Above:
Bamba Bembele on percussion
THE
SUPER RAIL BAND
Formed in 1969 as a government sponsored 16 piece group Rail
Band Du Buffet Hotel De La Gare were to give visitors
or dignitaries alighting at the main station of the capital Bamako
a taste of authentic Malian music. Indeed they can rightly claim
to be the first West African band to extensively reinterpret traditional
music in a modern style with Western instrumentation. To be sure,
the Afro-latino style had been around since the 50s, especially
in neighbouring Senegal, but Rail Band introduced an electrified
sound to Manding music fusing driving brass, local rhythms, melodies
and vocal stylings, electric guitar and keyboards together with
blues, jazz, Cuban and other tropical elements to create a unique,
exciting blend.
It featured musicians who were later to attain international success
such as Guinean guitarist Kante Manfila, Mory Kante and not the
least Salif Keita, who was the band’s lead singer for the
first three years. Those listening to the searing, spiritually
intense and musically sophisticated sounds that Salif and the
band created between 1970 and 1972 may find it incredible that
a musical revolution was being fomented in the garden of a run
down railway station, but it’s true. When vocalist Mory
Kante joined the group during the singer’s brief absence,
a rift, hotly denied by Salif supposedly caused the latter’s
defection to Les Ambassadeurs, the second electric group in Mali
to follow Rail Band’s lead.
Shortly after President Traore organised a music concert at the
National Stadium in order to promote a national literacy programme.
The main drawcards were these two bands…Mory Kante and the
Rail Band versus Salif Keita and Les Ambassadeurs. The frenzied
audience response to both was such that the contest was considered
a draw. The winner was West African music as this concert is considered
to be a crucial turning point in inspiring the next generation
of musicians to seek modernity within the vast realm of Malian
tradition. It is a philosophy that Super Rail band have adhered
to until this very day.
Selected discography;
Le Super Rail Band De Bamako-New Dimensions In Rail Culture
(Globestyle UK)- featuring Djelimady Tounkara’s
swinging guitar and mellow vocalist Lafia Diabate.
Salif Keita- Essential Africa- The Best Of The Early Years (Wrasse
Records) – backing bands are split between Rail Band and
Les Ambassadeurs. The astonishing vocals of Salif Keita, Kante
Manfila’s scintillating guitarwork and the stunning compositions
make this one absolutely essential. Sound is acceptable but any
sonic shortcomings will be blown away. African genius everywhere.
TRENDOIDS BEWARE. Musical Quality does not equal to Production
Quality (Diaspora theorem #1)
Super Rail Band – Mansa- this 1995 release
contains the excellent rocking guitar of founding member Djelimady
Tounkara who together with several other members of the same line-up
will be touring Australia in Jan 2005. It strikes a lovely balance
between their classic, spiritually energized sound and modern
production values.
Richard
Jasiutowicz was able to conduct a brief interview with percussionist
Bamba Bembele just prior to the band's Australian tour.
RJ:
The Super Rail Band were the first group to electrify traditional
African music. Do you think that the internationalisation of Malian
music and African music in general has the effect of destabilising
this music?
Bamba: The influence of foreign music has its consequences, but
it is necessary to struggle in order to cast your cultural identity
in relief and rediscover your authentic balance.
RJ:Salif Keita, Mory Kante and Kante Manfila have all chosen different
musical paths. Does the group ever think about reuniting with
them.
Bamba: Yes, we would love to and they would too I believe, but
it is going to be difficult because we no longer live in the same
country.
RJ:Is
the Hotel du Buffet de la Gare still a live music venue today?
Bamba:No; it’s rare nowadays and there aren’t too
many places in Bamako where groups can play every week.
RJ:
If one were to visit Bamako today where could we find the best
Malian music?
Bamba:There are too many to list because Bamako numbers almost
one million inhabitants! However the best clubs are L’Elysee,
Le Pied de la Colline, le Sanqoi and le Komoquel.
RJ: What is most happenning on the music scene today in Mali?
Bamba: Afro-cuban,
Zouglou from the Ivory Coast and Mandingan blues-rock.
RJ: Does traditional music still maintain an important role within
Malian society?
Bamba: It is always thriving because of ceremonies, baptisms,
marriages etc.
RJ:Who
will be performing in Australia during the Sydney Festival?
Bamba: These are the usual members of the group except for Damory
Kouyate who has had an accident, but there will still be 8 of
us on stage as usual.
Djelipmady Tounkara / Guitare lead, Maguette Diop / batterie (drums),
Samba Cissoko /Chant (vocal), Fotigui Keite / Basse, Moussa Diabate
/ Guitare, Mountaga Diabate / Chant, Lassana Bagayoko / Percussions
and Mopi Bamba Dembele / Mc percussions
RJ:
Is there a new release coming soon?
Bamba: "Roui" will be released in 2005 on a French label.
RJ:
What musicians influence the group these days?
Bamba:Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita, Alpha Blondy, Oumou Sangare,
Super Rail Band and Mandingo music, Malinke music and the blues.
See
the Super Rail Band as part of the Sydney Festival January 2005.
