OBE-TV Music for you
The ten best African albums
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1.VINGTIEME ANNIVERSAIRE Franco (1989)
Franco was nicknamed the “Congo Colossus”, and I like this recording because he’s one of the greatest musicians to come out of Africa, a phenomenal singer and guitarist with a classic 1970s Congolese rumba style. Gorgeous, sexy and danceable music.
2. MOFFOU Salif Keita (Universal, 2002)
He collaborates with Cesaria Evora - known as “the barefoot diva from Cape Verde” - on the opener, “Yamore”, which has a melody to die for. This is a gorgeous album, and his first to be entirely acoustic.
3. PARAISO DI GUMBE Manecas Costa (Late Junction, 2003)
I have to declare an interest in this selection as I produced it. It’s the first album ever to be recorded in the small war-torn country of Guinea-Bissau. He’s a fantastic singer and this is classic, timeless music.
4. NEW ANCIENT STRINGS Toumani Diabate / Ballake Sissoko (Hannibal, 1989)
This is another one that I produced. It contains string instrumental duets on the kora, a traditional West African harp. Sublime, ethereal, timeless music recorded on location by two great virtuosi. It could be 100 years old, but it is also strikingly contemporary.
5. BAMBA Orchestra Baobab (Stern’s Africa, 2002)
One of the most important groups of the 1970s, playing Afro-Cuban music with a local Senegalese flavouring. They recently reformed, and this is fabulous dance music.
6. NOTHING’S IN VAIN Youssou N’Dour (Nonesuch, 2002)
I’m a long time admirer of Youssou N’Dour. His is one of the greatest voices in the world. Often his albums don’t do justice to his voice and his music, but this one comes close.
7. FAMOUS VALIHA Rakotozafy (Globestyle, 1963)
Rakotozafy is a Madagascan, and the music there is unlike any other - completely intriguing and wonderful. He was called “The Robert Johnson of Madagascar”, and was the most influential musician of his time. He died penniless, and these recordings from the 1960s are the musical tributes to his genius.
8. OUMOU Oumou Sangare (World Circuit, 2003)
Oumou is from Mali, and is a gutsy woman with a penetrating voice and a dynamic rhythm. She sings about women’s rights in Africa, and I’ve admired her music for a long time.
9. KASSI KASSE Kasse Mady Diabate (Mande, 2003)
Kasse is a very traditional singer with a stunning voice. If he’d been born in Italy, he would have been like Pavarotti. This is a heartbreakingly melodious album recorded in West Mali.
10.ZIMBABWE - THE SOUL OF MBIRA: TRADITIONS OF THE SHONA PEOPLE Recorded by Paul Berliner (Nonesuch Explorer, 1973)
Classic recordings of music played on the mbira, an African thumb piano that is a wonderfully and intrinsically African instrument. It’s used to call down the spirits of the ancestors to bring health and well-being to this world. Listen to this recording and you’ll know why. -