by Andy Healey
100 Malton St Sheffield
tel. (0114) 2430515
e.mail: andyhealey@synergynet.co.uk
November 2K2
top ten
ORCHESTRA BAOBAB (Senegal)“Specialist In All Styles” (World Circuit) - A triumphant return for the reformed band and their lilting Manding twist on Cuban sounds. Classy.
SEKOUBA “BAMBINO” DIABATE (Guinea) “Sinikan” (Sonodisc) - Guinea’s greatest singer in an eagerly awaited return, and a confident mixture of big band manding roots, with some delicious arrangements – ripply accordion, incisive string section and great horns.
ISSA BAGAYOGO (Mali) "Timbuktu" (Six Degrees Records) – singer’s Malian roots twist around western beats once more, without making too many concessions. Definitely one with crossover potential.
SALIF KEITA (Mali) "Moffou" (Universal) - great return to form from top singer – the duet with Cesaria Evora is a joy, there’s some classic acoustic roots and a couple of nicely balanced dance numbers.
SALLY NYOLO (Cameroon) “Beti” (Lusafrica) - bubbly polyrhythmic roots pop in a variety of styles with echoes of the rainforest from the brilliant, singer/songwriter.
LOKOU KANZA (Congo) "Toyebe Te" (Wrasse) – some of it might sound a bit bland on first listening, but the golden-voiced singer/songwriter crafts beautiful soundscapes featuring awesome harmonies, with a freshness and vitality that is a world away from the formulaic “chill” cabinet.
FARAFINA (Burkina Faso) "Kanou" (Intuition) – a new woman singer brings to mind Nahawa Dombia’s two excellent electric albums from the early 90’s as the band stretch the mix to include salsa without losing the raw polyrhythmic edge of djembe’s and balafons that has always propelled their acrobatic live show.
JAOJOBY (Madagascar) "Aza Arianao" (Indigo) - super salegy workout from veteran Eusebe Jaojoby and band – title track is a classic of brooding melody and driving rhythm and a reminder of why, at its best, the salegy style is such a potent force for drivin yer head, hands and feet.
TONY ALLEN (Nigeria) “Home Cooking” (Comet) - Worth the price of admission for the groovy “Don’t Fight ” – an anti-war anthem for our times and the rest rolls around the afrobeat/soul/funk/jazz/rap genres with mixed results, but always danceable - should be flooding the airwaves, really.
OLIVER MTUKUDZI (Zimbabwe) "Vhunze Moto" (Putamayo) – a variety of styles from chimurenga to township jazz via united by the songs of towering singer/songwriter - some memorable, others less so, but as ever he’s a singer you’ll keep going back to.
best of the rest
HASNA EL BACHARI (Algeria) "Djazair Johara" (Indigo) – rough-voice singer/electric guitarist, she sings over heavy acoustic Gnawa/Berber trance with a rootsy band
LES SOEURS DIABATE (Guinea) "Donkili Diarabi" (Popular African Music) – two real sisters and one in spirit, sing over a balafon/guitar backing, some breathtaking harmonies at times though I’d rather have heard more of the sweeter voiced Sona.
DANYEL WARO (Reunion) "Bwarouz" (Cobalt) – call and response vocals over spacious percussive backdrop and passionate radical lyrics from Danyel
KANDIA KOUYATE (Mali) – big epic tunes, awesome roots backing and an epic voice, though I must admit to only being able to take in small doses.
YOUSSOU N'DOUR (Senegal) "Ba Tay" (Jololi) – Youssou’s latest 30 min Senegalese release and one blistering blast of mballax, a few pleasant tunes and a couple of bland m.o.r. ballads
MAC TONTOH & KETE WARRIORS (Ghana) "Nana Eba" (Amanas) – Ashanti jazz from ex-Osibisa trumpeter and band.
ZAWOSE & BROOK (Tanzania/US) "Assembly" (Real World) – Hukwe Zawose’s sanza and voice still stun, but apart from the bold “Kuna Kunguni”, Brook’s beats add little.
