In late 1989 my partner Jess and I prepared to go see
Mbilia Bel at a Bay Area club. We gently filled our infant first son's ears with cotton, and then swaddled his head in bright African cloth. He fit perfectly into a large New Guinean string bag in a miniature sleeping bag. At the dynamic gig we took turns holding him, dancing as well as we could. Many of the songs we danced to are on this album, which was new at the time, published in the U.S. It brings me bittersweet memories, as life's changes can transform memory.
I bought this record at the gig, and came to love the song
Manzil-Manzil. In fact the whole album is deeply imbedded in my core.
It finally made it to CD in Europe, ten or so years ago, and perhaps it still is available there. I urge you you search for it. Meanwhile I offer this gem to the rest of the world because it should not be missed: Neither the music, nor the great cover picture that did not make the digital release.
7 comments:
A note on the CD version... I bought a copy in 1999, one of the Ngoyarto series, NG 016. The spine calls it New Look though the cover has the exact same wording as the LP. It also has the same picture of Mbilia as the LP, but moved to the left side of the design.
Thanks for the info! It may help people find the CD Of course, the picture is tiny on the CD booklet. "New Look" is also on the record sleeve, but not as the title.
Thanks for sharing. Apurva from Pune, India.
My pleasure, Apurva. Greetings from Alaska!
such a beautiful collection on this blog. i am very happy to find this. thank you RCnx
Doug, if you come back to these comments: Look closely! The photos are different on the original LP and the re-released CD.
My pleasure, swami.
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