Awesome Tapes from Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Mama Diabate Nambiyo

Side A
Nambiyo
Koumbe Diara
Tenen Kaba
Bantan

Side B
Gbankole
Danka Boli
Fassoulouku
Koumbe Diara

Glittery and glammed out Manding pop from Guinea, perfectly balanced between traditional and modern persuasions. Vocals cut sharp, kora never dull, everything else falls into place / makes you want to dance. Don't stop.

Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ sets in California coming up:

Feb 2/Oakland//Hott Lava at Starline Social Club
Feb 6/San Francisco//Aquarius Records In-Store Whatttttt (5-7pm)
Feb 8/Los Angeles//Nomerica at Naya on Sunset (formerly Tantra)
Feb 10/Los Angeles//Top Tape by dublab at The Hyperion Tavern
Feb 11 San Francisco//Tormenta Tropical at Elbo Room

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Bola Volume 7 Coming April 2/3 Worldwide

Listen to the track "Abayetidu Ma" from the forthcoming Awesome Tapes From Africa release by Bola. He is a singer and instrumentalist from Bolgatanga, Ghana who has been putting out tape after tape of ridiculously energetic and thoughtful songs for the last few years. I almost died when I heard this Volume 7 tape for the first time. Bola's intense Frafra-language vocals, along with his shredding kologo—a two-stringed lute—boosted by bass-heavy, angular keyboard melodies and dance floor-ready drums. I am fascinated by Bola's take on a traditional instrument and musical style. Look out for this release in early April on LP/CD/MP3/limited edition cassette.

Bola "Abayetidu Ma" by awesometapesfromafrica

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:03:00 +0000

~~Who is this?~~ Mahmoud Ahmed

Side A

Side B

Hoping someone can provide some details on this excellent recording.

Happy New Year to all of you.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:25:00 +0000

Ding Ding Djello Koumandian

Face A
Sida
Hypocrite
Hommage à nos mamans*
Barimihi-Faré*
Sida (Remix)

Face B
/Koumandian
Daff mi Yakh
Ecoutons nos Parents
Koumacitiri-Ghö*
Hypocrite (Remix)

*—Made me feel/think something

Guinean rap from a group of well-educated lads, who big up their school with the album title (Koumandian Keita is the largest private school in Conarky). Established Senegalese rapper Sister Fa helps on vocals. Senegalese and German producer/musicians Bob Dynaa and Steven Töteberg (who ran a very important studio in Dakar for the youth called Maison Yes, where this was recorded) produced and mixed the album. Not much info about the group themselves...I think this is from the late '90s. Meh, this album is mediocre but tracks 3, 4 and 9 made me feel like sharing it.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:21:00 +0000

El Hadj Hamado Kanazoe

Face A
Nabi Yaam Pingr

Face B
Nabi Yaam Siifo

Majestic, otherworldly Sufi music from Burkina Faso. Damn, all zoned out on this "no instruments allowed" recording this morning. Vocal-to-mental invigoration.

More info on Wazu music in particular and Sufi music in general from West Africa and beyond right here.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:06:00 +0000

Ahwach Souss

Side A

Side B

This is Berber music from the Souss region of southern Morocco, which sounds like it was recorded at a festival or event (I think I outdoor ambiance plus background chatter... an awesome spontaneous vibe to this recording). Ahwach music blows me away and I think this tape is particularly insane. Listen to the bone crushing drum rhythm that follows the eerie solo vocal introduction. Side B completely loses its shit around 12 minutes in.

But could someone please help us with the band/album name for this one?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Ndiogou Seck Tarou

Face A
Lupaa-Lup-Samba
Coow-li (Lang)
Interesse +

Face B
Yaama NDiaye
Xoox-yi
Bari-Jom

Man. This tape is killing me today. Senegalese mbalax-ish style acoustic music with amazing choir vocal responses back by beautifully produced ensemble of drums and massive torso-sized kalimba. Enjoy.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:27:00 +0000

Jess Sah Bi & Peter One Our Garden Needs Its Flowers

Face A
Clipo
Katin
Kango
Minmanle?

