GUINEA: "LAND OF THE BLACKS"

Painting from Gwenaelle Trolez

The name Guinea comes from the Berber term "aginaw" via Portugese; it originally meant "black" or, in context, "land of the blacks".

For those who did not manage to catch those "Syliphone Discotheques" on Black man land's blog, here is my selection:

Balla et ses Balladins:

"Ancien combattant "

Kaloum Star: "Maliba"

Camayenne Sofa: "Manalaby"

Super Boiro Band: "Daba"

Horoya Band: "Kulumba"

Horoya Band: "Aristes"

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"