Alhaji Bai Konte (Documentary)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/alhaji-bai-konte-documentary/
The film, Alhaji Bai Konte (1978), depicts a day-in-the-life of the now-deceased Gambian Mandinka kora virtuoso, Alhaji Bai Konte, shot on location in Brikama, Gambia (plus one scene in Dakar, Senegal), West Africa.
Alhaji Bai Konte’s son, Dembo Konte, accompanies in the performance, and various family members and friends make cameo appearances. [...]
Franco & l’OK Jazz – Mado (Infidélité)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/franco-ok-jazz-mado/
“Mado” (Infidélité) is a classic from 1969, composed by bass player Céli Bitshou, sung by Franco, Youlou and Boyibanda.
Through the 1960s, Franco and O.K. Jazz toured regularly and recorded prolifically. By 1967, Franco was a co-leader of the band, with vocalist Vicky Longomba. When Vicky left in 1970, Franco became [...]
Orchestra Baobab – Pirates Choice
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestra-baobab-pirates-choice-full-album/
Réédité en 2001, puis en 2015 pour les 50 ans d’Orchestra Baobab, c’est l’occasion de redécouvrir Pirates Choice, enregistré à Dakar en 1982.
The Scorpions & Saif Abu Bakr – Nile Waves
https://amf.didiermary.fr/scorpions-saif-abu-bakr-nile-waves/
From the reissued “Jazz, Jazz Jazz” by The Scorpions with singer Saif Abu Bakr, a studio album recorded while the band was living in Kuwait.
Ameer “Sax” Nasser, who also later played the flute, was one of the bands founding members and was The Scorpions band leader from the early 1970s until they parted ways […]
The Kings of Benin Urban Groove
https://amf.didiermary.fr/the-kings-of-benin-urban-groove/
The album “The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80” is a compilation of songs by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, released in 2004 as a double vinyl LP.
Orchestre Poly Rythmo are from the Republic of Benin in West Africa and are a household name in their home country… Arguably West Africa’s best-kept musical secret, Orchestre Poly Rythmo […]
Amadou Balaké – Taximan (n’est pas gentil)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/amadou-balake-taximan-pas-gentil/
The Golden Voice from Burkina Faso in a track that has become a “classic”: Taximan (n’est pas gentil).
The song tells stories about his multiple troubles with cab drivers in Abidjan.
Like the previous post (Maitre Gazonga), most of this music was recorded in Abidjan during the 80s, where so many musicians from various countries […]
Orchestra Baobab – Specialist in All Styles
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestra-baobab-specialist-all-styles/
Specialist in All Styles is Orchestra Baobab’s 2002 comeback album, mixing Cuban and West African musics, Congolese rumba and Senegal’s own Mbalax, a subtle fusion, always rooted in traditional music.
#AfroLatino #Documentary #FullAlbum #LiveMusic #Sénégal #OldAfricanMusic
Umm Kulthum – أم كلثوم
https://amf.didiermary.fr/om-kalsoum-alf-leila-wa-leila/
Fatima Ibrahim es-Sayyid el-Beltagi (1898 – 1975), known by her stage name Umm Kulthum (Arabic: أم كلثوم, romanized: Umm Kulthūm, pronounced [ˈomme kælˈsuːm]; also spelled Oum Kalthoum, Om Koultoum, Om Kalsoum or other variants in English or other languages), was an Egyptian singer and film actress.
Om Kalsoum! They call her ’The Rose of the Nile’, […]
Orchestre National Mauritanien Ahl Nana
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-national-mauritanien-ahl-nana/
Ahl Nana, l’Orchestre National Mauritanien, in lost recordings that defined the modern sound of the Sahara.
This album contains the first recordings of modern music from the Sahara and mark the birth of the genre that is known in the West as ‘Desert Blues’ or ‘Desert Rock’. Ahl Nana changed the folk music of the […]
Dance with Ry-co Jazz
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dance-with-ry-co-jazz/
Ten Afro-Latin gems from the Congolese band Ry-co Jazz, recorded between 1961 and 1966 for the Disques Vogue series “Dansons avec…” (Dance with…). Ry-co Jazz was one of the leading combos during the heydays of Afro-Latin music in Central and West Africa. Their rhythmical and amusing play tempted European listeners and soon they recorded in […]
Oliver Mtukudzi – Shanje
https://amf.didiermary.fr/shanje-oliver-mtukudzi/
This post originally proposed a few versions of the song “Shanje”, meaning “Jealousy” if I’m not 100% wrong, but the video disappeared. So went back to Mtukudzi‘s version, from the eponym album in 1981. […]
William Onyeabor – Good Name
https://amf.didiermary.fr/william-onyeabor-good-name/
The side B on this 2-track album re-affirms the importance of having a good name “which is better than Silver and Gold”.
“No money, No money, No money, No money, No money can buy Good Name.” Can money buy your name? Money can’t buy mine.
Side ‘A’- “Let’s Fall In Love” preaches LOVE which is the […]
Music For A Revolution Vol 1 & 2
https://amf.didiermary.fr/music-revolution-syliphone-vol-1-2/
Music For A Revolution: Guinea’s Syliphone Recording Label, a compilation in 2 volumes with Balla et ses Balladins, Bembeya Jazz National, Keletigui et ses Tambourinis & many more…
– Vol 1 – 1967-1973
– Vol 2 – 1968-1980
On October 2 1958, after over 60 years of colonial rule, Guineans voted overwhelmingly for their independence, [...]
