonia” Best of Nahawa Doumbia Mali
Masekela introducing Hedzoleh Soundz “Kaa Ye Ota” Rekpete South Africa/Ghana
Ensemble Traditional National du Mali “Aw Bissimlai” Musolu Mali
Prince Okla “Paa Dede” 2001 Dagbani Mega Mix 1 Ghana
Abu Sadic “Anti Bon Shei” Na Ni Goo Ghana
Awa Poulo “Abs” Awa Poulo Mali
Kouyate Sory Kandia “N’na” Kouyate Sory Kandia Guinea

See rupture's blog mudd up!, one of the most thoughtful and informative sites I've seen. Big ups.


Listen to Mudd Up! with DJ /rupture


Also, read his fantastic essay on Muslimgauze in Bidoun magazine.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

 

Boubacar Traore

Face A
Mariama
Benidigmamogo
Mantjini
Diarabi

Face B
Kele
Kayes-Ba
Khobe Natouma
Pierrette

This might just be the best of all the awesome tapes from Africa I've heard thus far.

The film about Mali's Boubacar Traore, I'll Sing For You, is incredibly beautiful, as are these and other Boubacar Traore recordings. Go see him perform live if you can.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

 

Souley Kanté Bi Magni

Side A
Bi Magni
Sirakadjan
Fanga
Diamanadia

Side B
Kumadugu
Numuw
Suw Teni Be
Djiguissaw

These are jams by which to live. Especially tracks 1, 4, and 5.

PS—While you're checking these songs out go ahead and buy yourself that Souley Kanté ringtone you've always wanted, now only 250 CFA francs. So what if these interpretations don't sound exactly like the original? You will surely receive due props from those in the know.

Monday, September 24, 2007

 
Look out for the new issue of Tokion Magazine



There's an article about awesome tapes from africa in there:



Saturday, September 22, 2007

 

Who is this? What's this record called?

Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3

Side B
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6

Arabic-reading friends, can you help us identify this tape? Thanks again to Haab for these sick cassettes from Egypt. (see also: here and here)

Lovers of circus-y melodic maneuvers go directly to Track 6. My girlfriend asked if I was listening to Arabian Fiddler on the Roof. Sounds like fancy party music to me. The dueling male and female vocal choruses on Track 2 are worth checking out, as is the general virtuosity of the instrumental accompaniment throughout.

Monday, September 17, 2007

 


Kante Manfila Diniya

Side 1
Diniya
Gelena
Denko
Alikanala

Side 2
N'Tesse
Moh Kan
Coh Coco
Jere Lon

Been wanting to post this for ages. I love these often epic masterpieces of Mandinka electric funk. It reminds of Steve Coleman records from the eighties (in a good way). Although Manfila is slightly less well known than some of his peers (Mory Kante, Salif Keita, etc), a couple of these songs are surely classics to someone somewhere. Dude can fucking sing.

I feel like most late-night bus rides through the Malian bush (for me at least) have notably featured tapes like this blasting through the less-than-roadworthy vehicle's tinny speakers. When the bus breaks down for the third time in as many hours in the middle of nowhere, you may still get to enjoy the jams if the driver's mate has a ghettoblaster.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

 

Alhassan Ibrahim (Zilindoo Lunsi-Naa) Naa Mahama-Kpema

Side A

Zuu Mahamu Akonsi
Tugulana Iddi
Kari-Naa Bukari
Naa Mahama-Kpema
Bukari Kantanparim

Side B

Kari-Naa Alhassan
Oun Be-Nkpang
Naa Mahama-Bia
Naa Omariga
Naa Yakubu

This is praise music from Northern Ghana. Alhassan Ibrahim is apparently a hereditary master drummer-historian, something of a griot among the Dagomba. Each track is a song dedicated to various local bigwigs, many of whom are chiefs (as evidenced by the prefix naa in their names).

Be sure to check the second side. This is repetitive-sounding music but side b has some pretty riotous moments.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
An Ata Kak music video for freaks, by freaks



Clearly based on one of the most bizarre (and best) awesome tapes from africa, the now (in)famous Ata Kak cassette, this video is completely fucked. I never post youtube links, but this one is just too much for me.

Oh, and this too:


Wednesday, August 29, 2007

 


WFMU's Listener Hour this Saturday at 9am EST will be hosted by Awesome Tapes From Africa

Easily the best thing Jersey has going for it these days, this is WFMU. Freeform and listener-supported. That's the deal.

