Konono No.1
Topic: African Music
Konono No.1
April 28th
Great American Music Hall, San Francisco.

They were passing through San Francisco on their way to Coachella to play on the final day (Sunday).
The show was well attended, very close to capacity. GAMH had wisely put tables only along the edge of the dance floor which quickly filled up. The crowd was almost exclusively white with a very small number of African-americans and no Africans at all other than the seven on stage. The main demographic was the white male 20 or 30-something music nerd with the balance being mostly hipsters. There were some 50-something music nerds (like myself) who, in general behaved with a dignity befitting our age. I do wonder what the musicians thought of the widespread epileptic white folks dancing - so unlike the African version, lacking in any playfulness, grace or dignity. The presence of a few Africans might have helped to establish some behavioral parameters. At least the folks were dancing though. With one dancer, three guys on likembe and three on various drums and chunks of scrap metal Konono hit their groove effortlessly all night and built up an impressive momentum, several songs transported me effectively to a very different place.

All in all a good show - I just wish I could have seen them without the feeling that I was watching a largely misunderstood cultural anthropology exhibit.

Gomad for a week
Topic: Go
I can get back to thinking about music again after more than a week of Go study and play. The end result was a little shy of what I'd hoped :- The Result of the 15th Jujo Jiang Goe Tournament but it was fun nevertheless. It is strange how nothing else can absorb my time and attention as thoroughly as Go, it's like being in a time warp. When I emerge from the Go time warp the real world seems gloriously bright and lovely if the Go was good - if it was not, the world can seem grey, mundane and full of foreboding.
The other puzzling thing about Go is how clearly it shows my deepest nature. This tournament was a perfect example. On the first day my play was focused and confident and my fighting spirit and determination was firm. On the evening of the first day I had planned a perfect way to relax - a nice twilight paddle on the glassy calm Oakland channel then back to meet young Nick Jhired (up from UC Santa Cruz for the tournament and dossing at my place for the night), then a quiet dinner with Nick and his buddy Colin, maybe a game or two of Go then bed - an ideal way to prepare for a 4th round game with Jiang Ming Jiu, the 7-dan Chinese pro. The evening proceeded as planned until 7:00 when I returned home after the paddle on the bay. I had the idea of checking out what was playing in town that evening, the first place that I checked - The Bottom Of The Hill - had Subtle playing the first night of two. I really liked their latest (see my 2006 top 10) For Hero, For Fool and had never seen them - it seemed that the level of excitement that I was feeling due to the day's Go induced high pushed me irresistibly towards something that would risk my being able play well the next day. So, Nick thinks it sounds like fun - I buy two tickets online and off we go to San Francisco. It was a late show, Subtle didn't come on till after 12:00 ( the opening acts were fun - particularly Pigeon John) and it was getting towards 1:00am when we left (before the end of Subtle's very good set). Back home to Oakland, thinking that at least I didn't drink and that six plus hours sleep ought to be enough. It was not to be, I finally hit the sack at 1:30 then lay awake for maybe an hour unable to calm myself down enough to sleep. The next thing I know my grey and white furball alarm clock is waking me at his normal breakfast time of 6:30 and four hours of sleep was not enough. My focus and resolve were missing - probably still catching up on their sleep - and my Sunday games both fizzled out. It probably wouldn't have made much difference against Jiang of course but it may well have in my final game with young Matthew Burrall. Would therapy help? I know this self defeating tendancy of mine so well but that seems to be of little use.

A late entry.
Topic: African Music
Lobi Traoré : The Lobi Traoré Group

Honest Jon's Records HJRCD13
U.K. release September 2005, U.S. March 2006.