KOFFI OLOMIDE (D.R.Congo) "Effra Kata” - A few nice tunes, but too many clichés over a double cd from silken voiced Congolese star.
SOOTHSAYERS (UK) "Lost City" (Red Earth) – global jazz-dance styles from South Africa to Jamaica via Nigeria from capable band and guests.
ANJELIQUE KIDJO (Benin) "Black Ivory Soul" (Sony Jazz) – her take on Brazilian music has one great bahia-style tune but elsewhere a tendency towards the bland euro-pop that has plagued recent releases rears its ugly head – a waste of a great talent.
compilations/reissues
ORCHESTRE VEVE (D.R.Congo) “Vintage Verckys” (Retroafric) -wonderful collection of 60’s & 70’s tunes from veteran sax player and arranger.
AMAYENGE (Zambia) "Zambian Legends Part 1" (Mondo Music) – Mondo’s usual combination of dodgy sound and amazing music, this time from Zambia’s premier kalindula roots-pop band –some of these were on their U.K releases and some not, but if you love ‘em you’ll wannit.
JAYNE CORTEZ (USA) "Poetry & Music"(Women In Emotion) – reissue of ‘92 concert by firebrand poet and her free-jazz-funk band the Firespitters in cracking form.
ALI HASSAN KUBAN (Egypt) "The Rough Guide" (World Music Network) – supreme Nubian wedding band leader who died a couple of years back in decent retrospective.
KING SUNNY ADE (Nigeria) "Classics Vol. 6" (Masterdisc Nigeria) – some lovely juju from yer man – check out the other volumes n’all
various artists compilations
PALOP AFRICA (Sterns) – pleasant portuguese-speaking African compilation
AFRICANESQUE (React) – mixed bag, but a few nice afrobeatish tunes and a good running time.
AFRICA RAPS –well, Senegal really, apart from one from Mali - standouts are Gao Bi System’s hip-hop groove via roots percussion, and relative veterans Positive Black Soul’s rap's over a spiced-up Orchestra Baobab groove. The rest of the local scene sounds fascinating lyrically (check excellent sleeve notes), but the beats sound tired.
AUTUMN 2k2
ORCHESTRA BAOBAB (Senegal)“Specialist In All Styles” (World Circuit) - A triumphant return for the reformed band and their lilting Manding twist on Cuban sounds. Classy.
SEKOUBA “BAMBINO” DIABATE (Guinea) “Sinikan” (Sonodisc) - Guinea’s greatest singer in an eagerly awaited return, and a confident mixture of big band manding roots, with some delicious arrangements – ripply accordion, incisive string section and great horns.
ISSA BAGAYOGO (Mali) "Timbuktu" (Six Degrees Records) – singer’s Malian roots twist around western beats once more, without making too many concessions. Definitely one with crossover potential.
SALIF KEITA (Mali) "Moffou" (Universal) - great return to form from top singer – the duet with Cesaria Evora is a joy, there’s some classic acoustic roots and a couple of nicely balanced dance numbers.
SALLY NYOLO (Cameroon) “Beti” (Lusafrica) - bubbly polyrhythmic roots pop in a variety of styles with echoes of the rainforest from the brilliant, singer/songwriter.
LOKOU KANZA (Congo) "Toyebe Te" (Wrasse) – some of it might sound a bit bland on first listening, but the golden-voiced singer/songwriter crafts beautiful soundscapes featuring awesome harmonies, with a freshness and vitality that is a world away from the formulaic “chill” cabinet.
FARAFINA (Burkina Faso) "Kanou" (Intuition) – a new woman singer brings to mind Nahawa Dombia’s two excellent electric albums from the early 90’s as the band stretch the mix to include salsa without losing the raw polyrhythmic edge of djembe’s and balafons that has always propelled their acrobatic live show.
JAOJOBY (Madagascar) "Aza Arianao" (Indigo) - super salegy workout from veteran Eusebe Jaojoby and band – title track is a classic of brooding melody and driving rhythm and a reminder of why, at its best, the salegy style is such a potent force for drivin yer head, hands and feet.