Find the playlist below and the archive here.


Playlist

Souley Kante "Bi Magni" Bi Magni
M.S. Hoza Mdumange Ngoma "Karibuni Tanga" Mount Usambara Voice
Ami Koïta "Hadja Bila" Mory Djo
Obrafour "Pae Mu Ka" Pae Mu Ka
Tuba Clan "Jama" Dakoli
Karamoko Keita "Lemourou" Karamoko Keita
Seck, Dianka, Dandi "Nagana" Sounké Vol. 1
Nahawa Doumbia "Djankonia" Best of Nahawa Doumbia
Boubacar Traore "Kayes" Boubacar Traore
Sirina Issah "Cheer the Stars" Cheer the Stars
Armaan "Ramba Ho" Indian Disco [compilation from Bamako]
Ata Kak "Bome Nnwom" Obaa Sima
B.F.G.s "Kpan Kpa" Malzani
Charles Yamoah "Onipa Ho Ye Hu" Best of Yamoah's Band Vol. 2

Saturday, August 25, 2007

 



Daouda Dembele El Hadji Sekou Oumar Vol. 2

Side 1
Side 2

Some more of the incredible Malian griot Daouda Dembele. A man, his n'goni and a story.

See my earlier Daouda Dembele post. That's where you'll find vol 1.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

 


Bainito Muyanda Kifo Cha Wamalwa

Side A
Kifo cha Wamalwa Kijana
Kibaji
Walia Inyanya
Gari Mademo Shina
Vandu vandi vatevananga za Fred

Side B
Ndali Ndataga Inzaga
Kusagare Embenzi
Ugimire Rigembe
Agaromba Wafa
Ndali ni Nzikaye Igisambai
Nang'weye Khunzaga

This stuff all kind of sounds the same to me. I just like ultra-minimal stick-hitting-wood percussion on each song. I know nothing about Kenyan music. This is another tape that was given to me by my friend Josh.

I'm guessing the title of the album and the first song refer to this guy.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

 

La grande Vedette Malienne Kandja Kouyaté et l'Ensemble Instrumental du Mali

Side A
Yolele
Guede

Side B
Mayouba
Sarddiga

This cassette is perfect in almost every way. It makes me want to drop acid and burn incense or something, it's so smokey and dark and surreal. Like late Coltrane.

The distortion here and there on the second side is the bummer (it's the recording and/or tape, not computer fuzz).

Saturday, August 04, 2007

 





Black Shaolin Monkz Mama Africa

Side A
Intro — St. Quran feat. Thyra
Mama Africa
Monk Funk Classic *
Evil Enemy feat. Project Monkz
Blind Fathers
Classic Instrumentals *

Side B
Balakla feat. Kikuyu *
Acadelma
Dilaila
Slam feat. Samy T Lazy *

*don't miss


This group represents the best and truest English language rap in Ghana. Coolest dudes ever. The Black Monkz have so much respect and admiration for Wu Tang they held a Ghanaian-style funeral for ODB when he passed away. Black Monkz producer and leader Alpha showed me a video of that shit. It was so real.

Black Monkz in their own words

Buy some shit, will ya?

Black Monkz on myspace

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

 

Mah Damba

Face A
Pory
Sosoly
Diadia Kono

Face B
Danama
Nadlanka Fala
Nantan

I just like this one a lot. Mah Damba is a pretty well known singer from Mali, but the real exciting thing here for me is the highly virtousic n'goni playing throughout. The n'goni is known by a number of names in West Africa, depending on the location and/or ethnicity of the person playing it.

There is this guy in Ghana named King Ayisoba whose skills on the koloko (as the instrument is known in Northern Ghana, a Frafra name), creative flexibility and moral character I will emphatically swear by.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

 

Simon's Slow Music from Africa mixtape

My friend Simon has a pretty impressive collection of vinyl from Africa, well, actually from all over. But he seems to be growing his African selection a lot lately. He sent me this mixtape the other day and I wanted to share it with you people. Dude is on his way to Guinea to make a film about children and music drawing peace pictures. If this very concept strikes your fancy, as it does mine, you should write to Simon and tell him "good luck/you're mad" at drawingpeace at gmail dot com.

Download this mix of obscure West African music here.

