Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Aster Aweke
Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Side B
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8
Oh man. Good luck not falling in love. Shame the cassette is distorted a bit but I could never stay mad at this tape.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Nama Jacky Avou Saaba
Side A
Side B
10/10/10 is a special day, therefore here's something a little left-field. This tape from Burkina Faso requires a leap of faith for me since it's the kind of pop music I'd rather be hearing blasting out a car radio or in a Ouagadougou bar. To me, many of these synth-based regional pop styles sound way bubblegum when heard for the first time in a placid Brooklyn bedroom.
I am still figuring out what I think about this distinct and cosmopolitan synth-guided pop manifesto. (The song "Throu" is as compelling as four versions of "Avou Saaba" is superfluous.) But I'm obsessed with all things Burkinabe so for 10/10/10's sake let's see if Nama Jacky's on some next shit and we're still catching up. Thanks Jonathan.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Joseph Mutero & Africa Sounds Tiri Vadoko
Side 1
Side 2
A kind acquaintance named Benni found this in Zimbabwe in 1993 so we're dusting it off in praise of another beautiful day in New York City.
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ sets in France coming up:
October 1 Rennes/Pause Métissée L’Ubu with DJ Bone/Labelle/Night Knight
October 2 Paris/Palmwine Party with DJ Orl and Groovy J at Piston Pélican
Monday, September 13, 2010
Fanta Damba du Mali Vol 2 (accompagné à la Cora par Batourou Sekou Kouyate)
Side 1
Tagayoro Bana
Besson Sori
Alla Kana Moko Djougou Ki Serreye
Side 2
Sekou Semega
Tatou
Ba Douga Den
Tape quality is really hissy here but this is Fanta Damba. She's a legend and her voice will destroy you. And ho boy if there aren't some sublime instrumental performances contained herein.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ernesto Djédjé Le Roi du Ziglibithy
Side A
Pieli
Golozo
C'estlavie
Zigubithy
Side B
Zibote
Zadie Bobo
Behdo
Lola
Gnizako
Assouna
I'd managed to live life blissfully ignorant of Ernesto Djédjé up until very recently. A trailblazer who combined indigenous Ivorian music with mainstream sounds (Congolese rumba aka soukous, which had been sweeping the continent), Djédjé blew peoples' minds with this 1977 joint. Ziglibithy was his brainchild, a new musical style. I really like this. Thanks to Seth.
(There are other versions of this available around the web but this tape includes 4 extra songs not found on the original LP.)
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ sets on Tuesday, September 7 at FADER Bowl aka free show at Brooklyn Bowl starring the band Happy Birthday, 8pm-12am.
I will be in the UK in December, let me know if there's somewhere I should definitely bring my tapes.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Woubeshet Feseha 1976
Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Side B
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8
Um, it's been said over and over already: Addis Ababa must've been one damn swinging place in the `70s. To me this feels like end of summer late night deep thoughts make out music. Haunting and soothing, alternately.
Big ups to the nice lady in Copenhagen who gifted this tape to me at a gathering in a rainstorm.
PS: my favorite tape cover so far?
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Jagwa Music Vol. 4 Liwalo Na Liwe
Face 1
Jenifer
Liwalo Na Liwe
Sarafina
Face 2
Oscar Mkoba
Kulusumu
Mpangaji Mungu
Tanzanian lo-fi freak out jams for the head and body from a Dar es Salaam-based outfit called Jagwa Music. Traditional dance drumming with cheap synths and desperate last-night-on-earth vocals. Bonus bizarre key changes and K Records-esque delightful sloppiness. In its own way, this whole tape feels punk to me. Wills called this to our attention and for that we're grateful.
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ sets in Scandinavia very soon:
August 12 Copenhagen/Osloo
August 13 Helsinki/Flow Festival
August 14 Stockholm/Riche
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Diakari Dia Diakite dit Dia Sadjona
Side A
Sadjona
Noumou Foly
Marassa
Side B
Thié Foly
Soma Tjayala
Soma Foly
Another gifted vocalist/n'goni ninja piques my interest. Please go ahead and add him to the burgeoning list recently fortified by new releases from Yaala Yaala/Drag City. Hunters' music from south of Bamako is apparently all the rage in 2010 and I am not mad.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Bongo Flava 3
Side A
Cheka Kidogo—Dudubaya
Latifa—N.B. Dog ft. Madee
Sumu ya Teja—Vital Maende
Baridi Kama Hii—Enika
Itakuwa Ngumu—Vivan
Tulia—Jack Maria
Side B
Mapenzi Gani—Banana
Siku ya Leo—Bushoke
Milionea—O.B. Bryant
Leila Wakole Hexagone
Niko Simple—Dogo N Viny
Kama Yule—Q Chief
Who's up for a Tanzanian bongo flava compilation? It's nothing to write home about but in this epic heatwave I'm finding it hard to dig deep in the cassette boxes.