Face B
Our Garden Needs Its Flowers
Apartheid
African Chant
Solution

Buy this shit at Amazon because it's amazing that cats are making straight up country music in Cote D'Ivoire. My man Marco Werman came across these guys back in the 80s, but I have not heard anything else about them.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:22:00 +0000

Alhaja Queen Salawa Abeni and her Waka Moderniser India Waka

Side 1
Mo Ti Goke
Thank You
India Waka
Mo De Inu Ile Ola
Ayinla Lo Ni Fuji Abeni Loni Waka
Abeni De Olo Un Orin

Side 2
Eru Mba Mi
Chief Popoola Olaofe
Mo Jawe Oriji
Kiniun Ti De Oko
Abeni Ti De Lady Waka Queen
Orin Wa Dun Un Jo

On this Thanksgiving 2011 we give thanks for the female practitioners of Nigerian fuji music. We at ATFA wish you a happy holiday and offer this 1984 recording as the extra gravy for your turkey/tofurkey.

For more info on Alhaja Queen Salawa Abeni's catalog check here.

Extra credit can't hurt.

Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ sets coming up in early December:

02.12. DE Berlin / Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Ghana Hiplife @ Worldtronics)
03.12. CH Genève / Festival Face G
07.12. IT Perugia / Loop Café
08.12. IT Roma / Vangelo @ Animal Social Club
09.12. IT Pescara / Maze

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Bereket Mengistab Vol. 13

Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4

Side B
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8

Eritrean music! This 1999 recording from legendary singer and krar ninja Bereket Mengisteab (spelled "Mengistab" on the tape) coalesces much of what I love about music from this region of the world: angular melodies, vocal acrobatics, warbly keyboard effects, heavily-swung rhythms and pounding bass.

Attention Berlin: I am super stoked to mention the upcoming Ghana Hiplife night at Worldtronics festival at Haus der Kulturen der Welt on December 2, which was curated in part by Awesome Tapes From Africa. The show features Ghana rap virtuoso Kwaw Kese, up-and-coming hiplife visionaries Bradez, mega-accomplished producer Appietus and UK rapper Sway.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Awa Kassemady Diabate Kayira Vol. 2

Face 1
Baya
Dania

Face 2
Talassa
Kayira

Happy 11/11/11 (and Happy Veterans' Day). Mande griot music for the masses from Mali with an after-taste electronique. Maybe that's just this recording's tinny treble-heavy mix [editor's note--I don't equalize these rips]. I feel like this solid package of soul and virtuosity was worth sharing here regardless.

BTW--First release on Awesome Tapes From Africa is out now: ATFA001 Nâ Hawa Doumbia "La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3". You can find it at eMusic, iTunes, Amazon or hopefully your favorite local record shop. It's a beautiful album.

Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ set at Spencer's GIFs with Janka Nabay at Santos Party House in Manhattan on Friday, November 18.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:31:00 +0000

Fatou Laobé Hé Laobé

Side A
Serigne Bi
Hé Laobé
Sida

Side B
Djoudé Diabé
Kheul
Diour Dom Sani

Life is short. It's not nearly long enough post the best tapes by all the top mbalax divas from Senegal. Fatou Laobé's ecstatic yet masterfully controlled vocal cadences will have to suffice for today. Likembe has some tracks and info as well.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Zig Zag Crew Bongo Msoto

Side 1
Bongo Msoto
Wazo Jipya feat. F.S.G.
Zig Zag
Watu Bwana RMX feat. Sir Nature
Intro

Side 2
Tumepagawa
Kanyagia
Watu Bwana
Bongo Msoto Instrumental
Kanyagia
Intro

Ill early aughties Tanzanian hip-hop (aka bongo flava). If you like '93 rap you will appreciate these guys' aggressive Kiswahili cadence over Dar-meets-BK kicks.

Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ set Saturday (tomorrow) at the New Museum with tons of bands and djs including Atlas Sound, Light Asylum, Weird Magic, Todd Pendu, et al.

Also, Nâ Hawa Doumbia's La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3, the first release on ATFA the label, is out now on LP/CD/MP3 and limited edition cassette (see link at left).

