last Christmas my review and mix of the past year represented the fertile music of South Africa, this year Soul Safari criss-crosses the whole continent in search of music treasures.
From Sub-Saharan Africa up to Algeria, with the accent on the stringed instrument; guitar, cora, the oud, sekhankula and the Nguni string bow. And poetic stories, in words and mood.
Traditional griot music meets the seductive charm from Algeria, cora from Senegal by Bakary Sissoko and Daouda Diabaté blends seamlessly with pure guitar poetry from Francis Bebey…a Nguni Christmas song by Princess Constance Magogo, jazz & happy Jive from South Africa, Congolese soukous and rhumba by Orchestre Loga, Nigerian juju dub from Dele Abiodun.
A surprising discovery this year was this album from 1984, ‘Très Fâché, Très Fâché‘ by guitar player and singer Rémi Sah’lomon et Le Matanga from Brazzaville, Congo. Rémi was bassist, singer of varieties, arranger of the National Youth Orchestra of Congo, and at the same time the second bassist in L’ Orchestra Bantou. He made his debut in L’Orchestra Siza Kotoko Ya Gaby. Great soukous tracks on this album!
A selection of recent finds from the past year mixed with a few timeless classics from the Soul Safari archives. Now, what more can one wish for the Yuletide season?
01. Francis Bebey -Jesu, que ma joie demeure
02. P. Ben Mouhamed & M. Idir -A Vava Inou Va
03. Bakary Sissoko & Daouda Diabaté -Diaka
04. Princess Constance Magogo KaDinuzulu -Bambulal’ uJesu yamaJuda (The Crucified Jesus of the Jews)
05. Raisse Omar Ouhrouche -M’sak Salkhir Awali Ghetella Nite
06. Remi Sah’lomon et le Matanga -Africa Matanga
07. Akendenuge -Aiyan
08. Vicky & L’Orchestre OK Jazz -Mwana Ponaka
09. Opic 17 -Orchestre Lago -Okoyoka Eloko Pona Zuwa
10. Mthunzini Girls -Uyangibiza
11. Elias Mathebula & The Chivani Sisters -Ntela A Tingangeni
12. Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje -Omzala Bakho
13. Dele Abiodun -Confrontation Adawa Super Dub
Yuletide Griots Riot / DivShare
Happy Holidays!