I am djing tonight at the Konono no. 1 show at Le Poisson Rouge.
Also, this Thursday, July 22 is Twin Shadow, Awesome Tapes from Africa, Hooray for Earth and Mammal Paradise at Cake Shop.
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Omar El Knitri avec Saïd Dade
Side 1
Malika
Sidi Ya Hah
Dekkat 55
Nadia
Sidi Abderrahman
Side 2
Fatma Fatma
Shaïbi
Saïssih
Abdellah Ya Soussi
Fatima Hanan
Marhba Ya Lalla
Hbabahi
I got this excellent frentic freakout of a tape in Paris. I can't find any infos on this rai guy who is from Morocco or Algeria (I can't recall). While googling I came across these great music videos by a guy with a similar name.
Next Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ set is with Konono no. 1, Javelin, Just Wills and Prof DJ Rainstick at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC on July 18.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Baba Ndongo l'Album Acoustique Pulaar
Face A
Kali Alfa
Baccili
Bojal
Danniyanke
Jam Jam
Fanay Ndooro
Face B
Hammadi Gaynaako
Teddungal Abdul Aata
Meer Biige
Mbelamma
Nammarel
Yeewti
So it turns out Paris is a mecca for Awesome Tapes from Africa. There are shops selling North and West African music all over the place.
It also turns out I didn't need to go all the way to France to find this tape for sale: you can purchase it at iTunes. Considering how bananas this recording of laid back, exquisitely performed Pulaar instrumental ensemble music is....
Playing African tapes in Germany and France last couple weeks was great fun, I met so many enthusiastic and knowledge people. And many of them fucking dance. Thanks to everyone for helping make it a big success.
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ set with Sonido Chichadelico and my boy Professor DJ Rainstick via Cool Places Soundsystem at Zebulon in Williamsburg this Saturday, June 19 10pm-4am, free. Examine the flier Tony made, at your own risk.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Ibro Diabate Kéré Wali Gbaka
Face A
Kéré Wali Gbaka
Douba Diaby
Singue Nun
Bayi Balo
Face B
Dari Fe
Bantandjan
Vrai Ya
Si Go
Sida
Dealing in Mandingo matters from Guinea. The stoned-earnest look on the cassette cover isn't an act: this guy is killing it on some smooth-soaring-vocals-and-lovely-female-chorus-dancing-kora level. Diabate deserves the best from us listeners. Do the right thing and buy Ibro's record from the man.
Awesome Tapes from Africa will be in Germany this week, see prior post for dates. Big ups to the great people of Lyon, Marseilles and Paris who completely exceeded my expectations this past week.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
I was trying to post some music this week but it got all fucked up
So in the meantime I wanted to let you know about some Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ sets coming up:
June 3 Lyon at Obamo Café
June 4 Marseille at Le Polikarpov
June 5 Paris at Villette Sonique (@Parc de la Villette w/ Oneida, Secret Chiefs 3, Ganglians and Blues Control)
June 9 Berlin at Bar25
June 10 Cologne at A-Musik "Spätkauf"
June 11 Düsseldorf at Salon des Amateurs
Come say hello if you're nearby.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Baba Salah Borey
Face 1
Mo Futu
Tugu Tugu
Hidjaye
Haira
Afriki
Nooru
Face 2
Borey
Gollé
Afriki Mussow
Ne M'Envoulez Pas
Fleuve Niger
Takamba
If you hadn't been familiar with Baba Salah until now, today might be your lucky day.
Some Songhai friends I made around Timbuktu, Mali introduced me to Baba Salah's music. As I traveled the region between that town and Salah's hometown Gao, I heard a lot more on the radio. I had also seen him play a show: Salah's was one of the only interesting main stage performances at Festival au Desert that year, apart from Khaira Arby's (which pretty much changed my life). But I hadn't run into a Salah cassette until very recently, when Chris from Sahel Sounds dropped by Brooklyn for a visit, generously showering me in tapes from the desert's edge.
This is essentially really excellent pop music. Have a listen.
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ set as part of the always jammin Cool Places party @ Zebulon in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 15 (late-ish).
