I just listened to “Naani”, the new CD by Sanza. Sanza has four members:

Drissa Kone hardly needs an introduction, being among the most respected and well-known professional djembe players in Bamako. Of the currently active professionals there, he probably best represents the minimalist traditional Malian style.

Gerhard Kero plays dundun and konkoni on this recording. He is a long-time student of Drissa and, together with Ulli Sanou, runs the beatfactory percussion school in Austria.

Ulli Sanou, also a long-time student of Drissa, plays accompaniment djembe.

Oumou Mariko is a professional dancer from Bamako. While you won’t be able to see her brilliant dancing on the CD, you will hear her voice, which is stunningly beautiful.

There are eleven tracks on the CD, recorded in excellent sound quality by Otto Trapp:

1. Deme sebe
2. Nyumaya
3. Mali Fasa
4. Tumani
5. Biriko
6. Juguya
7. I Ka Wale
8. Sanfinye
9. Deme
10. Burun
11. Eh Mogolu

The names are modern because these are not strictly traditional rhythms. Instead, they are current-day interpretations that are based on traditional rhythms. For example, Deme Sebe has its roots in Madan, I Ka Wale in Sunu, Nyumaya in Suku, Juguya in Garangedon. and Sanfinye is a modern interpretation of Bolokonondo.

Drissa, Gerhard, and Ulli lay down a groove on these tracks that is incredibly relaxed and, above everything else, musical. This is one of the most melodic djembe recordings in my collection. Drissa’s playing is soulful and expressive, clearly coming from a Malian traditional base, but infused with modern style elements that allow him more freedom of expression than purely traditional phrasing would. Gerhard’s dundun work is flawless, played with both precision and feeling, and Ulli’s accompaniment rock-solid.

Every track feature’s Oumou’s beautiful vocals. Her singing is out of this world. Rich, expressive, and warm, without some of the shrill variations that are often part of the traditional style, it is easy to get immersed in the melodies.

The overall result is a recording that is extremely easy to listen to. This isn’t a recording only for African drumming aficionados, but something that even the non-cognoscenti will enjoy. There are no complex ballet-style arrangements, and there is no wara wara from Drissa. That’s not to say that he plays slowly. It’s just that Drissa’s experience tempers the playing such that the music is never forgotten, and he never steps over the line where his playing would degenerate into showing off. There is none of the “see how fast I can play” egotistical wizardry, only music that is played with incredible feel and respect. In my opinion, Drissa’s blend of modern and traditional style firmly establishes him as the Toumani Diabaté of the djembe world.

I consider this one of the best recordings in my collection. It certainly has made my top-ten list, and I expect it to become a classic of contemporary Malian style. Five stars out of five!

The CD can be purchased directly from Gerhard Kero on his website Beat Factory.

We’re giving away 2 free copies of the CD. To be entered in this draw, all you have to do is like our post about the Naani CD give away on the djembefola.com facebook page.

Well you can, I promise you!!!

You just need to spend a bit of bonding time with your favourite drum. Your drum will be happy and so will you!

Scientists have proven that new experiences and learning new things are essential to human happiness, and drumming sure makes me happy, so imagine how happy your Monday could be if you learnt some new drum language this weekend.

NOW IS THE BEST TIME FOR YOU TO BECOME A BETTER DRUMMER. If you don’t act now you may never do so and there’s a chance your drumming will never recover.

….AND GUESS WHAT?

We have just released the latest rhythm in the Tasumakan series (Dansa aka Diansa), and this is Paddy’s best lesson yet!

Nobody is breaking down complex drum language on video the way Paddy is…FACT!

For only the next 2 days, we’re cutting our prices by 20% for all Tasumakan products, including the brand new Dansa.

Just use this coupon “ILIKEDRUMS”, during the checkout process and the marked price will be reduced by 20%.

BECOME A BETTER DRUMMER THIS WEEKEND AND GET 20% OF TASUMAKAN FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS ONLY

We guarantee you’ll love this or you get your money back!

Have a great weekend!

James

They say:

Happy New Year! To brighten these dark days, remember that Spring is coming, and with it, the 19th annual World Rhythm Festival, April 27th – 29th, 2012.

Exuberant music from all over the world will spring forth at Seattle Center in over 100 amazing drum and dance workshops and world music performances. This is the DON’T MISS event of spring, where you can learn about rhythm and dance in a joyful community atmosphere.