Above is a photo of the records on the mixtape, which Simon provided in the interest of "blog continuity." What a chill guy that Simon is...

Tracklist:

Paulson Kalu - Dick Tiger A Naa (Nigeria)
Rex Lawson - Osuala Oru Enene (Nigeria)
Yamoah's Band - Saman Me (Ghana)
African Brothers Dance Band - Mmobrowa (Ghana)
Black Dragons - Emalon Ni Hokowo (Benin)
Sorry Bamba - M'makono 'Attends-Moi' (Mali)
Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée - J.R.D.A. (Guinea)
Star Number One - Waalo (Senegal)
Number One du Senegal - Mory (Senegal)
Orchestre Rail Band de Bamako - Koro Koni (Mali)
Camayenne Sofa - Wayalangaï (Guinea)
F. Kenya - Ewule Adoma Kuma (Ghana)
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou - Nous Avons Gagne (Benin)
Achille Johnny - Mede Woui (Benin)
Demba Camara et son Groupe - Exhumation Folklorique (Guinea)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

 


Please Help Me Name Identify This Tape
Sayed Makawi Album Title??

Side 1
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3

Side 2
Track 4*
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7

*holy shit

Um. This tape is sick. Some serious drum machine-fueled jams on the second side. The first side is unremarkable, it's only here for the completists.

I wish I could read Arabic. Can anyone please tell me the name of this artist and perhaps even the album and song titles?

Note: Props to Haab, the person who gave me the tape. He helped us identify dude. How do you like that?

Saturday, July 07, 2007

 

Atsiavi Jena Group Blewusi Mele

A
Blewusi Mele
Xle Fu Nam
Amedahe Meka Hatse
Fia Made Ava Kpo Wodo Fe Nam

B
Nyela Tsyoevi Menye
Ameyibo Nye Name
Xegbee Xela Dona
Tro Deka Mewo

Some of my best friends in Ghana are from Atsiavi in Volta Region. I never went there for a visit for I thought I heard enough about it. Atsiavi is a place both whispered and hollered about by my friends who call it their hometown. There was always something mysterious about the palce to me for some reason. Then I found this tape in a lorry park near the center of Accra. It's apparently culture music from my friends' village, perhaps shedding light on the place itself, I thought at first. But don't let this lead you to assume the musical interests of Atsiavians lie solely within the bounds of calabash shakers, two-tone bells and a handful of drums. Make no mistake—the Atsiavi guys I know are obsessed with Buju Banton and R. Kelly.

Friday, June 29, 2007

 


Yoro Diallo dit Tiekro Bani (Vol 1)

Face A
Walaï Solomani
Djombè Ne Gnèsigui
Saya Tè Djon Tô

Face B
Kobê Wati Yé
Bê Manken
Môgô Lou

Go buy this new thing from the new world music arm of Drag City, Yaala Yaala Records: Pekos / Yoro Diallo. They also just released another CD of music by an artist who has been featured here at awesome tapes from africa, Daouda Dembele. (read: my Daouda Dembele post)

This is a tape from Mali that I bought from my favorite exotic music shop in Accra, Ghana. Apparently Malian expats in Ghana dig them some griot-style vocals with that sick metal scraper in every song, complete with electronic sounds. Life is good.

Friday, June 22, 2007

 

Faiza Ahmed Allemetny El Donia

Side A

Side B

When I moved to DC after college I knew just one person. That dude had a roommate who became my second friend in DC, Dan. He went to Egypt for work and came back with some tapes. This is one of them.

We often used to eat at this incredible restaurant near their apartment called El Khartoum (a Sudanese spot I presume). The music they played in there sounded roughly like this.

Scariest album cover I've ever seen + dramatic, meslimatic female vocals + sweeping violins = totally sweet.

Many thanks to Dan Haab for this one....

Sunday, June 17, 2007

 

King Suny Adé and his African Beats Aura

Side One
Ase (featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica)
Gboromiro
Ogunja

Side Two
Oremi (featuring Tony Allen and Phil Ramocon)
Ire
Iro

While I did not purchase this tape in Africa, it is certainly one of the most awesome tapes from Africa. King Sunny Adé, along with Fela Kuti, was a central player in bringing African pop music to the world. Is a major international release a strange choice for my usual showcase of rarities/oddities? This record combines the new and novel studio technologies (for 1983-84), like drum machines and synths, with traditional talking drums and good ol' electric guitars, resulting in brilliant Paradise-Garage-if-it-had-a-Nigerian-branch funkiness.

