STRINGS AND SADNESS

Traditional music in Guinea, Mali, Senegal is more nostalgic and sad than in Nigeria, Benin and Ghana. One of the reason might be the still strong influence of the fallen Malian empire and also I think that the traditional string instruments, the Kora and the N'goni, make a big difference and open the doors of deeper melodies. As an example I present you with two differents versions of "M'borin" where sadness triumphs over joy.

1977

Camayenne Sofa: "M'borin"

1996

Africando: "M'borin"

DECOLONISATION AND JOYNESS

The colonisation brought back brass instruments to Africa, a source of joy for many local orchestras

Let's hear two groovy recordings from Guinéa

1977 (live):

Simandou Jazz de Beyla:

"Bounika"

1980:

22 Band:

" Mousso la tintani"

A GUINEAN IN BENIN

This is a very special post for my Guinean's friend Mohbee Camara. Because I love his flow I decided to produce his first album in Benin 2005. "Ya foyi" is taken from this album. One year later, he produced himself his following album "Standing alone".I hope this post will make him known better because I think he really diserves it.

Speciale dédicasse pour toi mon pote Moh.

Mohbee Camara: "Ya foyi"

Mohbee Camara: "Standing alone"

PASSION (act 1)

If my friend Dj Soulpusher from Voodoo Funk is feeling sad and nostalgic, i offer him those glasses of sodhabi:

Clément Mélomé: "Angélina"

Blueky d'Almeida: "Les djos"

Emmanuel Gnassounou: "Gbè do dé ko"

I would like to talk especially about Sophie Edia. i used this title in my last documentary "Au coeur des théâtres" which I talk to you about later. Edia Sophie used to be a "Vidomégon": slave children...

Sophie Edia: "Adjanouvi"

MAH-LI

Mah Kouyaté Number 2 is one of my favorite Diva from Mali. She was born from a griot family whose chief was Kabinè Kouyaté. Those two titles from "Sumu" album are particulary "envoûtants".

Mah Kouyaté: "Badjourou"

Her guitarist and husband, Fimani, was one of Mali's most famous musician. The sounds taken from his guitar are rare and powerfull. Fimani died in 2007. His guitar sound was uniquely raw and powerfull.

Mah Kouyaté: "Mali Sadjo"