afro-music assortment in radio show numbered 228, titled "Monde Afrique"
Get ready to groove with this week's musical journeys from the African diaspora! First up, we're hopping back in time to the townships of Harare, Zimbabwe (then known as Salisbury) in the 1970s. The German label Analog Africa has curated a stellar collection titled "Roots Rocking Zimbabwe - The Modern Sound of Harare Townships (1975-1980)" set for release on vinyl, CD, and digital formats on May 2nd. Keep an ear out for gems from groups like The Baked Beans, The Acid Band, and New Tutenkhamen, recording artists closely followed by renowned labels such as Gallo Records and Teal Record Company.
Next, we're traveling across the continent to Ghana to explore the "burger highlife" scene with UK label Kalita Records. Diving into the revolutionary phenomenon of the 1980s, Ghanaian musicians exiled in Europe and the US fused Western disco, funk, and boogie with traditional West African melodies, resulting in a unique soundscape. Get ready to hear rare tracks from artists like Obibini Takyi, Osei Banahene, and Okyerema Asante on their upcoming volume, "Borga Revolution Ghanaian Dance Music in the Digital Age (Volume 3)," expected to hit the shelves on May 16th.
Nearing our final stop, we find ourselves in the vibrant heart of Paris and its West African diaspora in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Gaye Mody Camara, a Malian-born music producer, showcased the talent of African expatriates through his label, Camara Production. In February, French label Hot Mule resurrected this unique catalog with "Wagadu Grooves Vol. 2," blending traditional djembe and kamele ngoni with synthesizers and drum machines, creating a fusion of the past, present, and future. This compilation, which features twelve tracks from artists like Aïcha Sidibé, is available on vinyl and digital platforms.
Stay tuned for more musical journeys with "World Africa" #227, and check out our YouTube playlist for all our editors' picks!
Fabien Mollon
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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_Africa[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_%28Zimbabwean_band%29[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Arrows_%28band%29[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melody_Bybit
- In May of 2023, music enthusiasts can reuse the vinyl, CD, or digital formats of "Roots Rocking Zimbabwe - The Modern Sound of Harare Townships (1975-1980)" compilation, a collection put together by Analog Africa, showcasing the musical journey of Rhodesia's 1970s townships.
- The fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and music landscapes of the 1980s Ghanaian diaspora will be represented in the third volume of "Borga Revolution Ghanaian Dance Music in the Digital Age," set for release on May 16th by UK label Kalita Records.
- The lifestyle of the West African diaspora in Paris during the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s will be reminisced with the February 2023 release of "Wagadu Grooves Vol. 2," a unique fusion of traditional African instruments like the djembe and kamele ngoni with synthesizers and drum machines from Malian-born music producer Gaye Mody Camara.
- From the African diaspora, ready your playlists for another musical journey in "World Africa" #227, featuring the editors' picks on YouTube.
- For those inspired by these music stories and want to contribute, feel free to subscribe or share the reuse-friendly content found at [1], [2], [3], and [4].
