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Topic 62 of 105: African Music

Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (14:25) | Alexander Schuth (aschuth)
There is a whole continent of sounds! And many are available on records, too!
32 responses total.

 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 1 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Tue, Apr 13, 1999 (14:30) * 5 lines 
 
The Daktaris - Soul Explosion (Desco)

Recorded in Nigeria, this record by New York label Desco is dedicated to great nigerian musician Fela Kuti (+1997), whom I had the great pleasure to see perform sometime mid-eighties.

The Daktaris go full-out wild with their extremely massive hornsection! This is jazzy, this is way funky, this shakes butt bigtime and has a hundred naked elephants running through your house! Dance to it, groove to it, drive your car to it. Tribal, admitted, but not worldmusic. Rootsy, perhaps.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 2 of 32: Autumn   (autumn) * Thu, Apr 15, 1999 (23:09) * 1 lines 
 
Wasn't Daktari a character on "Johnny Quest"? Or am I thinking of something else? (Wer?)


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 3 of 32: wer  (KitchenManager) * Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (01:01) * 2 lines 
 
hmmm...don't recognize it right off,
but that don't mean nothing...


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 4 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Fri, Apr 16, 1999 (06:04) * 3 lines 
 
There was a tv show called "Daktari" in the 60ies or 70ies (american? british?). Placed somewhere in Africa, this was - for that time - pretty exotic stuff for western audiences. It was all based on this station in the wilderness, lots of animal-saving-plots, and the like. I don't remember much more.

Best known character: lion Clarence, whose eyes looked into diferent directions.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 5 of 32: Autumn   (autumn) * Mon, Apr 19, 1999 (23:18) * 1 lines 
 
Yes!! Now I can sleep at night.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 6 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Tue, Apr 20, 1999 (07:47) * 5 lines 
 
You wouldn't, though, if you had this wonderful, all-healing record! Trust me on this one... Get it NOW! You'll love it, I thwear!

Lots of brass, a bit off-key sometimes, it reminds of many wild things, and is a true wild thing, naked rhinos on rampage! Very soulful, very moving... Your daughters might even like it and dance to it, and so might you!

AND: You can get it in the USA, because DESCO is a New York Label!


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 7 of 32: Autumn   (autumn) * Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (00:20) * 1 lines 
 
It sounds EXACTLY like what my daughters would like.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 8 of 32: Leplep le Plep  (jgross) * Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (00:49) * 6 lines 
 
that was the live record.
your daughters, I'm sure, wouldn't like the studio record the Daktaris did, though.
it included clothed rhinos performing a Sunday stroll around the block
and the elephants wore suits that fit so perfectly because they were
pleated and tailored (they still wear those same clothes to this day).



 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 9 of 32: wer  (KitchenManager) * Thu, Apr 22, 1999 (00:57) * 1 lines 
 
much like I do...


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 10 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (10:09) * 5 lines 
 
I have two words:

MANGO GROOVE

Really really cool band. Discovered them during the painting sabbatical in Africa. BABY!


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 11 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Sun, Apr 25, 1999 (16:02) * 3 lines 
 
DETAILS! What label, what country, what style, what instruments, what style!

MORE! Are they like a thousand shaved leopards, or are they like a hundred naked elephant bulls?


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 12 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (01:45) * 4 lines 
 
A thousand naked leophants, I'd say.

Okay, so it's a South African group. They sing a kind of funky African jazz. Great rhythms, LOADS of instruments. Acccordion, every kind of brass, drums, guitar, marimbas, strings, penny whistles, you name it. Some of the songs are in zulu, but mostly they sing in English. What makes it special, is that it's an essentially black group who formed during the apartheid era - with a white woman as lead singer. AND, most importantly, they managed to become popular during those first years. Pretty unhear
of in a place like South AFrica. THey are the first group who didn't get banned out of the country for consisting of mixed races. Cool, eh? And their music is just brilliant. Imagine a layed-back, less political sounding Glegg &Savuka type band - that's them.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 13 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (07:45) * 5 lines 
 
OooooooooooOOOOOOOH Riette! Don't drive me insane! Puuuuuleeeeeeeeeze!