TONY ALLEN (Nigeria) “Home Cooking” (Comet) - Worth the price of admission for the groovy “Don’t Fight ” – an anti-war anthem for our times and the rest rolls around the afrobeat/soul/funk/jazz/rap genres with mixed results, but always danceable - should be flooding the airwaves, really.
OLIVER MTUKUDZI (Zimbabwe) "Vhunze Moto" (Putamayo) – a variety of styles from chimurenga to township jazz via united by the songs of towering singer/songwriter - some memorable, others less so, but as ever he’s a singer you’ll keep going back to.
best of the rest
SOUAD MASSI (Algeria) “Raoui - The Storyteller” (Wrasse) - young Algerian woman singer/songwriter in mostly acoustic mode, with a couple of nice dance numbers too.
AMAMPONDO (South Africa) "Vuyani" (MELT 2000) - South African marimba, vocal & percussion ensemble's latest takes the mix further with more sophisticated arrangements and jazz colours.
LES TAMBOURS DE BRAZZA (Congo) "Zangoula" (Contre-Jour) - one of the most exciting live African drumming outfits around, with a wide repertoire, reasonably well captured in this live recording.
compilations/reissues
MIRIAM MAKEBA (South Africa) "The Guinea Years" (STCD) - South African songstress with collection of tunes from her years in exile in Guinea. Some of her finest work with a bit more of an edge to it than some of her later material.
THOMAS MAPFUMO (Zimbabwe) "Collected - Classic cuts and rare tracks from the Lion of Zimbabwe 1978-2002" (Nascente) - just what it says on the bottle and very tasty too.
SOUL BROTHERS (South Africa) "Rough Guide" (WMN) - veteran S.A. jivers retrospective - a bit samey taken as a whole, but at its best leads irresistibly to the dancefloor - try the sublime "Ujahene" - its sweeping Hammond organ intro gets me every time. They can't half dance n'all.
various artists compilations
ROUGH GUIDE TO NIGERIA & GHANA (WMN) - a totally delicious musical journey round hi-life, juju, afrobeat, fuji and unexpected corners and clashes beyond. Great sleeve notes too. One to have you searching out the original albums for more.
SOUNDS OF ZAMBIA Vol.2 (Mondo Music) - more vintage pop classics from the 70s to the 90s with some brilliant kalindula styles - that vibrant 6/8 roots guitar-pop that is one of Zambia's great gifts to the world of music (and dance!). Rough sound quality at times, but the music just sparkles.
ROUGH GUIDE TO CENTRAL AMERICA (WMN) - great selection of tunes with plenty of African roots material from Honduras, Guatemala and Belize alongside everything from salsa to calypso. A fascinating collection from an area with a rich but little heard musical culture, and Rough Guides excellent as ever sleevenotes provide plenty of insight.
TEA IN MARRAKESH (Sterns) - classy, well-chosen, contemporary North African compilation.
SPIRIT OF AFRICA (Realworld) - fresh, contemporary African compilation of aids-related songs.
ROUGH GUIDE TO HAITI (WMN) - some nice slow Congolese-rumba-ish style grooves but overall a bit disappointing. Do catch the wonderful Boukman Eksperyans live though if you get the chance.
WINTER 2002
CARLINHOS BROWN - "Bahia Do Mundo" (EMI) global pop at its best- a seamless mix of Brazilian forms with black music styles- deep & catchy as hell.
CAETANO VELOSO - "Noites do Norte" (Universal) bossa & roots & strings gentle but with a deep rhythmic undertow - wonderful celebration of afro-brazil.
ORLANDO "CACHAITO" LOPEZ - "Cachaito" (World Circuit) spacey, dubby organic cubanjazz episode. Fresh indeed.
MAMOU SIDIBE - "Nakan" - (Cobalt) beats courtesy of Bamako's Studio 2000 allied to a rootsy Wassoulou groove from new Malian vocal star.