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Penny Penny Shaka Bundu
Side 1
Shichangani
Shibandza
Ndzihere Bhi
Dance Khomela
Side 2
Shaka Bundu
Zirmini
Milandu Bhe
Shichangani (Remix)
Penny Penny hails from 1994 South Africa. The tape contains simple yet deep synth-pop anthems that couldn't give a fuck if you thought they sounded corny at first. It's that kind of tape. And this music, a more pop-leaning side of Tsonga (or Shangaan) Disco, feels as if Fast Eddie hijacked the regional neo-traditional sounds. WBMX by way of Transvaal.
The world we live in now is an awesome one. For evidence look at this blog devoted entirely to Tsonga Disco. Follow the link for useful infos on artists like Penny Penny, who was fortunate enough to be born into a family of 68 children and 17 wives.
(Thanks to Wills and Tshepang for this cassette.)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thione Ballago Seck & le Raam Daan Allo Petit
Face A
Allo Petit
Abibatou
Manemi Gnoul
Lonase
Face B
Rassoul
Jaam La Paix
France
The La Force
Senegalese mbalax singer Thione Seck is really good. This 2001 recording is a perfect example, his unmistakable fluttery voice carried by relentless sabar drumming and interesting melodies. A lot of mbalax feels repetitive/dull to me but I am not mad at this album.
FYI: Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ set at this party at Rose Live Music in Williamsburg on Saturday, April 24.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Hamid Al Mou
Side 1
Side 2
Yowzers this is just what I needed right about now. Rhythmic magic, how these guys swing so deep in the pocket and so in concert with the brilliant singing. Pay particular attention to the female chorus. Holy shit.
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ set at wicked free party Treehouse this Thursday, April 15 at Little Field in Brooklyn with Raspberry Jones and Treeboy.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Shumba Ratshega Makhirikhiri
Face A
Dumelang
Masa
Sengweneu-gwen
Sananapo
Tsabama
Face B
Makhirikhiri
Bantaloia
Mmaamota
AIDS
Dikgafela
This stuff is a big deal in Botswana.
Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ sets coming up: BPM in Williamsburg on Saturday, April 3 with No Small Money Brass Band and Cake Shop on Monday, April 12 with my homies MI AMI plus
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sekouba Traore Walinyumadon Vol. 1
Face A
Bèki de la Dô
Walinyumadon
Dankoroba - Nianza
Face B
Chouyala Kaban
Dounouni
Nakama Konianba
Hunters' music from Mali par excellence. Buzzy, bluesy blackouts abound. The tape swings harder and rawer than most.
I bought this tape at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in DC, 2003... KEXP captured a performance there.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Black Nature and Heavy D Wumbanma
Side A
Nangbanyini
Sokoliki
Chelmi
Obaatumtum
Side B
Soomei Sonka
Wumbanma
Chilibu/Wubgibu
Azuhukanbe
It's been raining all day so I am not mad at bubbly rhythms and auto-tune right about now. Hiplife from Northern Ghana circa 2005.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Emperor Teddy Obinna Uwa Wu Paw-Paw
Side A
Onyegbula
Onye-Ugwu
Nsogbu-Uwa
Side B
Gwupiti Na Azu
Uwa Wu Paw-Paw
A great
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Hamdawa
Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Side B
Track 4
"Special Music Ganawa" indeed. Light some incense, put dark shades on the windows and dance all night to this solid entry in the pantheon of gnawa music from Morocco.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sourakata Koite
Side A
Seremende
Ha-Madi
Moussa
Kaira
Side B
Djonol
N'na
Dioula
Hadjiatu Mari n'Djaye
Perfection. Special Valentine's treat for lovers (of kora music).
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Iliss Ntmazirte
Side 1
Side 2
This comes from the aforementioned stash of Moroccan tapes I recently received. Purposeful, driving and (at times) stark. For lovers of all things violin, vocals and verve.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A.B. Crentsil and the Osookoo Stars
Side A
Ye Wo Adea Oye
Side B
Nawa To Be Husband
Only Your Voice, Julianna
Ehurisi
Angelina
Hard-to-find tape recording of an LP by one of the most prolific and influential of the great Ghanaian highlife personages.
My friend Aaron who hooked up this tape pointed out an interesting article from Ghana's Showbiz entertainment rag that talks about Crentsil's collabo with billion-time Ghana Music Award-winning hiplife star Obour.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Aby Ngana Diop Liital
Face A
Dieuleul-Dieuleul
Ndame
Yaye Penda Mbaye
Face B
Liital
Sapaly
Ndadje
In lieu of that new cassette deck I am posting something special, which was sent to me by a loyal reader. His laid back assurance that "it's a good tape" might be the understatement of the moment.