So many styles of African music have been enhanced by electronic instuments over the years, but few have risen to such sublime heights. I mean, juju music (of which Adé is considered one of the key pillars) gets pretty repetative. I say if you've heard six juju records, you've heard them all. Aura, then, distinctly stands out. Fans of electro, techno and the like will find this cassette particuarly fascinating.

While not a commercial smash, Aura is one of my all time favorite recordings from Nigeria. Buy this record somewhere. I found a clean copy on vinyl in Denver the other day for $3.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

 


Alhaji K. Frimpong Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu

A
Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu
Mensu
Yaw Barima
Susu Ne Wonka

B
Baabi Obi Awuo
Afei Nkyere Ba
Obi Nim
Koforidua Nsuo

I was introduced to this tape by a certain Aaron K. Snyder, of the band The Assdroids. I later went to Ghana and bought myself a copy. There have been tracks from this album posted here in the past, but I am finally throwing up the complete recording. There are many Alhaji K. Frimpong CDs available commercially. Please buy them.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

 


Super Mazembe Kasongo/Ouma

B
Pepeye
Pepeye (Reprise)
Prekete
Prekete (Reprise)
Ilena
Ilena (Reprise)
Shauri Yako

Spooky guitar reverb, darkly romantic harmony and all around bizarro production make the song "Ilena" (along with its second patmy favorite here. The opening to "Pepeye" makes me feel like Side B comes in particularly stark contrast with Side A. The first side is a party; the second side make time for more creative introspection via challenging arrangements and such. I'm reading way too deeply into this...

Saturday, May 26, 2007

 


Super Mazembe Kasongo/Ouma

A
Kasongo
Nanga
Ouma
Rosy
????

I don't have anything to say about this. Congolese music found in Kenya by my friend Joshua. I will post side B next week. That one is actually much more wild than this.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

 

13 Recordz présente Vrai 2 Vrai (1-2ground Prophecy)

B
Wax Tond B.K
Kidam G Vu/Interlude
La Korektion Assez
Vagabond Squad Laroute
Wem-Tang-Clan Lapreuve*
Fleck-C L Mec 2 Bloc
Zone 1 featuring Aramiss Born To Do It
Acee featuring Anie Ghetto Luv Remix
Fleche Feno featuring Sikira & Aramiss Ach7 La/Outro

* Don't miss this track


Here is Side B of Vrai 2 Vrai. Take note of the beat on the last track, the phrasing of the sweet vocal sample feels so right. Unfortunately, the rest of the song is not particularly interesting (to me). That Wem-Tang-Clan track, however, is a certified banger.

Next week: more from Kenya

Saturday, May 12, 2007

 

13 Recordz présente Vrai 2 Vrai (1-2ground Prophecy)

A
Intro
Acee Ghetto Luv
Volcan C Urgent
Eddy featuring Serge B Woto (Zoasongo)
King Ade featuring El Primo Vas Leur Dire
SQN 1-10pensable
Shaaka featuring Malto Faya Pump
Aramiss featuring El Primo Vrai 2 Vrai
Ravayak featuring Golgo13 Laru


This is a hip-hop compilation from Burkina Faso. Looks like a label mixtape. It contains many bangers. The implications of a tape like this to someone who likes rap are mind-boggling. How many people even know where Burkina Faso is?? And these kids are rappig in French, English and local languages like this? And this is from back in 2004? Imagine what their shit sounds like now. Maybe globalization ain't all that bad....

Saturday, May 05, 2007

 

Oriango & Kipchamba

Pelina
Chemosi
Bane Matanda
Sukuli Ab Musoknotet*
Wuiyee My Lover*


*w/ the amazing spoken intro

By popular demand, "Face 2" of the Charles A. Chepkwony Magtalena cassette. The second side is labelled Oriango & Kipchamba. Anyone know who/what that is? Whatever it is, I like this Kenyan guitar band split.

One of the musical themes from Face 1 seems to get reprised in the third track of this side (Bane Matanda), making me wonder if both sides are not the same band?? Maybe just another ones of those random tape programming oddities??? Mysterious.

