“Bahia” by Angelique Kidjo
Great music is often characterized by its ability to accurately represent the inspiration behind it. When that source of inspiration is “real”, the music gets the added benefit of sounding and feeling “authentic”. When you hear Angelique Kidjo’s amazing singing glide harmoniously over Brazilian percussion and string instruments, there is absolutely no doubt in your mind about whether the two styles belong together.
The city of Salvador Da Bahia on the north eastern coast of Brazil is the inspiration behind this song. It’s interesting to note that the connection between West Africa and Brazil on the song, mirrors the actual cultural realities of the city. With over 80% of the population of Bahia having Black African ancestry, many consider it to be the center of “Afro-Brazilian” culture.
Title: Bahia
Artist: Angelique Kidjo
Album: Black Ivory Soul, 2002
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“El Son Reggae” by Les Nubians
Musically, it’s always difficult (and risky) to combine different styles on the same record. Few artists can pull off such experiments without the outcome sounding overly “manufactured”. However, when the different vibes are able to mesh, the result can be extraordinary.
On “El Son Reggae”, Les Nubians bring Neo-soul, Salsa and Reggae on a collision course, and the ensuing crash is spectacular to say the least. Cuban style guitars are backed by authentic reggae drum breaks and neo soul vocals sung in both French and Spanish.
The “Nubians” sisters Helene and Cecilia Faussart were born in France to a French father and a Cameroonian mother. Their African roots have always had a great impact on their music, with Helene citing artists like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba as influences. With a Grammy nomination, a Soul Train award and an NAACP image award under their belt, Les Nubians are perhaps the most successful French-language group in the United States.
It pays to be unconventional….
Title: El Son Reggae
Artist: Les Nubians
Album: One Step Forward, 2003
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Loading ...“Diaraby” by Ali Farka Toure
“Diaraby” is another song that cements the status of Ali Farka and Ry Cooder’s “Talking Timbuktu” as a classic recording. The 1994 album propelled Mali’s leading guitarist onto the international limelight while at the same time providing a sort of confirmation that Blues music most likely originated from West Africa and reached American shores via slaves who brought their oral traditions with them.
The genre commonly employs the “call and response” technique (often between vocals and a guitar), which is a typically African musical feature. It is unfortunate that the recording industry often refuses to categorize this type of music as “Blues” and instead opts to give it the generic “World Music” tag, which doesn’t really mean anything if you ask me……Politics….Politics.
The interplay between the two guitars is beautifully offset by the rhythm created by the percussive instrument. The vocals tell the story of a couple fighting to overcome obstacles to their love, the biggest of which seems to be their respective families (and yes I do speak the language).
R.I.P King Toure. You are forever.
Title: Diaraby
Artist: Ali Farka Toure and Ry Cooder
Album: Talking Timbuktu, 1994
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Loading ...“Tajabone” by Ismael Lo
The “Blues” genre is perhaps a more likely forum for the interaction between a guitar and a harmonica than a classic west African song. However, as another testament to how global music is, we find them here on this African masterpiece.
“Tajabone” is the song that put Senegal’s Ismael Lo on the world map with its instant success on the European music charts back in 1992. Back home, Ismael Lo is revered for his versatility. He expertly alternates between his guitar, harmonica and vocals during his live performances. Lo was a guitarist for Super Diamano, a “Mbalax” blues band, for five years before leaving to start his own solo career. He is often referred to as the “Bob Dylan of Senegal” because of his guitar and harmonica combination coupled with his conscious lyrics.
Take a short trip to Senegal on this one…..
Title: Tajabone
Artist: Ismael Lo
Album: Ismael Lo, 1992
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Loading ...“Sambolera Mayi Son” by Khadja Nin
A Queen from Burundi.
One the smallest countries on the continent, Burundi is located in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
Unfortunately, its relatively small size did not spare the country from experiencing the political instability and resulting violence that has plagued many African countries since the 1960s when most of them became independent. Between 1993 and 2005, Burundi witnessed an armed conflict that cost hundreds of thousands of lives and cemented its economic position as one of the 10 poorest nations of the World.
In the face of tragedy, especially one as self-inflicted as a civil war, there must be a few who are willing to stand up and speak up. Khadja Nin does both with “Sombolera Mayi Son” as she questions the logic and morality of her country’s civil war, or any war, anywhere for that matter.
This song is majestic not only in its content but also in its delivery. Khadja Nin’s message is delivered in a voice exudes warmth and power. The first time I heard this, something seemed to be telling me that I needed to listen……that I needed to understand this message.
You don’t need to speak a word of Swahili to feel the positivity emanating from this….
“One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one” (Agatha Christie 1890-1976)”.
Peace.
- Title: Sambolera Mayi Son
Artist: Khadja Nin
Album: Sambolera, 1996
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Ssidy is what my friends call me. I was born in Senegal of Malian parents (hence my Mali nationality). I grew up all over the place…Bamako, London, Accra, Cape Town, before I went to college in Miami and finally got a job in Sydney where I’ve been living since August 2008.
When I’m not working on The Timbuktu Project, or as a financial analyst (full-time), you can usually catch me somewhere on a football pitch or involved in anything music related. Music is everything to me. Whatever mood I am in, there is always a song that captures the moment perfectly. Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes around me will probably attest to this: I listen to all types of stuff.....possibly because no single genre holds enough songs to quench that musical thirst of mine... 