#60smusic #70smusic #AfroLatino #Compilation #Guinea #OldAfricanMusic
William Onyeabor – Why Go To War
https://amf.didiermary.fr/william-onyeabor-why-go-to-war/
Why go to war? Why not find peace, in this world?
Manu Dibango (1971)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/manu-dibango-1971/
The second album by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango on the Fiesta label, with strong Latin influences and Jo Tongo on guitars.
This album contains a cover of Bebey’s Idiba and the first version of Senga, later revisited in the US album “Makossa Man.”
#70smusic #Cameroon #FullAlbum #ManuDibango #OldAfricanMusic
Marcel Tjahé – SOS Mon Coeur
https://amf.didiermary.fr/marcel-tjahe-sos-mon-coeur/
Marcel Tjahé is one of the emblematic figures of Makossa, a musical genre that emerged in Cameroon in the 1980s. His career, marked by collaborations with seasoned musicians, played a role in the emergence and popularization of Makossa, with albums such as “Roue de secours” in 1982 and “Misso ma julietta” in 1983. […]
Youssou et Super Etoile de Dakar – Show !!!
https://amf.didiermary.fr/youssou-super-etoile-dakar-show/
A live show recorded in Abidjan, from a vinyl self released in 1983, with Youssou N’Dour et Le Super Etoile de Dakar.
See also: 2 compilations released in 2010 – Etoile de Dakar featuring Youssou N’Dour – Once Upon A Time In Senegal – The Birth Of Mbalax 1979-1981
#80smusic #FullAlbum #LiveMusic #Mbalax #Sénégal #Vinyl #YoussouNDour #OldAfricanMusic
Kiri Kanta – Sembé
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kiri-kanta-sembe/
Kiri Kanta (Aïna Sanni Dim Aïssatou) est une chanteuse tradi-moderne béninoise, née en 1956 à Parakou au nord du pays.
Elle se produit encore régulièrement sur scène, en particulier accompagnée du groupe Teriba, désormais en duo, [...]
Orlando Julius – Disco Hi-Life
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orlando-julius-disco-hi-life/
“Disco Hi-Life” is a 4-track vinyl released in 1979 “this international year of the child, with love, peace and happiness,” this last part being the title of a song and LP by Orlando Julius in 1978.
#Disco #Highlife #Nigeria #OrlandoJulius #Vinyl #OldAfricanMusic
Remembering Leonard Dembo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/remembering-leonard-dembo/
Death snatched the legendary artist Leonard Dembo (Leonard Tazvivinga Dembo, also known as Kwangwari Gwaindepi or Musoro We Nyoka), when he was only 37, on April 9, 1996, leaving a rich discography. As Zimbabwean guitarist and member of the band Barura Express, he incorporated traditional Shona sayings in his lyrics. His musical style was sungura-based, […]
Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks (1956-59)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/miriam-makeba-the-skylarks-1956-59/
The Skylarks were an all-woman South African vocal group, founded by Miriam Makeba in 1956. The original lineup comprised Makeba and Johanna Radebe, Mary Rabotapi, and Mummy Girl Nketle. Later, Helen Van Rensburg and Abigail Kubeka replaced Radebe. They played a blend of South African (mbombela, kwela) and Zulu music, jazz and jive/swing. [...]
Les Belgicains
https://amf.didiermary.fr/les-belgicains/
The compilation “Les Belgicains – Na Tango Ya Covadia 1964-1970” (‘Les Belgicains’ during the time of Covadia 1964-1970) tells the remarkable story of the first Congolese student orchestras in Belgium.
During that time Congolese referred to countrymen living in Belgium as ‘Les Belgicains’. The music presented on this compilation blew a new, fresh wind through […]
Johnny Bokelo & Conga Succès – Tambola na Mokili
https://amf.didiermary.fr/johnny-bokelo-conga-succes-tambola-na-mokili/
Johnny Bokelo, born Jean Bokelo Isenge in the (late) 1930s in then Belgian Congo, moved to Leopoldville in 1958 where he founded multiple orchestras, first with his elder brothers (Alberto Bosaba, Lokonda Mpoku aka Ondo-Ondo, Paul Ebengo Isenge aka Dewayon), then as a guitarist, composer and bandleader. After a long career in Rumba [...]
Space Echo (Cabo Verde)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/space-echo-cabo-verde/
Space Echo – The Mystery Behind the Cosmic Sound of Cabo Verde Finally Revealed!
A #MustRead story, from myth to reality...
In the spring of 1968 a cargo ship was preparing to leave the port of Baltimore with an important shipment of musical instruments. Its final destination was Rio De Janeiro, where the EMSE Exhibition (Exposição Mundial Do Son Eletrônico) was going […]
LÉVE LÉVE Vol. 1 & 2
https://amf.didiermary.fr/leve-leve-vol-1-2-sao-tome-principe/
2 compilations focusing on the golden age of São Tomé & Principe Sounds in the 70s and 80s.
The two Portuguese-speaking African islands of São Tomé & Principe, located in the Gulf of Guinea, created an unique music called Puxa : a refined mixture of various musical components from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. […]