Monday, April 23, 2007

 


Yahaya Alhaji Zakari and his Awaye Group Vol. 4 Abin Dunia

Side A
Abin Dunia
Saamun Woni
????
Munriga Mungane


Side B
Muuni Yaaran Super
Seidi Alama
Kubarr Haasada
Ganin Mohammadu

I like this guy's jacket. I also like this guy's squeaky voice, or perhaps that's the just the heat-and-dust warbled tape. The tape is a bootleg of another—its cover is a crooked photocopy and the recording just sounds distant. The distortion is particularly intense, in a good way I think. The mix here is fun too: the bass drum, which seems to lead the whole crew, is louder than pretty much everything else. It sounds like a bass-heavy system playing out of a shitty car, loose pieces vibrating each time the bass hits.

I bought this tape in Ghana on the main drag of a place in the capital called Nima. The neighborhood cassette stands in Nima are great because you can find music and movies from all over West Africa, especially Muslim regions. Nima has a higher population of Muslims than most other parts of Accra. The reason for this tangent is you can tell from this artist's name that he is Muslim. That's about all I know about this one.

N.B.: You might be wondering why the track order of the downloads is slightly different than the track list on the casette cover. Many of the most Awesome Tapes From Africa contain baffling errors on the cassette covers, labels, and/or recorded program. There's often a good amount of guesswork in deciphering these tapes...

Saturday, April 14, 2007

 


Charles A. Chepkwony Kolu Band Magtalena

Kilyano Ratanga
Yach Busurek
Magtalena
Bakach Chebaigeiyat Sikilai
Kas Imam O Pilista

Above is the first side of a casette from Kenya that my friend Joshua bought for me while he was there... thanks Josh!

This shit has lengthy breakdowns that sound to me like early house music—if it was done on twangy guitars, muffly bass and break-your-bones live drums in East Africa.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

 

Daouda Dembele El Hadji Sekou Oumar Vol. 1

Side 1
Side 2

A griot (or traditional West African storyteller) and his n'goni—which is said to be the African ancestor of the banjo. They weave an epic poem here, trotting along at a leisurely pace. I believe the language is Fulfulde... Anyone know? I enjoy the rhythmically minimal n'goni accompaniment Daouda Dembele provides for himself while he recounts the story of El Hadji Sekou Oumar. A little clackity-click of the finger with the darkly repetitive n'goni phrases goes a long way.

This tape is from Mali. There's a lot of music like this all over the Sahel from Senegal to Nigeria, and beyond. The n'goni is just one of the many instruments used by griots to accompany their stories and praises. Kora is the most internationally famous musical instrument used by some griots.

Friday, March 30, 2007

 

Prince Okla Nambogu

Dah'Ma



Sheriff Ghale Dang-Malgu
A Yi Ka So

Prince Okla and Sheriff Ghale are from Tamale, in northern Ghana. My friend Joshua and I were there and wanted to find local musicians. Our first day in town we met a kid named Rashid who said he'd help us find some people. Rashid took us to meet some guys who, according to him, were some of the key players in the Tamale music scene. We ended up at a barber shop that belonged to a Dagbani-language reggae singer named Shoeshine Boy. Rashid sent for other musicians. Prince Okla appeared with a couple friends. Soon we were a largish group, awkwardly talking about music in this tiny shack of a barber shop. Prince Okla mentioned Michael Jackson and Tupac. We later went to Sheriff Ghale's house and sat with him for a while. They were all extremely kind.

The first track here kind of reminds me of freestyle, only with a deep-voiced Dagomba dude singing instead of your favorite Miami princess. The second track is a good example of the local reggae Tamale folks seem to enjoy. The dissonance here is particularly enjoyable. This might be considered old school by the youngsters. Okla is part of the first wave of modern Tamale pop acts who began to emerge in the mid-90s and this recording is from maybe 2000. He is by no means the leader. I just like these two somewhat bizarre tracks.

A wall mural in Tamale

While I was most interested in the town's local rap movement, it is reggae that has put Tamale on the Ghanaian musical map. Sheriff Ghale—schoolteacher by day, Northern Ghana reggae luminary by night when I met him in 2002—won the Ghana Music Award for "Best Reggae Artiste" a couple years ago. Ever since then, folks way down south in the country's capital Accra have had reason to give Tamale's formerly invisible music scene a second look.

