Djali Madi Tounkara & Rail Band du Mali (1979)

(Kosmo KS230).

This tape is a senegalese 1983 reedition of a rare malian LP released in 1979 by Disco Stock (DS7918).

Dieuf-Dieul de Thies (Unreleased senegalese sounds from early 80s)

(TRLP017).

An obscure 80s band from Thies in Senegal have just been brought back to life by label Teranga Beat. Dieuf-Dieul played from 1979 to 1982, but it appears their music never have chance to be released on a proper vinyl nor tape album until today. That's why i found interesting to present this record on Muzzicaltrips and to discuss with Teranga Beat Label founder, about these recordings and amazing piece of senegalese musical heritage.

Dieuf-Dieul was run by Pape "Abdou Aziz" Seck, ex member of Guelewar from Gambia,  not to be mismatched with  70s figure Pape "Serigne" Seck (from Star Jazz de Saint Louis, Star Band de Dakar, Number One du Senegal). To have an idea of  his carreer, Pape Seck played guitar in following bands:

Meeting with Lansiné Kouyate and David Neerman (Afrojazz, 2012)

Kouyate-Neerman, Palmwine Mandingo Party, Nuits Sonores 2012.

This unique musical experience is based on a duo: Kouyate, balafon player from Kangaba in Mali, and Neerman a french vibraphone player. More than a cultural meeting, the dialogue between this two cousin instruments is here pretext to creative explorations in rhythm and melody. Taking roots in both jazz and mandingo tradition, the created atmosphere is definitely modern: although recorded in an analog studio, the second album integrates the balafon with breaks and vibraphone effects research. The title "Skycrapers and Deities" reflects perfectly the approach, linking up modernism and tradition, concrete and mysticism, human and god. 

L'Orchestre Super Rail Band International (2 LPs recorded in Abidjan, 1979)

(Sacodis LS-24).

(Sacodis LS-25).

Mali Blues - Lieve Joris (1996)

Boubacar Traore played this week in Paris, so it reminded me this book. Leive Joris had opportunity to spend time with Boubacar Traore in the late 90s, which led to this novels book including "Je chanterai pour toi" (I'll sing for you). This enlighten context and life of this malian musician surnamed "Kar Kar".

Ahmadou Kourouma - Les Soleils des Independances (1970)

A special post for this record, taking part of a valuable RFI collection focussed on black literature. Ivorian writer Ahmadou Kourouma (+2003) explains his approach and background, particularly on one of his most famous novel published in 1968: The Suns of Independences, which corresponds to this confused post-colonial period where many changes took place but also many disillusions appeared.

Balla Onivogui - Paulette (Orchestra Balla et ses Balladins from Guinea, 1980)

(Syliphone SLP75).

To recall Balla Onivogui's memory who left us few time ago (march 2011), lets share one of Balla et ses Balladins late LP from 1980.

Cora Funk (Fred Wesley and Lamine Conte, 1978)

(Eboni ER-00005).

The introduction of cora and djembe in an american disco-funk production is not always easy to achieve coherently, but here the blend of influences works pretty well, with strong african influence, thanks to top class musicians involved:

Soleya Mama & le Waatoo Sita - vol. 1 (Senegal, 1976)

(SAF 50028).

Waatoo Sita means "it is time" in Mandingo...

Unidentified "jungle sax jam" recordings from Casamance (Senegal, 2000s)

Spending entire afternoons listening to music in small music shops, you can sometime fall into crazy sounds that even the guy from the shop is not able to name. This track comes from one of these CDs...

Balla et ses Balladins - Wilikabo (Guinea, 1975)

(SYL 572).

Balla Onivogui (trumpet player and director) was one of the great figures of Guinea "Authenticité" era, recording first with Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée and then with his group Les Balladins for governement's label Syliphone. 

Les Espoirs de Coronthie (Tradition and modernity in Guinea, 2010)

I had opportunity to meet Les Espoirs de Coronthie last week as they were having a concert at Satellit Café (Paris).

Musique Sans Paroles (Afro jazz&folk from Guinea, 1976)

(Syliphone, SLP 54).

Let's stay around Conakry... This "Musique Sans Paroles" (music without lyrics) LP is not the most representative of Guinean music from the Syliphone state label from the 70s, but one of my favorites.

Guinée An10/2010 (Guinea, 60s)

(SLP 9).

I had a nice surprise discovering at the end of Syliphone's Guinée An X a track reminding the famous "Armée Guinnéenne" from Bembeya Jazz National.