We are at Stop 9 on our virtual travels around Africa. It will be the last stop for a few weeks. That is partly because I have a week of real life travels starting on Friday and partly because Stops 10 and 11 will need a bit more research when I return (unless I happen to stumble across a record shop specialising in music from Chad and the Comoros while I'm away).
As disappointing as I know this news will be to you all, it does mean you will have longer than usual to savour the musical delights of this week's destination - the Central African Republic.
The Central African Republic (I'm going to call it the CAR from now on or I'll get a repetitive strain injury) is one of those countries most of us would probably struggle to find on a map. If it helps, it is bordered by six other countries - both Sudans, both Congos, Chad and Cameroon.
Two-thirds of the CAR is in the Ubangi river basin, but don't even think of asking for "Ubangi Stomp". Instead we will start with real indigenous music courtesy of the Aka pygmies, whose singing is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This track comes from an album of field recordings called "Centrafrique: Anthologie De La Musique Des Pygmées Aka" that was originally released in 1987.
Sticking with traditional sounds, Jospin Pendere-Ye is a singer and player of the ngombi, a ten-string harp. He is of Mbaka ethnicity, which means he shares some roots with the Aka, and on his 2019 album "Tomboka! Tomboka!" he is backed by some Aka musicians. You can find the album on Bandcamp.
We'll go pop now with a couple of fellows whose sounds have clearly been influenced by the Congolese rumba creeping over their Southern border and into the nightclubs and international hotels of Bangui.
Lea Lignanzi made a name for himself across the broader region, playing with the likes of the great Sam Mangwana, before he released his solo debut in 1982. The album was called "Dédé Priscilla" and it earned Lea a gold record - deservedly so, as I'm sure you'll agree when you hear the sparkling guitars on "Hamadi".
Sultan Zembellat started his musical career in CAR, where he was a founder member of the band African Lokombe, but like many others he emigrated to France during the 1980s due to the economic and political situation back home. In Paris he became a major promoter of other CAR musicians as well as making music himself, up until his untimely death in 2010 aged only 51. I found "Nova Africa" on a CAR compilation called "Les Fauves de Bazoubangui, Vol. 2". Imagine how good Vol. 1 must be.
Bibi Tanga's family were also part of the CAR diaspora in Paris, moving there when Bibi was still in his teens. Today's selection comes from his album "Le Vent Qui Souffle" (2000) which he describes as "A poetic and urban work with jazzy, funky, soul, pop and blues colours" and which you can find on Bandcamp. He has made a number of albums since with his band The Selenites, most recently "The Same Tree" last year.
"Chant Pour La Retour De La Chasse (Nzombi)" - Pygmées Aka
"Vie Centrafricaine" - Jospin Pendere-Ye
"Hamadi" - Lea Lignanzi
"Africa Nova" - Sultan Zembellat
"Elle Fuse" - Bibi Tanga
Oh alright then...
I missed that one on my Ubangi Stomp post
ReplyDeletedespite your description I like the Bibi Tanga track. Not as good, though, as the 8 minute Lea Lignanzi track.
ReplyDeleteIt's his description not mine. I agree with you though - he's good but Mr Lignanzi is better
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