Friday, March 09, 2007

 


Awesome Tapes From Africa on East Village Radio

I will be guest DJing on Lexi's East Village Radio show How Urban Radio Saved My Life this Sunday. You'll hear some songs you know and others I have yet to post, plus a few African LPs thrown in for good measure.

EVR has a whole bunch of incredible podcasts that I download each week, like the aforementioned, The Let Out (The Fader's show), B-Sides and Nublu, and Fat Beats Radio.

Much respect and thanks to Lexi for inviting me... Listen to Lexi!

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

 
PLEASE NOTE:

I made a mistake and have the sides for the Khaira Arby cassette reversed in the two prior posts. That means the link to "Ya Rassoul" is actually the song "Ehe Sourgou," and vice versa. The link to "Tombouctou" is really "Sourgou," and so on. I'm going to try and switch them around to their correct places. In the meantime, now you know. My bad...

Sunday, February 25, 2007

 


Khaira Arby - Ya Rassoul

Ehe Sourgou
Sourgou
Lili Yore*
Boibini
Aigna

Here is the second side of Khaira Arby's Ya Rassoul. See why this so wonderful?

* I especially like this one.

Monday, February 19, 2007

 

Khaira Arby - Ya Rassoul

Ya Rassoul
Tombouctou
Amandiath
Sayidi
Koti-Koti

This is the best music I know of in the Sahel. Khaira Arby is enormously popular in Timbuktu, where you will hear this tape playing out of a ghetto blaster in a shop or the cassette deck of a car. This is not "world music," this is just plain old awesome music that straddles the linguistic and cultural divide of a place like Timbuktu. Arby sings in Tamashek and Sonrai languages, among others, appealing to two of the main groups living in Timbuktu, the Tuareg and Songhai.

Sorry to be out of the game for a while... perhaps this tape makes up for the wait? Seriously, this is one of my top three favorites. Period.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

 


Ali Farka Touré - "Baliky Lalo" and "La Drogue" and "Cheri"

RIP, Ali.

Ali Farka Touré was perhaps the most influential and widely celebrated African musician in history. He adapted his ancestral music to the 6-string guitar. The results are brilliant. I won't say much more, there's been more than enough written on Ali in the last while. I'm too lazy to link most of it here, but you can get a good start with NPR's tribute piece and Banning Eyre's Village Voice obit.

Side note: this tape reminds me of John Fahey, another enormously influential late folk/roots guitar hero.

Friday, June 09, 2006

 


Ata Kak - "Obaa Sima" "Moma Yendodo" "Yemmpa Aba" from Obaa Sima

A Ghanaian highlife singer gone horribly right, Ata Kak is a visionary. He spits serious rhymes, waxes romantic, and issues lo-fi digital quick-shrieks, listen specifically to the chorus of "Moma Yendodo."

I posted this tape earlier, but these songs are so ridiculously sweet, I invite you to listen (again). Here you've got the comeplete "Moma Yendodo" (the first time I posted it was not the entire track).

It sounds so home-made funky yet spooky, like a warped Prince protege from Africa by way of 1986 Chicago.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

 


Alhaji K. Frimpong - "Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu" from Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu

This song is essential. It was only a matter of time before I posted this song. "Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu" is unquestionably one of the most vital and funky of Ghanaian songs from the highlife era.

"Kyenkyen" was versioned for two major hiplife hits. Both rappers, Reggie Rockstone and Omanhene Pozoh, employed Frimpong's groove to drive their respective anthems, "Keep Your Eyes on the Road" and "Kyenkyen Bi Edi Me Ewu." The latter features a guest vocal performance by K. Frimpong (and a different spelling of the song title). Comparing the original and hiplife versions of "Kyenkyen" demonstrates the complex relationship between highlife and hipife today. The elder musicians often find themselves at odds with the younger ones coming up. Lyrically, stylistically, and commercially, the two camps have plenty to argue about.

K. Frimpong's original is an afro-funk classic that's been well-documented on recent UK and US compilations. In the years since it's release circa 2001, Omanhene Pozoh's rendition hasn't aged that well in commercial hiplife terms. But as for me, I'll take old school hiplife over most of the current stuff any time!

Highlife is no longer the music of the youth. Today's youth sounds more like "Kyenkyen Bi Edi Me Ewu", Omanhene Pozoh's hiplife version.



Well, actually, hiplife these days really sounds more like VIP's "Ahomka Womu."

For more on hiplife, stop by my other blog.

