Echoes Of Africa - AFRICAN MUSIC

INTRODUCTION

Music is a vital expression in the lives of Africans people from morning to night, from cradle to grave; everything is done to the rhythm of music. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest participates in the musical activity of the village. It is a means of preserving for posterity the traditions and culture of our society. African music has roots that have branched throughout the world. Everywhere and in every music, the influence of African music is present. In the case of North America, African music has tremendously influenced its art form, and some say that America's unique contribution to world culture is its jazz, blues and rock music, which derived from African musical elements.

Because of its geographic expanse and regional diversities, African music is segmented into its five regions: east, west , north, south and central. The music of the continent should not be confined into a one style. Leading the pack is the western region with the countries of Senegal, mali ivorycoast, Nigeria, cameroun Ghana.Guinee Sierra Leone.

There are many musical styles coming from these countries. Mbalax from Senegal, madingue music from mali, zouk, zoblazo, gnamagnama, zouglou, mapouka not necessary in that order from cote d’ivoire, afro beat, juju music fuji gabage from Nigeria, makosa, bitkusi from cameroun, highlife from Ghana. In east Africa the music is rather a blend of rhythms from the various neighboring countries including south African kwela and the congoles rumba influence. Kenya leads on the east side with its popular music BengaBeat and whether you are Kikuyu, luo, abaluhya, Bengabeat is the beat on the street. There is also chakacha the rhythms of the new urban Swahili. Early Kenya recording artists Fadili William and Fundi Konde led equator sound band which later on in the 0s became African eagles. Famous name of the period are Audi Kabala, Gabriel moon.

By all measure the most famous bengat group is Shirati Jazz led by Daniel Owino In the 60s many top Kenya groups played Congolese cover and international pop. But it was at this time that many of the band began to define the direction of the emerging bengat style which is undeniably Kenya’s popular music with band in the like of Simba Wanyika Original “Lion Of The Savanna”.. Let’s not forget Ayub Ogada, and from Tanzania Remmy Ongala and his super Matila band.

Around the coastal area of Zanzibar the spice island, the Taarab music rules with a definite blend of Arab and Swahili music (Zuareh Swaleh). In the northern region, of the continent in the countries of morocco, Algeria, Tunisia Libya, the music the music is predominantly Arabic, and Berbers. Music librarians have always classified the music of this region into middle eastern. However there is a black root music from morocco that has been making headway on the international scene. It is called Gnawa music, it is the music of the descendants of slaves brought from across the Sahara by Arabs traders. In Algeria we have the chaabi, the rai. In the southern region, south Africa leads with Mbaquanga its liberation music which sprang from the townships of soweto ..jive music is another pop sound of this region . True jit , chimurenga from Zimbabwe.

The Congolese soukou music and dance style rules the street in central Africa. In fact soukous which sprang from the bars, clubs and studios of Kinshasa, the capital of the democratic republic of congo formely Zaire, rules the streets in many African capital cities all the way into the villages. The roots of this music go back to Joseph kabasele whose band African jazz introduced electric music in the late 50s to the popular band okjazz. It was called “La rumba Congolese”. Joseph Kabasele, composer of the mythic “Independence Cha Cha, was a friend of Patrice Lumumba. The style evolve in the early 80s into what we know today as soukous. Many of the pioneers have long passed away, Kabassele, Dr. Nico, Franco, Roger Izeidi to name a few. When Franco Luambo Makiadi leader of OK Jazz died in 1989 he received a state funeral.Franco had a relationship with his audience that remains unmatched. He had a tremendous impact on many of today’s Congolese artists.Franco was really the master, the only musician who could say anything , who denounced and opiniated on every thing. Although his band OK Jazz still exists, he left a big void in African music.

Tabu Ley Rocherau is a living icon of that generation. I had the opportunity to promote his show in the san Francisco area in the early 90s when he took up residence in los angeles with his band Afrisa international I also interviewed him a few time. Tabu ley was instrumental in opening the way for many Congol;ese artists in Paris. Hi 1970 historic performance at Paris Olympia theater had a strong impact on many African artists aspiring to a music career. Soukous is africa’s hottest guitar based music. Over the years the style went through many changes.. From la rumba Congolese, to kirkiri, kavacha kwasa kwasa, madiaba.

The new Congolese dance and music style which entered the scene in the 90s is ndombolo, many artists playing the style claim to be the on the leader. But Koffi Olomide rules in the style. He recently sold 30.000 seat theater in Bercy France something unheard of as far as a single artist. His styles is called “Tchacho”, Koffi is very much popular with women. Wenga musica, extra musica . let’s not forget Papa Wemba whose popularity with those who love rumba is undeniable .leader of viva la musica he helped redefine soukous.. One aspect of the new wave phenomenon which brought soukous to international attention was the fashion ingredient, inspired by papa wemba. They celebrated cloth and cut and promoted styles consciousness the Sapeurs took their name from a group of posies who called themselves SOCIETE DES AMBIANCEURS ET DES PERSONNES ELEGANTS”(the society of cool and elegant people) His style fuses rumba music and American soul music he has toured extensively the united states.