I just picked this up on December 30th and, of course, it turns out to be one of the best things I've heard all year. The cover carries a 2005 release date and I had therefore passed over it several times in the latter part of the year due to my focus on 2006 releases. It does in fact have a March 2006 US release date. As soon as I listened to it I recognised the ferocious, driving guitar from my favourite track on Damon Albarn's wonderful 2002 project - Mali Music : Afel Bocoum & Friends. Looking careful at the album notes for Mali Music I see that along with Lobi Traoré another of my top picks for 2006 was also featured - Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra. This album also has a Damon Albarn connection, he is one of the co-owners of Honest Jon's Records. Recorded in 2002 in continuous takes with no overdubbing the raw excitement of live music making is very clear and present. Lobi Traoré was 41 at time of these sessions but plays with the energy and attack of a wild 21 year old. Try to imagine a high octane Ali Farka Toure bouncing around playing speed blues in front of a funky garage/trance band punching out some of the gritiest high energy riffs you've ever heard with their mix of traditional and modern instruments. Most of the album matches the best of Congotronics 1 & 2 for relentless psychedelic African drive. This is very exciting music, if I hadn't already published my top 30 this would slot in at least as high as No.5.

Top reissues and compilations of 2006 - Part I
Topic: African Music
2006 was a wonderful year if you happened to love 50's - 80's African music. The flood of classic Congo reissues was the most notable event, leaving very little time (or cash) for listening to much else. I had said that I would post a top 20 for reissues and compilations but after more thought I feel that I must expand it to 30 to avoid excluding some important albums.
With that said, here are 21 - 30 with some brief comments:


21/. Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz : Succes Des Annees 50/60 Vol. 2
Syllart 823409

The first great Congo rumba group with a reissue only slightly less indespensible than the three others that you will find in my top 20. Perfect Docteur Nico solos abound and perhaps my favourite African Jazz song of all is to be found here - Cedel Na Nzekema.


22/. Orchestre Baobab : A Night at Club Baobab
Oriki CD01

Two very welcome Orchestre Baobab issues came my way this year - this one and also Classic Titles on the Cantos label. They share five tracks in common so I had to choose between them for this list. I decided on A Night at Club Baobab as, in my view, the eight unique tracks on this one outweigh the unique seven on Classic Titles, although Classic Titles does include the original Tante Marie - if you need it, (and don't we all?) it's on iTunes for $0.99. The material here is from 1972 - 1978 with the best tracks coming from 1978. Outstanding tracks include Jin ma jin ma, Diarabi, Liti liti and On verra ça. Not perhaps as indispensable as Bamba or Pirates Choice but if you already have those and still want more Baobab you can't go wrong here.

23/. Rochereau, Sam Mangwana et l'African Fiesta National : 1968/1969/1970
Syllart 823422

More prime Rochereau & African Fiesta National, joined on some of these songs by the wonderful voice of Sam Mangwana. The dates must be wrong though, as immediately after Mobutu's January 1st, 1968 presidential decree suspending all activities by the band due to their late arrival to his New Years Eve gala, Sam Mangwana left the band with several of their best musicians (Guvano, Bokasa, Michelino) to form a new band, Festival des Maquisards. According to Gary Stewart, Rochereau pulled things together quickly and was back in the studio within a few months with a fine new line-up. The song Libala Ya 8 Heures De Temps is from that session. Whatever the dates, this is first rate stuff - check out the song Mokitani Ya Wendo where Rochereau lays claim to the spiritual inheritance of the great Wendo Kolosoy - alone this would be worth the price of the cd but you also get Libala Ya 8 Heures De Temps, Marie Clara, Kassoule, Sophie Elodie and Mwana Ya Vangu - classics all, and not a dud amongst the remainder either.

24/. Rochereau, Mujos & Nico et l'African Fiesta : Maria Chantal
Syllart 823425

Classic African Fiesta from 1963 - 1965. Several tracks are sadly of very poor sound quality (particularly two Mujos songs, tracks # 5 & 6), still some wonderful stuff here - for example the Nico song Fiesta Suave Rithmo.


25/. Rochereau et l’African Fiesta National : 1968 - 1969
Syllart 823431

Toyota ought to use the immortal words from Rochereau's song Toyota as a slogan - BONGO, MINGI, FU! - I like it better than Fahrvergnugen anyway. It's hard to accept that there is no room for this superb collection of songs in my top 20 but that's how spoilt I've been this year, there are 24 even better ones to come!