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:39:00 +0000

Ithran

Side A
Thshoked Thodath Ino
Wakha Nzwa Yaman
Ossana Diziran

Side B
Yoshishem Babam
Thaziri
Instrumental

Guest post from a friend along the interwebs, he says: "Ithran is an Amazigh (or Berber) word that means stars. The group was created in 1984 in Morocco. Despite inadequate resources, the group managed to break through to become the spokesman of the song of Rif ( North of Morocco). The first album of Ithran recorded in 1986 was a huge success with 600,000 sales. This success has strengthened the confidence of the group and gave them the courage to continue. With over 20 CDs and cassettes interpreted and written either by group or by members in solo, the group remains a star in the Amazigh music that continues to shine high in the sky."

Tonight in DC: The Whale featuring DJ Harvey, Beautiful Swimmers and ATFA at U Street Music Hall, 9pm sharppp. FREE.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0000

3=2+1

Side A

Side B

For me today, 2+1=broken computer. This is all I have for now.

Next week in Europe:

05.10. FR Poitiers / Le Confort Moderne
06.10. DE Heidelberg / Enjoy Jazz
07.10. UK London / Pap.il.lon at The Moustache Bar, Dalston London
08.10. RU St. Petersburg / Ethnomechanica Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Ephrem Tamru

Side A
Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5

Side B
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8
Track 9
Track 10
Track 11

What a beautiful tape from Ethiopia, which is having a morphine-like effect on my body. It's that soothing. I am gonna go take a nap now. I don't have anything to say, just listen to this and feel good today. Talk to you later. Love, Brian.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:11:00 +0000

Zagazougou La Confirmation

Face A
Simpa Bognan
Djotigui
Varietoscope
Zagadon
Dabakala

Face B
Djan Fa
Lolo Saraman
Gnan Gban Gna Lô
Bissimilaye

Jack to the sound of the accordion, all the way back to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. These guys have released a few records internationally where you can find some of these songs.

Check here for an Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ set coming to a venue near you:

16.09. LT Riga Skanu Mezs
17.09. FI Tampere 931
18.09. FI Helsinki Siltanen
21.09. DE Berlin Kater Holzig
22.09. NO Stavanger Numusic
23.09. NL Den Haag Today's Art

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:10:00 +0000

Prince Khonjo Binadamu Hatosheki

Side 1
Binadamu
Kuhanyahanya
Kijicho
Mchezo Wa Zaire
Mahendo

Side 2
Pongezi
Mafundi
Pamela
Mtaliani
Nyika
Mambo Poa

File under: bizarre/mind-blowing. This simple dance of drum machine and determined vocals generates something particularly ill. 1999 cusp-of-bongo flava jams recorded near the Kenyan coast. Thanks to Gearz Kuria of Bin Khalid Sonic Pollution for this.

This Saturday, August 20, Awesome Tapes From Africa DJ set at 70 North 6th St in Brooklyn, part of the inaugural TRADITION party featuring Brenmar, Ford & Lopatin, Rezound (of my super homies Group Tightener) and surprise others.

Awesome Tapes From Africa returns to Europe briefly as well:

25.08. BE Brussels Feerien
26.08. + 27.08. CH Zürich Theaterspektakel
28.08. ES Madrid La Casa Encendida

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:17:00 +0000

Solomon Manori & Chemaner Band Chepkunyuk

Face 1
Matibakach Chito
Narachek
Kwantap David
Tapletgoi
Torikit Agenge

Face 2
Chepkunyuk
Chepkorir
Kenderwa Maiywa
Chemabei Mbaret
Ya Raeli
Ya Terterin

So there's this really great online discography of Kenyan and Tanzanian 45s called KenTanza Vinyl that is doing a brilliant job of digging through the history of singles made before the advent of tapes and CDs...however I can't find much info about this band there. But! Enjoy head-banging (or whatever you prefer to do) to these rugged and joyous Kenyan guitar band tunes that (for me) conjure mental images of dark brown wood. Feel like I am on an old tea plantation or something.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:18:00 +0000

Ouobraogo Charles

Face A
Zâmsdo
Widga

Face B
Yel Doûûssa
Pag La Rao Yingre

This tape from Burkina Faso has been a minor revelation for me this week. On a scale of dull to wild I'd give it a "bananas++". Fast, energetic, fascinating harmonies, often hard-to-track rhythmic patterns. The kinds of things that make a guy's heart go pitter-pat on this sunny afternoon in Copenhagen.

