Various: Marabi Africa (Marabi/Ode)

 |   |  <1 min read

Rumbanella Band: Kellya
Various: Marabi Africa (Marabi/Ode)

This excellent 17-track compilation is an ideal introduction to the diverse and exciting music coming out of various parts of Africa these days.

It also opens with Nebine, the best track off that thrilling album Nour by the Mauritanian singer Malouma (see tag) whose electrifying Sahara blues is giving Tinariwen a run for their money in the "world music album of the year" stakes at Elsewhere.

But here too are songs that wooze and sway like some cocktail hour mix of Cuba and the Pacific (the Rumbanella Band and Wendo Kolosoy), much acoustic blues on guitar with a light Afrobeat, and a couple of familiar names from South Africa (Johnny Clegg, the Mahotella Queens).

There are gently driving rhythm sections, those distincitive tickling electric guitars, and singers who are tight with passion or soaring with the eagles.

Excellent collection, good pointer to other albums by these artists, and much recommended -- especially if you haven't been back to Africa after you got bored by your third Ladysmith Black Mambazo album.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   World Music from Elsewhere articles index

Various Artists: Saoco! (Vampi Soul/Southbound)

Various Artists: Saoco! (Vampi Soul/Southbound)

Subtitled “The bomba and plena explosion in Puerto Rico 1954-66”, this double disc ensures your library of bomba and plena just got a shelf-filler. For most of us, myself included,... > Read more

A Moving Sound, Ethel: The Wheel of Life (ARC Music/digital outlets)

A Moving Sound, Ethel: The Wheel of Life (ARC Music/digital outlets)

Perhaps a little confusing so let's explain: A Moving Sound is a group from Taiwan with singer Mia Hsieh, and Ethel is a New York-based string quartet. As the title suggests, this is a concept... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Bunny Wailer: Blackheart Man (1976)

Bunny Wailer: Blackheart Man (1976)

When the Wailers – Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Neville “Bunny” Livingston – split in 1974, each went on independent but obviously interrelated paths.... > Read more

GRAHAM JOHN CLAVERHOUSE REID (b. Edinburgh 1951 - ): In search of my name in Scotland

GRAHAM JOHN CLAVERHOUSE REID (b. Edinburgh 1951 - ): In search of my name in Scotland

When I was in primary school, at least once every year, I’d be teased about my name. Not the unexceptional one on this article, but my full name which some sneaky kid would discover by... > Read more