Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week #8 – Maliyo
Today we return to Mali for a tune from the inimitable Rail Band, one of the finest and most notable of the government-sponsored Post-Colonial West African bands, featuring long-time band member Djelimady Tounkara on guitar. The Rail Band (the full name of which is the Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel at the Gare [...]
Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week # 7 – Doublé Doublé
Today we move back southward to Zaire (present-day DRC) for what is truly one of the finest soukous tracks of the 1980′s, “Doublé Doublé” by Nyboma (whose full name is apparently Nyboma Mwan Dido). Throughout his career, Nyboma has been known for his silky-smooth vocals, and this song is no exception. He began singing with [...]
Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week #6 – Boibini
Today we move northward, to Timbuktu, Mali, to hear the “Nightengale of the Desert,” Khaira Arby. She is a very popular singer in Mali, though relatively unknown elsewhere in the world, as her recordings haven’t been released in Europe or the U.S. She was born in Agouni, in the desert north of Timbuktu and is [...]
Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week #5 – Sankaran ka – Guest post by Kane Mathis
Much of my interest in and knowledge of West African music is thanks to my good friend Kane Mathis, who plays kora in my kora band and is, I believe, one of our country’s experts on Mandinka music. I asked if he wanted to guest post, and so this week’s Post-Colonial African Groove is courtesy [...]
Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week #4 – Hwahwa
This week we move even farther south, to Zimbabwe, to feature one of my favorite tunes by “the Lion of Zimbabwe,” Thomas Mapfumo. Thomas has been a great innovator in Zimbabwean pop throughout his long career. He was one of the originators of “chimurenga” music, a style that transposed the original mbira music of the [...]
Post-Colonial African Groove of the Week #3 – Tantine
Well, I’m a day behind, though yesterday’s post generated enough attention that it was clearly worth it! Thanks Darcy! Moving along with the series, I have chosen for this week one of my favorite songs out of the D.R.C. (back when it was Zaire), by the “James Brown of Africa”, Francois Luambo Makaidi (known as [...]
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