Let me in on this: Do you know of any releases? What label?

(Thanks you! ;=} )


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 14 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (08:01) * 10 lines 
 
ha-ha!!! sorry! Didn't know you were going to BUY the stuff.

(Do you collect music?)


Anyway, the label is 'TUSK' music co.
My favourite albums are 'Hometalk', which is their 1st album, and 'The hits so far'. On both cd's there is not a single song that I like less than the others. There are other albums as well, but these are the only 2 I could find in Namibia. Perhaps they'll have it on Amazon.com as well, because a few of their songs were recorded by EMI as well.
Where do you know african music from? Are you a german German, or an American born German?

Another favourite AFrican singer: Miriam Makeba. If I had a nice voice, it would sound just like that....


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 15 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (08:54) * 7 lines 
 
Pleased to meet you, Riëtte!

I'm living in Rhein-Main-Area in Germany - and possibly your continental neighbour as far as the Spring is concerned. We haven't met yet, as I was hustled into joining the fray after you went on that painting binge.

How do you like Fela Kuti from Nigeria? I think he was one of the great chiefs of african jazz of all time (helps that I don't know many others, but still - he was great. Great live performer, too!). MUSIC IS THE WEAPON OF THE FUTURE!

More on what I do in the superstar topic in this Conference. Other places I visit here are Collecting, Media, InternationalConflicts (new Conference), Travel,...


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 16 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (10:00) * 4 lines 
 
You're a close neighbour indeed! How nice - now I don't have to wait 7 hours for the others to wake up anymore.

From your response I gather that your a traveller who collects stuff on his jouneys in order to take part in International conflicts covered by the media worldwide. Is that correct? Or do I really have to go read through 40 responses to find out who/what your are? Oh, sheesh, OKAY then!!



 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 17 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (11:56) * 5 lines 
 
I'm a professional military expert specialising in soft target elimination and infowar countermeasures. Most of the time, I operate in subsaharan Africa, you might call that freelancing.

To relax, I listen to all my Furtwängler records of Wagner operas. Or go to a bar, get drunk and pick a fight.

I'm also boring as university lectures.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 18 of 32: Autumn   (autumn) * Mon, Apr 26, 1999 (21:02) * 1 lines 
 
(Oh God, Alexander isn't really Tim, is he?!)


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 19 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (02:25) * 4 lines 
 
Alexander, don't you DARE!
(AUTUMN!!! Is he???)

But Furtwängler, eh? What do you think about Furtwängler, Alexander? What do the Germans think of him? I mean in the context of history. Did he REALLY have no idea about politics?


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 20 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (06:31) * 5 lines 
 
Another thing about me. I have no idea about politics, either. Don't need to, I just get a task to do and that's it. I deliver.

I used to to physics, too, but structure hits and other deconstruction events started to bore me over the years. I like to work with people, that's why I've specialized on soft targets. So, now I do what might be called applied anthropolopgy.

Furtwängler is great. No better Wagner than that.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 21 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (10:05) * 2 lines 
 
Damn. I love hearing all the different fights about Furtwänglers political inclinations during the 2nd World War.
As to him doing the best Wagner, I say he's bloody good. But I have a name for you in return: Klemperer.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 22 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (10:07) * 1 lines 
 
Me, too: A handful of Sempex and a detonator! Plus a rocket launcher, for good measure...


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 23 of 32: Riette Walton  (riette) * Tue, Apr 27, 1999 (11:45) * 1 lines 
 
You don't LIKE Klemperer? Are you serious??


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 24 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Wed, May 19, 1999 (06:58) * 14 lines 
 
*** Fela Anikulapo Kuti ***

I've mentioned the name before. The Daktaris' absolutely smashing LP is dedicated to him, with all respect, and respect him any serious music-lover must.