The first song conjures drum n' bass circa 1993 lurking in the shadows of the most brutal Senegalese sabar drums Dakar has to offer. And the rest of the tape just gets more astounding. Don't even get me started on Face B. All highly frenetic and joyous and brilliant.
This is the kind of tape for which I reserve a certain level of enthusiasm, one that is so good and left-field that I don't know whether to shout from the rooftops or bury the thing in my backyard.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
New Cassette Deck Is On The Way
In the meantime: I am packing up my tapes and heading to Europe this summer to play some music. Like me to join you somewhere? Contact me via the profile link in the upper-left.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Side 1
Side 2
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Empire Bakuba et Pepe Kalle Atinze Mwana Popi
Face A
Atinze Mwana Popi
Nadi Consoler Ngai
Face B
Andoya
Jeudi Noir
It's New York City, 2010 and I'm feeling it so far. Could be more or less exciting than New York City, 1989, when a dancing midget accompanied this band onstage, but the music is definitely still here in some form.
I wonder what was happening in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1989. I mean, apart from blissfully fearless future-facing dance hits like those of Pepe Kalle and his colleagues.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Ragheb Alame Albi Eshekha
Side 1
Side 2
Seasons greetings from all of us at Awesome Tapes from Africa.
This tape, some forthcoming tapes and this recent Jil Jilala post were kindly provided by Tom, who found them in Morocco. Ragheb Alame is a giant star from Lebanon, which is not in Africa. I'm feeling festive.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tigrean People's Liberation Front Tigray 90, Tigrean Revolutionary Songs no 27
Side A
Side B
This rare cassette from Tigray, Eritrea, which is part of a long series from the Tigrean People's Liberation Front, was "found in Muna's grandma's closet." I received it from Palm Wine, Italy, who asked that I note it's origin. Although the sound quality is not great—even by this site's meager standards—the tape is musically and historically fascinating so I thought I'd share.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Jil Jilala
Side 1
Side 2
Moroccan guys in the 70s who wanted to big up traditional music in a mainstream kind of way. Much of the music on this tape is gnawa in spirit, which really just means it's sublime, occasionally trance-inducing magic. The shadowy drum machine is killing me and therefore makes Jil Jilala's effort pretty major in my book.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Alhaji Yaya Zakori Fushien Kububua
Side 1
Fushien Kububua
Munfisu Sani
Ranan Fita Watan Million
Bandasiwa
Dunia Baiwa Nasa Ala Na Ba Kowa
Gyiwa Tafi Gabantaroko
Side 2
Dadin Dunia
Shege Nde Bagori
Bamei Yi She Alla
Komei Nade Iyaka
Satura Ne
Bakaina Faruba
So this is part-whatever in my ongoing obsession with music from northern Ghana. After a long while of admiring this tape I only just (like a few moments ago) realized this guy is probably the same as this gentlemen of an earlier post, with a slightly tweaked spelling. Do you see a resemblance? Looks kinda like the same guy, only on this cover he is wearing a hounds tooth shirt (instead of the cool jacket) with a tape cover design spiked with Islam green. Whatever the case, this to me sounds like nothing short of a thump-y beat trance manifesto in lo-fi.
Cool Places Sound System meets Awesome Tapes from Africa inna Zebulon style this Friday, December 11. Special guest DJ to boot.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Issa Bagayogo Sya
Face A
Sya
Gnangran
Kanadiankan
Djinew Nakan
Face B
Diarabi
Kouloun
Lanaya
Madomba
This cassette of atmospheric dance tracks from Malian kamele n'goni ninja Issa Bagayogo, who is very well known across the world, may not be for everyone. But I really like the way it's produced, you can call me a euro world beat enthusiast or whatever. I don't care. Go ahead and buy it at Amazon.
I will be DJing Awesome Tapes from Africa in Williamsburg on Dec 5 with King Expressers and Mandingo Ambassadors, details here.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Wulomei Kpabi
Side A
Kpabi
Aashola
Ataa
Odonkpoto
Side B
Ataa Oblanyo
Bijou
Esi Ekua
Awuma Yeli
People sometimes ask me why I do this blog, how did I get into African music, etc. I first heard this tape as a 19-year-old college student and it just destroyed me in ways I can't describe. Like some kind of junkie, I've been chasing the dragon ever since, and this is the awesome tape from Africa that started it all for me.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Shadia
Side 1
Side 2
Another smokey-sweet recording from this intriguing Egyptian diva. See also this other Shadia post.
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.