KEKELE - "Rumba Congo" (Sterns) - sublime acoustic rumba from line up of Conolese veterans
HI-LIFE ALL STARS - "Sankofa" (Network) Ghanain hi-life like they used to make it from various outfits.
MABULU - "Soul Marrabenta" (World Music Network ) more Mozambique guitar pop & rap & more from uk tourists in 2K1
MORENO VELOSO - "Music Typewriter" (Hannibal) catchy, quirky songs from Caetano's son.
YOUSSOU N'DOUR - "Rewmi" (Jololi) cd release of his last Senegalese cassette (hence only 30 minutes) and some uplifting classics among more standard mballax fayre
BAABA MAAL - "Mi Yeewnii (Missing You)" (Palm Pictures) - if you've been missing Baaba's roots - they're back.
best of the rest
DJELIMADY TOUNKARA - "Sigui" (Indigo) master malian guitarist takes on the classics with a roots line-up.Heavy.
EUPHURO - "Yella" (WMN) Mozambique polyrhythmic pop let down by some out of tune bits but interesting. nontheless,
OLIVER N'GOMA - "Seva" (Noli/Lusafrica) lite afro-paris mix from congolese singer.
MOJO STORM - "Live It, Love It, Breathe It" (Mojo Storm) Liverpool outfit mixing west african influences with indie fayre.
reissues/compilations/late arrivals
BHUNDU BOYS -"The Shed Sessions" (Sadza) complete sessions of their best stuff that got a partial release uk-wise as "Shabini" -superb sleeve notes bring to life their early days.
SAM MANGWANA -"The Very Best Of 2001" (BMP) Full of juicy classics -some of the great Congolese singers finest moments over the years.
YOUSSOU N'DOUR - "Birth of A Star - 11 Great Dakar Hits" (Manteca) - great mid-priced compilation of some of his Senegalese releases over the years with Etoile de Dakar & Super Etoile bands.
FRANCO - "The Rough Guide" (WMN) Top notch introduction to the legendary Congolese guitarist/singer/composer compiled by biographer Graeme Ewens.
LUCKY DUBE (WMN) "The Rough Guide" (WMN) pleasant if samish collection - bit like yer man really.
V/A - "Urban Africa Now" (Trace/Cod Music) excellent compilation, with plenty of collisions of african sounds with the contemporary global black music scene.
ROUGH GUIDE OXFAM AFRICA (WMN)- a single disc covering all africa, from old to new and well known to obscure is a tall task indeed, but this hangs together very well - an excellent compilation.
ROUGH GUIDE to AFRO-CUBA (WMN) - top notch mix 'o tunes from Cuba to Africa & back, standout on the afro-side being Bally et ses Balladin's sublime tune. Theres a rich seam of Latin/Manding fusion from Guinea & Mali to be mined - more volumes maybe?
ROUGH GUIDE to MARRABENTA MOZAMBIQUE (WMN) a right nice, quite varied collection -fans of Mabulu will love it and there's loads more besides
ROUGH GUIDE to THE CUBAN MUSIC STORY (WMN) another cuban comp? When this well put together yer canay complain.
ROUGH GUIDE to CAPE VERDE (WMN) ok collection of mellowish tunes.
ROUGH GUIDE to SAMBA (WMN) disappointing- try Luaka Bop's "O Samba" for a more inspired selection.
V/A - "African Rhythms" - Traditional Voices and Music from the Heart of Africa (Manteca)
Some interesting bits & bobs in there.
SUMMER 2001
BONGA - "Mulemba Xangola" (Lusafrica) Lisbon-based Angolan singer with a deep, gravelly voice and a superb mix of Lusaphone styles from ballads to floorfillers. Light, delicate and earthy.
V/A- "Angola 90's" (Buda). Delightful collection of artists, songs & styles - hints of Brasil & Cape Verde. All this and with a war on too.Beautiful stuff. Check the sublime Philip Mukenga track for a taste.
