By the way, I'm hardly a world's expert on African music, and this list is kinda whatcha call a "work in progress," so please feel free to make suggestions and comments.
National Badema "Original Kasse Mady" (Sonodisc, 2000)
A Malian band known for incorporating Cuban music into their sound... I haven't heard this one yet, but of course I am quite curious...
Ndere Troupe "Kikwabanga: Songs And Dances From The Land Of Ngaali" (Pan Records, 1993)
(Produced by Joop Veuger)
A lively set of various Ugandan regional styles, recorded in 1993 by Dutch folklorist Joop Veuger during concert held in Kampala at the city's National Theatre, and at the Cultural Center Busega. This isn't exactly a "field recording," as the performances are all by a professional musical troupe founded in 1986 by businessman Stephen Rwangyezi, who performs on the ndere flute and on drum, along with about two dozen other musicians, mainly drawn from Makakere University's Department Of Music And Dance. Perhaps because of the controlled and collaborative nature of these recordings, there's a sonic richness and stylistic variety that is sometimes absent on older ethnographic field recordings. As is often the case, there are some tracks that have a true otherworldliness, with driving, repetitious riffs that sound almost electronic, notably the title track, "Kikwabanga," which turns my head every time it comes up: an earlier version of the song was captured by Hugh Tracey in the early 1950s. There are also softer, more ballad-like acoustic tunes, and some consistently evocative vocals, along with plenty of keening chorus vocals and ululations, which may feel a little less accessible. Overall, I found this a superior set: I haven't typically sought out or kept many albums that are strictly folkloric, but this one is an exception. It's quite compelling. (I reluctantly mention that the liner notes can a little troubling, with instances of what I would consider unintentional racism, or perhaps mere insensitivity... This is mainly true in the introductory paragraphs about "the population of Africa," a subdivision of which are characterized as athletic and strong, supposedly explaining why they were once prized as slaves. The colonial mindset can apparently be quite persistent. But since I'm thankful to Mr. Veuger for putting this album out, I won't harp on it... and it certainly doesn't have an impact on the resonance of the music itself.)
Youssou N'Dour - see artist profile
Nico & L'African Fiesta Sukiza "Merveilles Du Passe: 1966/1967/1968" (Sonodisc, 1992)
Throughout the 1960s, Congolese guitarist "Docteur" Nico Kasanda was one of the leading lights of the West African pop scene. He started out as a star performer in Grand Kalle's band, L'Afrique Jazz, and is credited as one of the most influential stylists in African pop, helping define the fluid, dreamy guitar style of soukous and modern high-life music. Early in the decade, Nico broke off from Grand Kalle to form the Orchestre L'African Fiesta, along with vocalist Tabu Ley. These recordings capture the band at its height, with Nico's mellow guitar lines snaking in and out of the songs, taking on a variety of voices, including Cuban-influenced Afro-salsa, echoing Hawaiian-style slide work and plenty of the long, complex, hypnotic guitar lines that characterize the style. It's all lovely stuff. Although this disc covers much the same time period as the Asala Malekoum album listed below, there is no overlap between the two. This album also includes liner notes, albeit in French.
Nico & L'African Fiesta Sukiza "Asala Malekoum: 1967-1969" (Sonodisc, 1998)
Beautiful, dreamy electric guitar music from this veteran West African bandleader, Nico Kasanda, also known as Dr. Nico. Another lovely set of his work from the late 'Sixties, with material that spans two eras in African pop -- relatively static, jazz-ish material that hearkens back to the earlier part of the decade, and more fluid, expansive numbers that show the pioneering spirit of the times, and more of Nico's innovative, playful guitar work.. Also included is some straight-up African-style salsa and a cover of the American soul standard, "When A Man Loves A Woman," which, while musically unremarkable, is kind of fun to hear translated into the local dialect. Another great historical disc; well worth tracking down. Sadly, no liner notes are included, and no information about when the various songs were recorded.
Nico & L'African Fiesta Sukiza "Volume 4: 1967-1969" (Sonodisc, 1994)
Presumably this overlaps somewhat with the Asala Malekoum album... (?)
Koo Nimo "Osabarima" (Adasa Records, 2012)
Koo Nimo "Highlife Roots Revival" (Riverboat Records, 2012)
Alick Nkhata "Shalapo And Other Love Songs -- Original Zambian Hits From The 1950's" (Retroafric Records, 1994)
West Nkosi "Sixteen Original Sax Jive Classics" (Gallo Records, 1991)
A virtuoso of the South African pennywhistle, or kwela, West Nkosi switched to sax in the '60s and became a major performer as the jazz scene began to flourish and diversify. This album features a slew of his early and extremely rare "jazz" recordings -- but if the truth be told, the music is fairly repetitive and might not hold your attention long. I was into it for a while, but found the novelty didn't hold up.
West Nkosi "Rhythm Of Healing" (Earthworks Records, 1992)
African Artists... Letter "O"
African Music Index
World Music Index
