Nov 1 2015

African Explosion

By David Byrne

Song Artist Purchase
Shégué Mbongwana Star Amazon
Maravilhoso 1972 Paulo Flores Amazon
Silfanu Auma Were Kery & George Ramogi Discogs
Kaani Tal National Amazon
Mona Ki Ngi Xica Bonga Amazon
Muzina Tabu Ley Rochereau Et L'Orchestre Afrisa International Amazon
Ndim Nawe Simphiwe Dana Amazon
Yabis Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars Amazon
Exile Nuru Kane Amazon
Imanin Bas Zihoun Tamikrest Amazon
Exil-Ley Tabu Ley Rochereau Amazon
Salalé Vum Vum Amazon
Sowa Fatoumata Diawara Amazon
You Can Run Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Amazon
Tu As Dit Que Tabu Ley Rochereau Amazon
Bakonoba Fatoumata Diawara Amazon
Bambala Nuru Kane Amazon
Sodade Césaria Évora Amazon
Camarada Kill Bill Paulo Flores Amazon
Kèlè Fatoumata Diawara Amazon
N'Zambi André Mingas Amazon
Noma Ungahamba The Soil Amazon
Bô Legá Cacô Modê Bô África Negra Amazon
Sarkin Fada Tal National Amazon
Joash Okowa Victoria Revolution '73 Discogs
N Gana Waldemar Bastos Amazon
Super Étoile Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal Amazon
Kountche Tal National Amazon
Suzanna Mbongwana Star Amazon
Tuit Tuit Rokia Traoré Amazon
Tulipa Negra Tulipa Negra Amazon
Amor Divino Bana & Paulino Vieira Discogs
Andinanto The Soil Amazon
Kala Mbongwana Star Amazon
Rumba Nza Tukiné Paulo Flores Amazon
Rosinha Livity Amazon
Luís di Kandinha Pedro Ramos Amazon
Mkhuluwa The Soil Amazon
Hamba Uyosebenza [feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo] (Radio Edit) The Soil Amazon
Joseph Ochola Ugambe Jazz Discogs
Mamã África Dany Silva Amazon
Owiti Otiende Opondo Mugoye Discogs
Sithi Shwele Choir Invisible - The Desmond & Leah Tutu Peace Choir Amazon

November Radio is a collection of new and old recordings from Africa. No artists from the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa here; these are mostly artists south of the equator. Even though the selection is somewhat limited, there is still an incredible variety—I sense that these African acts are listening to and aware of things going on all over the place. There were always influences—Cuban rumba and gospel choirs, for example—but now it’s almost impossible to determine what, in fact, those influences are! It’s an explosion… in a good way. Below are some photos and information about a couple of the acts featured in this mix.


The Soil
Photo of The Soil standing around a microphone

The Soil is a South African vocal group. There used to be 25+ members but now there are just four—and one of them is God. It's really beautiful and inventive stuff that takes the South African vocal tradition to a whole new place.


Paulo Flores
Photo of Paulo Flores

There are a few Angolan and other Luso-African musicians here—Paulo Flores is one I didn’t know about until recently… I think that I might have read about him on Ned Sublette’s blog. His music is hard to classify and often about Angolan politics, the war, and corruption. Paulo performed in New York City this summer, at Le Poisson Rouge.


Mbongwana Star
Photo of Mbongwana Star

Mbongwana Star are from Congo and, amazingly, this is their first full length album, produced by a French producer and mixer named Doctor L. Mbongwana Star offers a mix of punk(!), funk, Congolese styles—you name it. One track even has the sound of the televisions that were playing in the background during the recording.


Taj National
Photo of Taj National

Taj National are from Niger and they synthesize about 3 different regional styles into something amazing.

DB
New York City

Nov 1 2015

African Explosion

By David Byrne

Song Artist Purchase
Shégué Mbongwana Star Amazon
Maravilhoso 1972 Paulo Flores Amazon
Silfanu Auma Were Kery & George Ramogi Discogs
Kaani Tal National Amazon
Mona Ki Ngi Xica Bonga Amazon
Muzina Tabu Ley Rochereau Et L'Orchestre Afrisa International Amazon
Ndim Nawe Simphiwe Dana Amazon
Yabis Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars Amazon
Exile Nuru Kane Amazon
Imanin Bas Zihoun Tamikrest Amazon
Exil-Ley Tabu Ley Rochereau Amazon
Salalé Vum Vum Amazon
Sowa Fatoumata Diawara Amazon
You Can Run Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Amazon
Tu As Dit Que Tabu Ley Rochereau Amazon
Bakonoba Fatoumata Diawara Amazon
Bambala Nuru Kane Amazon
Sodade Césaria Évora Amazon
Camarada Kill Bill Paulo Flores Amazon
Kèlè Fatoumata Diawara Amazon
N'Zambi André Mingas Amazon
Noma Ungahamba The Soil Amazon
Bô Legá Cacô Modê Bô África Negra Amazon
Sarkin Fada Tal National Amazon
Joash Okowa Victoria Revolution '73 Discogs
N Gana Waldemar Bastos Amazon
Super Étoile Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal Amazon
Kountche Tal National Amazon
Suzanna Mbongwana Star Amazon
Tuit Tuit Rokia Traoré Amazon
Tulipa Negra Tulipa Negra Amazon
Amor Divino Bana & Paulino Vieira Discogs
Andinanto The Soil Amazon
Kala Mbongwana Star Amazon
Rumba Nza Tukiné Paulo Flores Amazon
Rosinha Livity Amazon
Luís di Kandinha Pedro Ramos Amazon
Mkhuluwa The Soil Amazon
Hamba Uyosebenza [feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo] (Radio Edit) The Soil Amazon
Joseph Ochola Ugambe Jazz Discogs
Mamã África Dany Silva Amazon
Owiti Otiende Opondo Mugoye Discogs
Sithi Shwele Choir Invisible - The Desmond & Leah Tutu Peace Choir Amazon

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