Artists:
It’s time to submit your application to give a performance or workshop on the SWPS.org website if you haven’t done so already. Go to the application page at http://swps.org/swps?page=artistapppage. Application deadline is February 1st. See the end of this message for login help.

Know a world music Artist or Teacher who deserves a bigger audience?
We are always looking for new performers and workshop leaders. If you know of a hot instructor or performing group that you’d like to see at the Festival, please forward this email to them. Or write to us at (Artists at swps.org) and tell us about them!

We look forward to working with you to make the 2012 World Rhythm Festival another memorable event!

Here’s the result:

The Mixtape Special by Afropop Worldwide

Whether you wonder about whether global interest in djembe is declining or not, djembe, dunun and even some traditional dance moves made it’s way onto American idol this year.

Though not everyone was impressed, perhaps a tip of the hat in the right direction, or even a mention of what them things were that those guys were banging on, might have pushed those search numbers up a little?

I just hope that Remo didn’t get a mention in the show credits.

It feels to me that this year has been one for a bit of controversy, there have been disagreements between drum producers and exporters from Africa and Indonesia, but at least people began to talk about the effects of the djembe industry on the environment.

Most seem to agree that djembe’s themselves are a very small cause of deforestation compared to other industries, such as wood export and furniture. A lot of criticism has indeed been levelled at China for wiping huge quantities of wood in Guinea, before regulations were reviewed which brought an end to this.

China’s response? Stone djembes, which I’ve heard from several people actually sound quite good (considering they’re made of stone).

Tam Tam Mandeng certification has been discussed before, but earlier this year the association caused a stir, when they announced their intention to release a Tam Tam Mandeng grading system, for students who are studying with Tam Tam Mandeng’s instructors.

It doesn’t seem like participation will be compulsory and the details haven’t been hammered out yet, so it’s perhaps to early to read too much into it. Indeed I know highly respected people who think that this is a good idea, and I can understand how it would motivate some ‘goal oriented’ people in a positive way.

It will be interesting to see how this is organised and begins to manifest in 2012.

For me it though, it was perhaps 2 of the greatest living djembefolas, who were at the heart of the most memorable moment of the year.

Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate finally managed to pull off something they had wanted to do for a long time. A sell out tour of the US, teaching side by side, sharing their love and their philosophy and experience of this music to a few lucky students.

Their message:

The djembe is the symbol of joy and that between djembefolas you must have repect, and not be jealous of each other.

Here’s a full transcript of that message.

I really feel like there is a lot of escalating energy in the djembe world at the moment, and I can’t wait to see what next year will bring. We definitely have a number of exciting projects here at djembefola.com that are going to blossom this year, so if you’re not already signed up to our newsletter yet, make sure you do so now, to get the latest articles / videos and news first.

This is just my take on what have been memorable this year. What did I miss? Do you have enduring memories or experiences you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!

PS: Special thanks to Bernd (who shares the djembe in Arizona) for the use of his awesome photo. You can see more of Bernd’s work on his Fine art photography website.

You can find more information about taking part in the Olympics here.

Here’s the application form, but be aware you should be a resident of the UK and be available for a number of rehearsals, check the website for details.

The djembe is the symbol of joy

As many of you know the Grand Master’s Tour has just finished up.

Here’s a great message from Mamady and Famoudou.

Here’s a transcription:

This tour that we are now finishing, is a tour that I have dreamed of for years.

Why have we done this tour?

It’s to show between djembefolas you must have repect not jealously. It’s not a competition.

If you give a djembe to your student, they can do the phrases you can do.

So we’re here to show the djembefolas of the world, not to create competition, but to create repect.

Because if the 2 of us create competition between us, then all the djembefolas that follow us, will make a war amonst themselves. Especially the young.

So we are creating an example for the young people, a good example.

In addition to this, I would like to say, in the name of my big brother, thank you for being here.

Don’t think of yourselves as white. Think of yourselves as doing the same mission as us.

What is that mission?

To preserve and protect the tradition of Mandeng.

And to protect tradition all over the world, and we must respect it.

..and our mission and your misssion is freedom and tollerance. To have good spirit, to be open.

To show that colour doesn’t exist. It doesn’t exist. What really matters is spirit.

Let the politicians create the borders, but us the people, we will remove the borders from our hearts.

We’ll come together and work together, we’ll come together and dance together. We’ll play together, we’ll celebrate togehers. The djembe is the symbol of joy.

My big brother and I are going to do a demonstratrion. Just to say thank you very much for being here.

…and to say that we love you from the bottom of our hearts.