Fela (1938-1997) was a Nigerian bandleader and saxophonist, very much rooted in extremely traditional african beliefs. One of the greatest performers I have ever seen, too.
"Music is the weapon of the future" - he was the Black President of Afro Beat, very outspoken and involved in politics. He tried to run for president, but they didn't let him register as candidate. I think he is a very important musician and extremely fascinating (his marrying 28 women on one day should make him a natural favorite with some people on the Spring...), and his legacy ought to get more respect. Let's put it this way: if his work had been always readily available and been constantly reissue
and promoted by a major label, "Fela" would be a household name with anybody who's into jazz / soul / funk, all over the world. Admitted, there's no field of music where you can fight more heated debates than jazz, but he is as great and important as Miles. There, I said it.

In early 1970ies, his best phase from 1972 to '76, Fela released 26 records. Yes, that's right, about 5 (!!!) per year.

Right now, there is a wonderful reissue-project, offering 2 boxes of vinyl LPs (5 each) from French label Barclay (haven't seen them yet, but Universal Jazz seems to distribute them). Very limited, very pricey. (If there is anybody in the world, who has money to burn, or who wants to curry his or her favors with me: This is your opportunity!)
More down-to-earth could be the CDs Universal or Universal Jazz (or Verve? After all the take-overing and re-structuring, nobody really knows how they are called - but they do it nevertheless) put on the market. Each offers two original releases from the 70ies. Haven't seen these yet, either, but I'll get them as soon as they are available.

(Fela Kuti will also be featured on the cover of superstar #13, and there'll be an article on him. See also: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/music/59.41 ; for any further questions, contact me: Alexander_Schuth@gmx.net )


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 25 of 32: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Thu, May 27, 1999 (02:34) * 1 lines 
 
Yes! I got the first CD of the Fela-reissue series (Barclay/Universal), and it's great! He performed live with his ensemble, al together 70 people, at a festival in Berlin, where the first CD was recorded. Has his 28 women double as dancers and singers, so there's a massive band, heavy singing, and lots of attitude. Did I mention he was very political? This CD oozes his ideas, while presenting really exciting Afro-Beat, played by THE MAN!


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 26 of 32: Maggie  (sociolingo) * Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (14:30) * 12 lines 
 
For those who are interested, the West African Dahomean Vodoun page has been updated to include several songs of the Water Spirits of the ATR (African Traditional Religions) diaspora.

You may access these songs


http://www.mamiwata.com/mamichild.html#music

Also, to listen to these songs, you will need to download (or upgrade) your Realplayer. The link is also available on the site.






 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 27 of 32: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (14:40) * 1 lines 
 
Maggie ! Thanks for posting this...but your email had more links that just that one. Post the rest, please!


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 28 of 32: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (14:41) * 1 lines 
 
Btw, upgrading your RealPlayer is really worth it and it is free and takes only a few moments.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 29 of 32: Maggie  (sociolingo) * Sun, Mar  5, 2000 (14:49) * 1 lines 
 
The other link was the same but with <> which this programme didn't like.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 30 of 32: Alexander  (aschuth) * Mon, Mar  6, 2000 (15:12) * 5 lines 
 
I'll check that out!

superstar 1/2000 also features a short interview with Tony Allen, who was Fela Kutis (+ 1997) band leader in the 70ies, and is one of Nigerias finest musicians. He is the "Beat" behind Afro Beat, as he is a drummer...

He is still working and releasing stuff, which is a good thing at the moment, as Afro Beat is currently in people's focus again.


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 31 of 32: Afrobeat  (bugaloo) * Thu, Jan 18, 2001 (17:32) * 8 lines 
 
For all those Afrobeat lovers, (Fela Kuti, Daktaris, Tony Allen) I suggest you check Antibalas. Several of the Daktaris also play in this band. They play live in NY and are about to tour the west coast and Europe this year.
http://www.antibalas.com

Now as for those beans...

:)

fff


 Topic 62 of 105 [music]: African Music
 Response 32 of 32:  (sprin5) * Fri, Jan 19, 2001 (09:31) * 1 lines 
 
Do you listen to Afropop USA, bugaloo? It's the show with Jacques Colineaux (sp?) on PBS.

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