There’s brass music from Africa and the African Diaspora with works by London’s Balimaya Project, Benin’s venerable Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, and veteran of Ghanaian highlife, Ebo Taylor.
London's Balimaya Project, after the word 'Balimaya' which comes from the Mandinka languages of West Africa and means the essence of kinship, is led by composer/arranger and Djembe player, Yahael Camara Onono. The music combines traditional instruments of the Mandé peoples of West Africa - talking drums, balafon, shekere, and djembe, together with kora - together with searing guitar and full horn arrangements. The arrangements sometimes stretch out so that there is space for all of the 16-piece supergroup to shine, including some players on the London jazz circuit, like members of the bands Kokoroko and Seed Ensemble.
Listen to music from Benin from the original Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, (now the oldest active African orchestra), who have been huge in West Africa since the 1970s, playing alongside Fela Kuti and recording over 50 albums. There's also music from a Finnish-Beninese collaboration, the Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble. Also, hear a tune from another of the major brass bands in Africa, the Gangbé Brass Band, who have most recently accompanied Angélique Kidjo on her tribute record to celebrated salsa singer Celia Cruz.
Then, there’s music from Ghana by the veteran of Ghanaian highlife, Ebo Taylor, with Berlin-based musicians Afrobeat Academy, and featuring the godfather of Afro-beat drumming, Tony Allen. Hear “Nsu Na Kwan,” based on a Fante proverb, asks “Which is older – the river or the old road” with the sub-text to respect your elders; it’s from 2012’s Appia Kwa Bridge. Plus, music from London-based Afro-jazz collective Nubiyan Twist, featuring rising Ghanaian star K.O.G., and their song, ‘Basa Basa’. And more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4543, African and Pan-African Brass (First Aired 9/28/2021)
ARTIST: Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
WORK: Madjafalao ("Watch Out") [7:20]
RECORDING: Madjafalao
SOURCE: Because Music BEC 5156646
INFO: forcedexposure.com or Amazon.com
ARTIST: Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble
WORK: Owe [4:29]
RECORDING: Fire, Sweat and Pastis
SOURCE: Osuuskunta No Problem! Music
INFO: helsinkicotonouensemble.com
ARTIST: Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo
WORK: Madjafalao ("Watch Out") [7:20]
RECORDING: Madjafalao
SOURCE: Because Music BEC 5156646
INFO: forcedexposure.com or Amazon.com
ARTIST: Gangbé Brass Band
WORK: Assidida [5:24]
RECORDING: Go Slow to Lagos
SOURCE: Buda Musique
INFO: budamusique.com
ARTIST: Balimaya Project
WORK: Soninka-Patronba [8:52]
RECORDING: Wolo So
SOURCE: Jazz re:freshed
INFO: balimayaproject.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Either/Orchestra with Bahta Gebre Heywet
WORK: Antchim endelela [7:27]
RECORDING: Ethiopiques, Vol. 20, Live in Addis Ababa
SOURCE: Buda Musique 860121
INFO: budamusique.com
ARTIST: Nubiyan Twist, feat. K.O.G.
WORK: Basa Basa [6:00]
RECORDING: Jungle Run
SOURCE: Strut Records
INFO: nubiyantwist.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Ebo Taylor
WORK: Nsu Na Kwan [4:48]
RECORDING: Appia Kwa Bridge
SOURCE: Strut Records
INFO: ebotaylor.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Santrofi
WORK: Kwaa Kwaa [2:47]
RECORDING: Alewa
SOURCE: Out There Records
INFO: outhererecords.bandcamp.com
