Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week #12 – Alphabetisation
Posted on | August 6, 2010 | No Comments
Today we move to the golden age of Guinean post-colonial music for a great track by the Horoya Band courtesy of worldservice. In 1958, Guinea was the first West African country to gain independence from France. They voted for immediate independence and the cessation of all economic assistance from France, and this decision and their first president, Amadou Sekou Toure, were much lauded around the continent for this decision. Unfortunately as we know, it has not played out so well for Guinea in subsequent years, but immediately after independence, like many West African countries, they went through a period of nationalization where traditional and modern Guinean cultural pursuits were highly encouraged and subsidized by the government, leading to a great collection of recordings from the period, in great contrast to the highly racist and despotic policies of Sekou Toure in regards to other elements of traditional culture, notably religion.
The government created a record label, Sylliphone, which documented the many federal and national dance bands from various regions of the country playing modern dance music influenced by traditional Mandinka and Fula music, Congolese and Ghanain guitar styles, and of course Cuban music, which was especially encouraged by the new socialist government who viewed Cuba as a sort of socalist brethren nation.
There were five “national” orchestras, including the great Bembeya Jazz National and Balla et ses Balladins (see an earlier “Post-Colonial Groove” for a track from them), and 30 “federal” orchestras from various regions of Guinea. This album “Trio Federal de Pointe” focused on three of those federal orchestras, including the great Horoya Band of Kankan, a region which also produced the great 22 Band, which I will feature in an upcoming “groove.”
According to the liner notes, this track, “Alphabetisation”, “is dedicated to the national alphabetisation movement started by the Guinean government. The Horoya Band exhorts everyone, with a beautiful melody, to learn to read and write. An irresistible invitation!” This is indeed an irresistible tune, featuring a great Mandinka guitar solo (see this earlier discussion on that topic) and a well recorded balafon prominently featured in the mix. It is the textbook distinctive and optimistic sound of post-independence Guinea. Click to listen:
Enjoy the weekend!
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