Early August tour starts tomorrow. Holler at me if you're around:

05.08 DK Sejerø Festival
07.08 PL Katowice Off Festival
08.08 UK London Cafe Oto
11.08 CH Geneva Ecoutes au Vert
12.08 NL Venlo Zomerparkfeest
13.08 DE Hamburg MS Dockville

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:34:00 +0000

Announcement

After more than five years of doing Awesome Tapes From Africa and DJing these cassettes all over it feels like a natural progression to find a way to bring these artists further recognition and perhaps a bit of money in the long run. So beginning in October, Awesome Tapes From Africa will be making available for sale some of the wonderful and obscure recordings that have been so fun to share over the years. In collaboration with the artists, who will receive 50% of all proceeds after expenses, you will soon find at your local music shop vinyl LPs, CDs and mp3s of select sublime albums, the kind which have made doing this blog so easy.

The first release is by Mali's Nâ Hawa Doumbia, a recording the singer made in 1982, La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3. It comes out October 18 and will be distributed by SC Distribution. More info soon. Feel free to join the mailing list (at left) if you'd like occasional electronic whispers in your digital ear.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Filany Kenedougou

Face A
Dougou
Dambe
Konodagan
Laydou

Face B
Takassegui
Lolo
Yiri-Bine
Konotekouma

This is something wonderful I didn't know about. Douada Filany Sangare is joined by Toumani Diabate, Ramata Diakite, and a chorus of ninja-like instrumentalists brandishing ngoni, kamale-ngoni, balafon, flute and djembe. Full ensemble Mande music from Mali with a Fulani feel.

Buy this record.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 02:20:00 +0000

Haruna Ishola & His Apala Group Mba B'Ejire Mba Yo

Side One
Mba B'Ejire Mba Yo
Ishola Olugbuyi Kuseju
Bi Taku Oba Ja
Saliu Ma Ya Bikan

Side Two
Bi Mo Duro Bi Mo Ba Bere Lo Orin Nso Simi Lokan
Olorire Legbewa
Ishola De Elenipe Od'Osupa Ti Nmole Kari Aiye
Won Nse Kobaje Didan Lo Ndan

Nigeria's o.g. Yoruba apala master Alhaji Haruna Ishola makes a powerful impression on me here. This particular cassette-shaped drop in the bucket of his immense discography is downright effervescent compared to many zzzz-inducing examples.

Talking drums of 1975 talking to me til I take this tape out.

Buy this record, or at least part of it, here.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

~~Sawt El Jamal~~ Arwiha and Ouled Sherif

Side 1
A'yiti Ma Tkhebbi
Ezzine El-Fassi

Side 2
Waili Lalla
Iyak A Sid

~~Although I don't know the artist/title associated with this tape—"Sawt El Jamal" is printed on the cassette label—~~I would classify this tape as "interesting slash pretty fucking amazing." ~~If anyone can translate the info on the cover for us you'd be doing a good deed. Meantime~~ I am still ~~will be~~ chilling in the AC to these wind-swept sounds.

Awesome Tapes From Africa was included in New York Magazine's recent article on analog-obsessed nerds.

Thanks to Tim Abdellah for the artist/track title transliteration from the Arabic.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Shimkovitz) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:50:00 +0000

Francis Bebey Awkwaaba

Side 1
Akwaaba
Bissau
Binta Madiallo
Ngoma Likembe

Side 2
Tumu Pakara
Sassandra
Di Sengi

My buddy Shawn let me know about Francis Bebey a whiiile back but I didn't find a tape until recently. This deep and minimal orgy of sanza (a type of thumb-piano) is alternately back-beat almost-dancey and ketamine heady. I posted the link in one zipped file above, you're gonna want the whole thing.

Awesome Tapes from Africa DJ sets at Central Park SummerStage on Sunday, July 31 (FREE) followed by a show with Brooklyn homeboys The Sway Machinery on Tuesday, August 2 at 92Y Tribeca.

Also, I will be lugging my tapes around Europe in August, sharing sounds from island to village to city to harbour:

05.08 DK Sejerø Festival
07.08 PL Katowice Off Festival
08.08 UK London Cafe Oto
11.08 CH Geneva Ecoutes au Vert
12.08 NL Venlo Zomerparkfeest
13.08 DE Hamburg MS Dockville

BTW--ATFA is no longer fronting on Facebook. Show some like.