Cheikh Lô – Maame
https://amf.didiermary.fr/cheikh-lo-maame-2025/
Celebrating 50 years in music, Cheikh Lô returns in 2025 with his brand-new album “Maame.”After a decade long wait since his last studio album, the Senegalese legend returns.
Named after his spiritual guide Maame Massamba Ndiaye, the album is not only a tribute but a spiritual and political offering. [...]
Mwandishi Sextet Project
Herbie Hancock‘s three records released in 1971–73 later became known as the “Mwandishi” albums, so-called after a Swahili name Hancock sometimes used during this era (“Mwandishi” is Swahili for “writer”).
Back in the early 1970s when Jazz met Afrofuturism, Psychedelism and electronic experimentation. […]
Kin’Gongolo Kiniata
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kin-gongolo-kiniata/
Originaires des quartiers populaires de Kinshasa, les membres du groupe Kin’Gongolo Kiniata sont des champions de la débrouille. Ils fabriquent en effet leurs instruments avec des matériaux de récupération. Leur musique électro-live électrise le public. Un air de famille avec Jupiter & Okwess ou l’ancien Staff Benda Bilili…
Nana Benz du Togo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/nana-benz-du-togo/
Groupe togolais produit par Peter Solo (Vaudou Game), Nana Benz est un groupe afro-électro-féministe, qui propose un digital vaudou, rythmé, moderne et futuriste, sur une base instrumentale presque 100% organique et recyclée (au moins pour les percussionnistes). Il y a un côté très “CongoPunk” dans ces rythmiques et cette musique…
Leur nom se rapporte bien […]
Saha Gnawa - Soudani Manayou
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a14nLVZOYCc
Moroccan Gnawa paired with NYC jazz and groove. https://sahagnawa.bandcamp.com/album/saha-gnawa
Dobet Gnahoré – Paléa (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dobet-gnahore-palea-live/
“Widely considered one of contemporary African music’s most exciting new talents, Dobet Gnahoré has astounded audiences with her thrilling stage presence, appealing melodies and powerful singing.”
The Skatalites – El Pussycat Ska (Live)
Original and live (faster) version.
Celine Banza – For You (acoustic version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8hZpp24C_0
Abdou Diop – Monde (Live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/abdou-diop-nootee/
The album “Nootee” by Abdou Diop in 2012 is an acoustic, rootsy kind of Funk from Senegal.
This is a Senegalese recording, but not in the typical style of the Wolof musicians, who dominate public attention in the capital Dakar and the north of the country. It is a far more traditional, rural and largely […]
Thandi Ntuli – Blk Elijah
https://amf.didiermary.fr/thandi-ntuli-blk-elijah/
“Blk Elijah & The Children of Meroë” is the 5th release and 3rd studio album by South African Jazz pianist Thandi Ntuli.
Through her work over a hitherto 13-year career, Thandi has carved space for herself, and others seeking home, to fully exist – thereby firmly situating herself and the contemporary South African generation in […]
Kiala Nzavotunga – Je m’appelle Kiala
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kiala-nzavotunga-je-m-appelle-kiala/
Kiala Nzavotunga played guitar for Fela (with Egypt 80, between 1981 and 1983) and is one of the founders of Ghetto Blaster in Paris (1984-1989).
Kiala Nzavotunga is a singer/guitarist/songwriter born in Angola. After moving to Lagos as a young man, Kiala solidified his mark […]
Soul to Soul (1971)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/soul-to-soul-ghana-1971/
Je pensais vous avoir déjà parlé de ce fameux concert Soul to Soul, mais en fait il semble bien que je l’ai omis pour l’instant…
Quelques années après cet événement, il y eut le fameux “Soul Power” à Kinshasa en 1974. Celui-ci à Accra y ressemble un peu, mais sans le contexte des boxeurs… Ce concert […]
Iri Di – Waymala
https://amf.didiermary.fr/iri-di-waymala/
Iri Di is an Ethiopian-French self-taught musician, who navigates between afro rhythms, polyphonic singing, pentatonic and tonal harmonies.
