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Scroll down for Idrissa Soumaora, Boubacar Traore, Kings of Highlife, Music of the Sudan, Oliver Mtukudzi, Pape Sirinam, Seckouo Keita, King Sunny Ade, Kanda Bongo Man & Salif Keita...

SUPER RAIL BAND de BAMAKO
Formed in 1969 as a government sponsored 16 pce 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. Click on the image for more (pic: Bamba Bembele - courtesy of Sydney Festival)

Oumou Sangare - Moussoulou (World Circuit)

Richard Jasiutowicz reviews the latest release by the Malian diva... click on the image for the review.

"FUNK IS IN THE BLOOD"
Funky Africa comes to Australia in the form of Afro-Moses. He talked to us about his unique sound and being known as "The African James Brown" as a teenager...more

Reviews

	Women of Africa (Putumayo) On this joyful and uplifting collection of some of Africa’s prominent female vocalists, Putumayo got the mix right once again. “Women of Africa” is not definitive but certainly indicative... click on the CD for a full review.
	A new voice from West Africa, but in reality an old one that was an active participant in the evolution of the modern Malian sound is that of Idrissa Soumaoro. Idrissa left Les Ambassadeurs, the seminal band led by Salif Keita in the 70s, to raise a family. Kote (Wrasse Records) recorded in 2003 is his first album.
	Another Malian musician who took a long sabbatical from music is singer/guitarist Boubacar Traore. Initially a popular performer widely heard on Malian radio in the early 60s he too was forced to work at a variety of jobs in order to support his family.
	Since the rise in popularity of West African music, and Malian music in particular, there have been many excellent compilations. In "Mali Lolo' (Smithsonian Folkways) each of the 16 songs has been skilfully selected by John Kertzer with assistance from the Smithsonian staff and Banning Eyre to create a panorama that is rootsy, contemporary and extremely varied.
	Another Wrasse Records compilation "The Kings of Highlife" captures highlife at a critical point of evolution, the 60s and 70s when the earlier brass bands were ceding to the exciting electric guitar bands of the younger generation. As a result the music exudes a unique charm that is both forward and backward looking.
	Some of the most affecting music on the African continent comes from the Sudan. Due to its unique geographical location, sandwiched between Egypt and other African nations, its music reflects the pulse of the Middle East wedded with the rhythmic fluidity of African rhythm and call and response.
	Oliver Mtukudzi is Zimbabwe's most popular performer. The singer/guitarist adds a deep-throated soul sound to his chimurenga based style. His guitar playing, alternately chirpy, funky and folksy is instantly recognisable. "The Oliver Mtukudzi Collection- The Tuku Years" (Putumayo) collates 10 songs from 6 of Oliver's releases.

	Griot from Senegal - Pape Siriman Kanoute		Seckou Keita - Mali
	An Afro-Portuguese Odyssey (Putumayo)		King of JuJu -King Sunny Ade
	African Groove - Various Artists		Kanda Bongo Man
	Music of the Nile - Various Artists (ARC)		Salif Keita - The Early Years

Reviewed by Richard Jasiutowicz



	Filifin Mali desert blues produced by the most interesting producer, mixer and sonic manipulator in the world of African music today, Frederic Galliano (click on the image for full review) www.africanoz.com.au