Monday, May 22, 2006

 

Seck, Dianka, Dandi Diarra - "Nagana" & "Hone Soida" from the album, Sounké Vol. 1

These two cuts rollick along with that complicated melismatic twang found in many parts of the Sahel.

"Nagana" pairs sublimely stuttered, kora-informed electric guitar phrases with an electro-tastic percussion effect set on autopilot throughout.

"Hone Soida" kicks it more straightforward, though by no means dull. Check out the iimplausibly-behind-the-beat flow of the backing rhythm and the vintage guitar tone.

This is Soul music.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

 


Boubacar Traore - "Pierrette"

This entire cassette is sick. Most of Boubacar Traore's work is often under-appreciated but so much more raw and expressive than many of the big name stars of West Africa.

If you have not checked some Boubacar cassettes (or CDs), get to it.

Friday, May 12, 2006

 


Masekela introducing Hedzoleh Soundz - "Adade" from the album Repkete

Hugh Masekela, the South African trumpter, did a record in Ghana with Accra afro-rock band Hedzoleh Soundz.

This music sounds deep. Hedzoleh Soundz were supposed to get big like Osibisa. They didn't. Nevertheless, we got this tape, a stoned trumpet masterpiece. Just listen.

I met Faisal Helwani, the man who produced Rekpete. He was involved in many other essential Ghanaian highlife, afro-rock, and afro-pop albums through the 60s, 70s and 80s. A sort of impresario back in the day, Helwani had brought Fela to Ghana for the first time. He promoted shows and organized tours in the region between Ghana and Nigeria.

Helwani had this sick nightclub in his house in the 70s called the Napoleon Club. Live shows featuring all kinds of bands, from traditional drum and dance groups to rockin' psych-highlife, often went all night at this backyard club three blocks from the sea.

Today the nightclub is no more and the pillared balconies of the once grand home are literally crumbling, the coconut palms dying.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

 


Yeleen & Pris'K - "La Marraine" from the casette single, Parlons d'amour

There are a surprising number of rappers in Burkina Faso, especially in the capital, Ouagadougou. A cosmopolitan oasis on the edge of the Sahel, Ouaga is home to a relatively progressive bunch of motorbiking hipsters. Cigarettes, Nescafe, and baguettes against a backdrop of street vendors, dusty boulevards and hustlers trading in everything from bicycle parts to stolen credit card numbers. The French colonial roots of this relaxed nation are apparent. Satellite TV beams in French, Moroccan, and Malian hip-hop videos, all in French.

This cassette is all in French, but there are some Burkinabé rappers who incorporate local languages like Mossi and More. Yeleen (the male duo) don't rap much on this track. It's all about Pris'K. Her flows here are so tight over the beat (which reminds me of Outkast or something).

Learn more about hip-hop in Burkina Faso at this French-language blog by a regular Burkinabé dude.

Sunday, April 30, 2006

 


l'Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali -
Side A:"1ere Partie (First Part)" and "2eme Partie (Second Part)" from l'Ensemble Instrumental du Mali


There are not many clues as to the origin of this Bamako street market pirated tape. No telling what year it was made. From the looks of the photo, we're talking a while ago, I think.

The song names on both sides are the same, though the music is completely different. Maybe I'll throw Side B up here eventually.

Other than that, I'll let the music and cassette cover speak for themselves. This is real.

UPDATE: A couple folks have let me know about this site, where you'll find a bunch of info on West African music . It's a mini-revelation, in fact. Look out for the implausibly thorough Malian vinyl discographies.

Friday, April 28, 2006

 


Karamoko Keita - "Fouroui Kadi Ni Kanouye"

This music is from Mali, I believe. It's sublime in its simplicity.

I bought this tape in a neighborhood in Accra, Ghana. Known for its high concentration of people from other West African countries, Nima is one of the busiest, and toughest, places in town.

Several tape shops lie along the main road that bisects this enormous slum. The shop where I found this Karamoko Keita recording has tapes you can't find anywhere else in the city, tapes from Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast...that shop is chill.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

 
Tic Tac - "Philomena" from the cassette, Philomena

Tic Tac is one of Ghana's most visible hip-hop artists. Originally touted as Ghana's answer to Busta Rhymes, Tic Tac has evoled into a frosty-tipped, micro-dread with the husky, but smooth voice that waxes romantic to a plastic beat. More recent albums depart from his intital penchant for hardcore rapping, instead working with highlife and slicker production. He teamed up with another frosty-dreaded singer/rapper from Nigeria named Tony Tetuila on his last album Wo Pe?.