Les Ballets Africains
https://amf.didiermary.fr/les-ballets-africains/
Old footage of Les Ballets Africains, the national dance company of Guinea.
Founded in Paris in 1952 by Keita Fodeba, it’s composed of dancers and acrobats (athletes!) with a full accompanying traditional band (balafon, percussions, Kora…) and plenty of djembefolas.
They’re still active, although less & less outside Guinea…
The video shows them performing for the […]
Adama Yalomba – Live
https://amf.didiermary.fr/adama-yalomba-live-2007/
Adama Yalomba is a singer, composer, and instrumentalist (guitar, n’goni, dan).
He learnt to play the dan (or n’dan) from his father. Adama Yalomba was hailed as the next great Malian superstar after his impressive contribution to the 2003 Festival in the Desert album and his third solo album is fully geared to making those […]
Hugh Masekela – Grazing in the Grass (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/hugh-masekela-grazing-grass/
Grazing in the Grass for the Fifa Worldcup closing ceremony in 2010. For those who like a lot of cowbells in their music…
The song is found on Masekela‘s 8th studio album: “The Promise of a Future” in 1968. […]
Dr Victor Olaiya – Ilu Le O! (Country Hard O!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKieG5tj5Wc
More on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/victor-olaiya-all-stars/
Mwandishi Sextet Project
Afrofuturism & psychedelism in the 70s, with Herbie Hancock.
KOKOKO!
https://amf.didiermary.fr/azo-toke-kokoko/
KOKOKO! is an offshoot of Fulu Miziki Kolektiv, with French producer Débruit. Electronic music direct from Congo, mixing standard instruments with homemade ones.
Tal National – Claire (Zoy Zoy)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tal-national-claire-zoy-zoy/
From an album released in 2015, Tal National offers their “very Rock ‘n Roll” vision of music from Niger.
The songs on Zoy Zoy are a mix of traditionals and originals, and they are intense. They are extraordinarily sophisticated. The band speak French, but use the expression “very rock and roll” quite seriously, implying their […]
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
https://amf.didiermary.fr/chief-stephen-osita-osadebe-nigerian-tv/
Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe had his own show on Nigerian TV in the late 80s, here singing the classic “Osondi Owendi” (1984) with his Nigerian Sound Makers.
His career spanned over 40 years, and he is one of the best known Igbo highlife musicians.
“Osadebe succeeded in breaking away from the conventional big band format established […]
Zawadi Yamungu - Ngimuhle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeQ_T5JFJU
"The song is an affirmation to women of all shapes and sizes."
Her stage name (Zawadi Yamungu) is a Swahili name meaning Gift from God. She plays the Zulu uMakhweyana or Ugubhu bows.
Dorothy Masuka – Nhingirikiri / Khawuleza
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dorothy-masuka-nhingirikiri/
Dorothy Masuka, South African/Zimbabwean veteran jazz singer, performing at a memorial service in honour of jazz maestro Hugh Masekela.
Born 3 September 1935, in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), she died 23 February 2019, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Super Mama Djombo – Luta Kana Maina #1
https://amf.didiermary.fr/super-mama-djombo-luta-kana-maina/
“Luta Kana Maina n°1” is from album “Na Cambança” by Super Mama Djombo at the end of the 70s.
Super Mama Djombo is a band from Guinea-Bissau who sing in Guinea-Bissau Creole. The band was formed in the mid-1960s, at a Boy Scout camp, when the members were only children (the youngest was six years […]
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sibusiso-mash-mashiloane/
Pianist Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane is a prolific artist whose academic credentials speak volume on the kind of discipline and passion he has for music. After getting his master’s degree in Jazz Performance and graduating Cum Laude from the University of KwaZulu Natal, he is now on his way to become an integral performer within the South […]