SAM MANGWANA- "Sam Mangwana Sings Dino Vangu" (Sterns). Silken-voiced Congolese veteran teams up with guitarist/songwriter Dino Vangu for celebration of congolese rumba. Sweet.
TARIKA - "Soul Makassar" (Sakay) delayed release due to record company bust ups - sees Hanrita & band exploring some of their Malagasy roots in Indonesia and some wider grooves from country to soukous. Possibly their best yet, for me.
AFRICANDO ALL STARS - "Mandali" (Sterns). An all-star line up of guest African vocalists incl Salif Keita, Koffi Olomide, Thione Seck and Sekouba Bambina sing over the usual classy salsa grooves - nice but a bit conservative musically - the brilliant producer and arranger Boncana Maiga is treading water, albeit in style. Howsabout some more manding swing in't beat or can ye salsa dance fans nay tek it capn.? Still, if its salsa ye be wantin then yr'll be well happy.
SAMBA MAPANGALA & ORCHESTRA VIRUNGA- "Ujumbe" (Sterns) Kenyan/Congolese rhythms via Paris from sweet voiced singer, and some flashes of classic Virunga together with more standard soukous-paris fare.Heavenly horn riffs.
TARTIT- "Ichichila" (Network) Powerful, deep desert blues from Tuareg nomads of northern Mali - vocals, percussion and leccy guitar.
RAY LEMA/TYOUR GNAOUA - "Safe" (Buda) Always the experimenter, this is maverick producer/instrumentalist Lema's take on Moroccan gnawa music via group Tyour Gnaoua. Strange at times but fresh and tasty. Check the reggaeish "Mr X".
MAHOTELLA QUEENS -"Sebai Bai" (Label Bleau) a crisp young band seems to bring out the best in veteran South African vocal group mostly in classic style with some Soul Bros-style organ & the odd fresh flavour aswell.Nice.
ORISHAS - "a lo cubano" (EMI) Out a while but hey, I just 'ear - Cuban hip-hop via Paris - check "Represent" for ow it should be done.
BRENDA FASSIE - "Amadloze 2000" (CCP/EMI) Some tacky synth and drum lines cannot hide the power and uplifting sentiment. Top 20 S.A fare and then some.
BAMBATA - "1906" (Gallo) Zulu maskanda music updated a bit like Bhusi Mhlongo's Urbanzulu.set. A bit relentless as a whole, but some wickedly driving dance tunes.
EDDIE BOBE- "Central Park Rumba" (Piranha) Deep afro-percussion and light and airy call & response vocals. This is Cuban rumba thro the Nuyorican (NY Puerto-Rican) blender. Seriously deep.
CASCABULU - "Hunger Gives You A Headache" (Piranha) 1998 set gets a uk release for band from mangu beat youth scene/movement from Recife, Brasil. Fast & furious - the Pogues for Brasil anyone?
DJOLOFF - "Jawane" (Emma) Senegalese hip-hop. Some nice traditional instrumental flavours in the mix, shame the beats & raps are fairly standard.O.K.ish
AMANPONDO/ALAN SKIDMORE- "The Calling" (Provocateur) Came out a while back & forgot to mention - ace Coltrane-inspired UK saxman joins traditional South African outfit for high-energy workout.
MWALIMU (Papa Wemba) with NOUVELLE ECRITURE - "a la une" (RMP) Latest double cd from yer man. Listenable thro some dodgy synth. More congolese/ragga fusions next time please.
BEMBEYA JAZZ- "Homage a Demba Camara" (Melodie) Timeless music from one of the all-time great bands- Melodies from heaven (and Guinea) and Sekou Diabate's lyrical, floating guitar.
DEXTER JOHNSON - "Serie Sangomar 2" (Dakar Sound) ace tenor saxman who started out playing hi-life in Nigeria and is the common link in this collection of steamy 60's Senegalese covers of Cuban classics with hints of the Senegalese-roots revolution to come.
PAPA NOEL - "Bel Ami" (Sterns). superior rumba from Congolese guitar-man.
