Mory Kanté - A Paris (1984)

When Mory Kanté moved to France in 1984, it took him little time to establish himself in the "world music" milieu with this album. Descended from a Guinean griot family, Kanté began his pop music ascent in the prestigious Rail Band of Bamako. He became the lead singer when Salif Keita left to form Les Ambassadeurs, and took up and mastered the kora.

Paris allowed Kanté to express his electric self, and his mandé roots are quite well hidden on half the songs. In truth, this is not one of my favorite records, though I do like the vibrant version of the classic "Yéké Yéké." See what you think. . .

Enjoy!

Jali Musa Jawara - Yasimika (1990)

Proclaimed and generally acknowledged as one of the classic recordings from Africa, this exquisitely recorded gem has the power to haunt for decades. Guinean kora master Jali Musa Jawara (Diawara) headlines this record, though his kora is set amidst equally skilled balafon from Jalimrijan Kuyateh and two other Kuyatehs, Lamine and Kissiman, on guitar. Jawara's singing is passionate and beautiful, and perfectly balanced with the female chorus.

Drawn from two of the most legendary griot families, this ensemble provided a revelatory introduction to Manding love and praise songs, when it was first released in 1983. This 1990 reissue on Hannibal spread it throughout the world. Apparently it was remastered a few years ago for a second CD release, but nothing in this original release needs any tampering whatsoever.

Enjoy!

Fatala - Fatala (1988)

Returning from a couple of weeks of hiding from the cyber world, in a more verdant environment, today I bring you a tasty dose of mandé percussion with the Guinean group Fatala. Recorded in the pristine Real World Studios, this album has long been a favorite of mine.

Led by percussion master Yacouba Camara, the nine tracks are dominated by intricate and compelling drumming, but the singing of Mabinty Sahko is noteworthy, despite being mixed underneath the percussion. The timeless classic "Yékéké is given a refreshing roots interpretation, but the love song "Boke" is perhaps the strongest and best-balanced production on the album.

This record was rereleased on CD in 1993, as Gongoma Times, which still may be available, but this is the original release.

Enjoy!

Bembeya Jazz National - "Yekeke" (1986)

The third and final of this phenomenal series: Exquisite singing, luscious horns, dreamy and driving guitars, the timeless Malinke classic "Yekeke," and a lovely, nostalgic revisit to Cuban roots in "Yarabi." This album has it all.

If you would like a comprehensive collection of Bembeya Jazz National during the golden years, I recommend searching for Bembeya Jazz National: The Syliphone Years, a double-CD released by Sterns Africa a few years ago. But here is your chance to complete this superb collection from a golden era.

At least one friend had problems with this download file that might be a name-sensitivity issue with a particular browser/operating system combination, so I've re-upped this and the previous post's files.

Enjoy (new link)!

Bembeya Jazz National - "Moussokoro" (1986)

After posting yesterday's tasty slice of Bembeya Jazz National, I was in the mood to listen to the other recordings done during the same Paris sessions. I thought you might be too, so decided instant gratification would satisfy us both! Besides, I thought this set of three albums would look great on the site, grouped together as they should be.

It's a pity that no information is provided on the albums concerning the many musicians who made these great albums, apart from Sekou Diabaté. I believe the lead singer is the fantastically talented Sekouba Diabaté, but who are the delicious horns, for example? Please contribute information if you can.

Enjoy (new link)!

Bembeya Jazz National (1985)

Bembeya Jazz National is an extraordinary band that helped define modern Guinean music during the fecund decade beginning in the late '60s. The untimely death of its leader and great singer, Aboubacar Camara, nearly killed the band, yet it surfaced with new vigor on this 1985 release, under the leadership of brilliant guitarist Sékou Diabaté. "Diamond Fingers", as he became known worldwide, is prominent on this excellent record.

This is another of the many Bembeya Jazz recordings you will eventually find on this site. It comes courtesy of my long-time, co-fanatic, music-collecting friend, J.D.

Enjoy!

Bembeya Jazz National - Special Recueil-Souvenir (1977)

Technical problems solved, here is a wonderful album by Bembeya Jazz National. This is the reissue of a 1974 album released the year after the band's great singer and leader Aboubacar Demba Camara died in a "stupid" traffic accident in Dakar. With two tracks changed from the original, this tribute album is packed with Camara's greatest hits. Some of the songs have been collected on compilations, particularly in the excellent Stern's Africa collection Bembeya Jazz National: The Syliphone Years, which sadly appears to be out-of-print. There is a detailed Bembeya Jazz discography here, in case you are interested.

At over 53 minutes, this album is big in every way with the luscious swing of one of West Africa's finest big bands, at its prime.

Enjoy!