Tic Tac then...



And now.



"Philomena" is a classic that may now be considered old school hiplife (if there is such a thing). It's the Tic Tac of old: rapping over minimal beats with witty, creative ideas.

Philomena is a girl who happens to have bad personal hygiene. She's got hair in her armpits and in her private area. This is gross (to most Ghanaians). Therefore, Philomena is gross.

There's a dance that motions to these areas during the part that goes, "Nwie waha, nwie waha, nwie waha, OH! [Hair here, hair there...]".

This song was huge for a while when it came out in 2001. Tic Tac remains huge.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

 


Sony Achiba - "Nipa Boniayefoo," from the album, Indian Ocean.

Ghanaian hiplife meets Bollywood on this tape. The results are scary. Listen.

Sony Achiba is the originator, and sole practicioner, of hip-dia, the fusion of hip-hop and Indian music. Considering the nature of commercial hiplife production style and the type of Indian music Achiba draws from, hip-dia takes on a singularly bizarre quality.

I've heard Sony Achiba alternately described as a visionary and an artist "completely lacking in talent." You decide. No one can deny the fact that, in early 2004, this song was as criminally over-played on Ghanaian radio as the singles from gospel chanteuse Esther Smith's Gye No Di cassette. All of these songs still get plenty of spins to this day.

The screeching car tires before each rap verse are a nice touch, bringing that true Bollywood chase scene element into this surreal collage of influences. Vocoder-laced vocals, Sade-esque make-out music beat, and synthisized violins enhance this temporarily ubiquitous oddity.

This was also inside the tape:


Sunday, April 23, 2006

 


Megborna - "Yehowa Nye Kplolanye" from the cassette, Anloga Special.

I bought this tape at a streetside shop on the corner of a big junction in southwestern Ghana (known as the Volta Region), near the border with Togo. The people here call themselves Anlo Ewe. As in most parts of southern Ghana, there are a lot of churches and church music groups around here. There are also a lot of fishing boats and seaside villages made of natural materials.

The Ewe language sounds particularly snappy to my ear. On this recording, the slow, polyrhythmic saunter of bells, handclaps, and choral harmonies echo the sounds of overnight village prayer meetings that would often keep me awake in Ghana.

Church-related music is some of the most exciting in Ghana, if you like powerful singing and mathematical drums. But watch out for the commercial gospel cassettes that crowd the markets and airwaves. Mainstream electronic gospel, often infused wit flaccid reggae grooves, would be of little interest to all but the most hardcore non-Ghanaian ear, unfortunately.

Luckily, locally-produced tapes (i.e. not big city productions made for the radio and high volume distribution) like Megborna contain much in the way of spirited jams for the adventurous listener.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

 

The Best of Yamoah's Band Vol. 1 "Ntoboase"

This is Ghanaian highlife at its most chill. Yamoah is one of the greatest highlife singers ever. Yamoah is not very well known outside of Ghana. Those who are into collecting music from West Africa will certainly have come across some of his recordings though.

Vols 1-4 can be found in the cassette stalls in Kantamanto market, down in central Accra.

Best of Yamoah's Band Vol. 1 is one of my all-time favorites (and its three other vols). Guitar highlife with that incredibly far behind the beat feel to it. The almost wailing vocal harmonies, laced with what sound like hymnal cadences...sweet.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

 


Kouyate Sory Kandia - "Souaressi" from a self-titled cassette.

This is an old school Guinean vocalist of the crooning, occasionally belting, variety. It's all there: rhumba, jazz, and indigenous modes.

On the song "Souaressi", as on most of the songs, Kouyate Sory Kandia is accompanied by an orchestra of traditional and western instruments.

The whole album makes me feel retro or something. Yeah!

I bought this tape at a market in central Bamako, Mali. Tapes there cost like 700-1000 CFA Francs (which is about $1.50-$2.00).

 
Ata Kak - Obaa Sima

This is it. The song is called "Moma Yendodo".

You may never hear anything like this elsewhere.

I bought this on the street from a guy selling tapes displayed on one of those big, vertical wooden racks in Cape Coast, Ghana.

No one I know in Ghana listens to this frenetic leftfield rap madness.


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