V/A -"Sounds of Zambia Vol 1" (Mondo Music) Lo-fi but high-energy collection of classic guitar-pop.
V/A -"In Griot Time - String Music from Mali" (Sterns) Compiled by guitarist Banning Eyre - the priceless bits are some of his round-the-fire snippets but as a whole, a great mix of tunes ancient and modern from MaliMABULU - “Karimbo” (World Music Network). Been hearing about this one for a while, and a sample Andy Kershaw played on Radio 3 sounded promising. A breath of fresh air it is too. A Mozambican outfit, came together and recorded during the devastating floods earlier this year and a delightful mix of old style marabenta with its bubbling guitars and dancing percussion with ragga chat and hip-hop style rap, bringing old and MTV generations together. Excellent production, sleeve notes and presentation too. Definitely a candidate for my album of the year.
THOMAS MAPFUMO - “Chimurenga Explosion” (ANON 0743). After a series of so-so releases, a welcome return to form, with a musical freshness and vitality that brings to mind his early Chimurenga recordings and runs through his variety of styles.Full of those deceptively simple guitar riffs/melodies that sink into yer brain and emerge again days or weeks later.
MAMA SISSOKO - “Soleil de minuit” (Buda). Electric/acoustic Guitarist from Guinea, W.Africa. Listened to this first on headphones on a train overt’ pennines and its 3 guitars entwined very nicely round my head for the whole journey. Nice percussion and some Orchestra Baobab-style latin flavours alternate with rippleing Manding melodies with a Guinean flavour. Occasionally bewilderingly square kit-drumming lets it down from time to time.
GILBERTO GIL - “As Cancoes de Eu, Tu, Eles” (WEA). Always a delight to hear his new albums and this is no exception. Quirky songs in a variety of acoustikey Brasilian styles - shame no English translation of lyrics cos they’re always pure poetry, and adds immeasurably to his appeal.
OLIVER MUTUKUDZI - “Paiveopo” (Putumayo). Essentially a “peoples choice” best-of compilation re-recorded with his current band.Pop-ier musically maybe than compatriot Thomas Mapfumo but the secret’s in his voice - deep and wise and lived-in. The musics infectious too- from slow ballads to South African mbaquanga influenced tunes.
RUBEN GONZALEZ - “Chanchulo”(World Circuit). More splendid Cuban vibes from veteran pianist & Buena Vista crew, including a couple of crackin’ descargas where he stretches out a bit. Plenty of more gentle stuff and it all oozes the usual class musically & recording wise.
LENINE - “Na Pressao” (BMG). New wave Brasillian singer/songwriter with a wide pallette of contemporary beats - think tropicalissmo for the 90’s.
THE MAC TONTOH PROJECT- (promo). Latest album from ex-Osibisa trumpeter mixes up the jazz & Ashanti rhythms for a tasty mix, my fave being the nyabhingi-flavoured “Sosomisa”. Catch him live with 12 piece band in UK this Oct/Nov.
LOS DE ABAJO - “Los De Abajo” (Luaka Bop). Latin with attitude (salsa-ska-punk-’n’-politics) from Mexican outfit - kicked up a storm live atLiverpools Africa Oye festival in June.They played a mean bit of Jazz in the warm up too. Track ‘em down.
EL HADJ N’DIAYE - “Thiaroye”(Siggi Musique). Songs from all over Senegal, with a bit of the feel of Baaba Maal/Mansoor Seck’s “Djaam Leleel” tho his voice is more rounded and the guitar gets well rocky at times.
SIZZLA - “Bobo Ashanti” (Greensleeves). Latest from the man and I was a wee bit dissapointed - uninspired rhythms and a bit shouty. Maybe he needs a holiday. Or maybe I do.
EKOVA - “Soft Breeze & Tsunami Breaks”(Six Degrees). Remix of their album “Heavens Dust” by all kinda remixers in all kind of styles and if you like vaguely arabic-sounding trancey stuff then give it a whirl.
