senegal
Super Diamono De Dakar – Dou Wey
…and Youssou N’Dour’s main competitor for the crown of kings of mbalax Super Diamono De Dakar. Layer on layer of beat-keeping in drums, vocals, instrumentation.
Youssou N’Dour – Xarit
Further part of a fantastic morning of music. Everything I love about Youssou N’Dour.
Star Band de Dakar – Vamos Pa’al Monte
Man, this song just made the last six and a half minutes of housework float by. You’ll recognize strains of Guantanamera throughout. As usual, Star Band de Dakar mesmerizes:
Youssou N’Dour – Ndakarou
Mbalax progenitor and all-around musical genius Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour released this track –blending Carlos Santana-inspired guitars and DNA-altering African rhythms– on his 2009 “Special Fin D’annee : Salegne-Salegne.”
Super Jamono de Dakar – Yaraal Sa Doom
I am floored: mind-blown. In a sense, this is a Senegalese concerto: comprised of identifiable parts, reflective of a central melodic motif… Everything from group harmonies and relentless rhythm section leverage to acid rock guitars.
From their 1984 release ‘Ndaxami.’ Download the entire album here.
Orchestre du Bawobab – Ma Penda
Another one of these deeply emotional opuses from perennial favorites Orchestre du Bawobab. Full of percussion, guitars, horns, and wailing…the wailing…
Une Nuit Aun Jandeer (1978) Musicafrique MSCLP 002
Baaba Maal-Jamma Jenngii
Since we’re posting longtime personal favorites, I’ve hummed this song in my daughter’s ear her whole life. This might be the song that plays over my closing credits. I can’t explain why other than the song feels like a coda and I love it.
Habib Koite & Bamada – Mansane Cisse
This just tugged on my ear. It’s so easy to get lost in the circular rhythmic melodies here, all weaving in and out among one another…
Orchestra Baobab – Werente Serigne
Submitted w/o comment b/c I’m speechless. Great riddim, vocals, horn performances: everything you love about OB.
Faran Tamba – Star Nº 1 de Dakar
This song just threw its arm around me and danced me around the kitchen like a drunken idiot. The rhythm will own you. Don’t click ‘play’ unless you’ve for four and a half minutes to shake a tail feather til’ it’s sore.
A Biscuit In The Sun 