CUBANISMO - “Mardi Gras Mambo”(Putamayo). Off to New Orleans for third album from London-based Cuban trumpeter Jesus Alemeny & crew withlocal musicians on board - a mixed bag - try B4 buy.
Reissues/Compilations
Various Artists -“Lusaphone” Mid-priced, lo-info compilation of tunes from portugese-speaking Africa with a few gems in there.
Various Artists - “Latin Travels” (Six Degrees). Latin from t’studio in the main and some quite nice tunes but at the end of the day it had me reaching for some of the real thing.
Various Artists - “Afropea” (Luaka Bop). Now released mid-price since Virgin’s takeover of the label, and a fascinating glimpse of the many strands of music from portugese-speaking Africa, with Luaka Bop’s usual excellent notes.
Summer 2K top 11 from Africa & beyond
· SUSANA BACA “Eco de Sombras” (Luaka Bop) With Susana Baca, less is definitely more. Percussion with space to breathe & stretch . Sensual vocals full of restrained passion. Continues in the vein of her first album of afro-peruvian grooves, but taking the music forward as well, with some interesting arrangements & guest slide guitar. Beautiful.
· VIRGINIA RODRIGUES “Nos” (Hannibal) I must admit to finding her vocal style clashing with some of the songs on her first album, but on “Nos” she re-works some classic numbers from the leading afro-blocos to great effect. Her restrained version of Ellegibo is a delight, a contrast to Margreth Menezes well known take on the tune. A voice from heaven.
· SILVIA TORRES “Silvia Torres” The album begins with some pleasant jazzy samba/bossa novas but really gets going later with some deep (amazonian?) rhythms around some haunting tracks evoking the sorts of feelings & emotions you struggle to find english words for. Production by all-round maverick/musical genius Carlinhos Brown. Check it out.
· DANYEL WARO “Foutan Fonker” (Cobalt) More percussion & vocals, this time from the Indian Ocean island of Reunion. African influenced & calm & relaxing, despite the polyrhythmic undertow. Recommended
· TOTO LA MOMPOSINA “Picante” Rough, tough & rootsy afro-colombian grooves are the order of the day for her latest including a heavenly version of the W.African classic “Mami Wata”. Deeply satisfying
· BANDA EVA “Ao Vivo” Covers of current ashe (pro. ashay) music faves - bouncy Bahian pop with shades of forro, frevo, samba reggae, ska and a joyous singalong hands in the air vibe. Play loud, jump around and join in.
· RICARDO LEMVO “Sao Salvador” (Putumayo) Third album from the US-based Congolese singer, and perhaps his most succesful so far, in terms of fresh fusions of congolese and latin rhythms. Party grooves par-excellence.
· NAHAWA DOUMBIA/I.G. CULTURE “Fatien”(on”Frikyiwa”comp.) Ah, remix land, “exotic” textures added on to watered down rhythms, or tacked on to generic clubby grooves - but not here. I’ve always loved Nahawa Doumbia’s arrangements, and here the Malian singer meets up with inspired London-based producer I.G. Culture for 9 minutes of african-breakbeat mayhem. The rest of the compilation offers more conventional remix fayre, but nice in parts.
· OMARA PORTUONDO “Buena Vista Presents” (World Circuit) World Circuit debut from one of the Buena Vista singers. An old-school set with a great singer, classy band, glorious strings, & sumptuous recording & production.
· REBECCA MALOPE “Siyabonga” (CCP) Occasionally tacky drum-machines, but the harmonies are awesome, and Rebecca’s vocals are as powerful and impassioned as ever. South African gospel at its finest.
· MANU DIBANGO “Kamer Feelings” (JPS) Latest offering from the granddaddy of afro-pop finds him in buoyant mood, revisiting past hits and dipping into the great African songbook. Pop music for sure, but oozing class and assurance, with enough fresh angles and arrangements to keep the faithful happy.
Thanks to: The Record Store at Simunye Intercultural ArtsTel(0114) 2508190
& Music Dept. at News From Nowhere Community Bookshop tel. (0151) 7087270