26/. Rochereau et l'Afrisa International : A Olympia (Paris) - 1970
Syllart 823419

A landmark live recording from the first time that a Congolese artist had ever played the Paris Olympia, the pinnacle for a francophone performing artist. This was originally issued on vinyl in two volumes, squeezing it onto one cd has resulted in the loss of a few songs that I would have prefered to see here in place of the weak Fetiche or Riviera that have been included. I can't complain too much, there are still so many highlights here including Mokolo Nakokufa, Nalembi, Paulina and the closer Tika Nameka.

27/. Rochereau et l'Afrisa International : Sorozo 1977/1978
Syllart 823435

The faux applause is distracting and quite unneccessary as there is plenty of musical excitement here already - Sorozo, Ibrahim, Ponce Pilate and Afi Zena all swing in classic late 70's Rochereau style.


28/. Various Artists : The Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania
World Music Network RGNET1158CD

An outstanding introduction to the varied music of Tanzania. The only blemish is the dreadful hip-hoppy track #2, otherwise each track is lovingly chosen to showcase the major genres from folkloric pieces through big dance bands, coastal Taraab and urban pop - with some English lyrics I'd bet that the Dataz song Muume Wa Mtu would be a major dance hit in the US.

29/. Various Artists : Colonial Dance Bands 1950 & 1952
Sharp Woods SWP 031

Hugh Tracy, founder of the International Library of African Music was probably the single most important field recorder and ethnomusicologist active in mid 20th century Africa. The Sharp Woods label has been issuing these amazing recordings (often the first time these have been heard outside university ethnomusicology departments) since the late 90's and are now up to over twenty titles. Uniformly well recorded and documented and with a knack for catching the musical moment, they are all pure gold to anyone with an interest in African music. This is my favourite of this year's releases in the series - if you like it, also check out Bulawayo Jazz (SWP 032).

30/. Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz : Grand Kallé Et l'African Jazz 1966/1967
Syllart 823415

A reissue of Merveilles du Passe, Vol. 3. from a period when Grand Kalle's band was in something of a decline after Nico, Rochereau and Izeidi left to form African Fiesta. It is, nevertheless an enjoyable collection.

10 Biggest Disappointments of 2006
Topic: Other Music
The top ten albums that I wanted to love but couldn't :-

1/. Bob Dylan : Modern Times
He seems tired and cliched with nothing new to say.

2/. The Flaming Lips : At War With the Mystics
One or two good bits but really a colossal let-down. A fall from grace after two consecutive album-of-the-year awards.

3/. The Arctic Monkeys : Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.
Whatever record industry hype-merchants say I should like, that's what I don't.

4/. Joanna Newsom : Ys
Her endearing quirks become annoying affectations - and the strings suck.

5/. Jolie Holland : Springtime Can Kill You
Her endearing quirks become annoying affectations - impressive makeover though.

6/. Asobi Seksu : Citrus
Much hyped in the blogosphere, I hear vapid posturing and as much marketing as art.

7/. Cat Power : The Greatest
I loved You Are Free but found nothing equally compelling here.

8/. The Dresden Dolls : Yes, Virginia…
I listened in vain for a song as good as Coin-Operated Boy or The Jeep Song.

9/. Neko Case : Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Pretentious country (isn't that an oxymoron?).

10/. TV On The Radio : Return To Cookie Mountain
Sorry, I feel like I'm supposed to like this but I really, really don't.

Respect
Topic: Other Music
Respect to a baker's dozen of good albums that narrowly missed the cut for 2006 :-

Evangelicals : So Gone
Hotchip : The Warning
Jim Noir : Tower of Love
Tsuji Ayano : CALENDAR CALENDAR
Adem : Love and Other Planets
Victory At Sea : All Your Things Are Gone
Band Of Horses : Everything All The Time
Bonnie "Prince" Billy : The Letting Go
Aki Tsuyuko : Hokane
Gnarls Barkley : St. Elsewhere
Clipse : Hell Hath No Fury
Islands : Return to the Sea

And in a special category of its own, so as not to frighten the other albums:

Scott Walker : The Drift (should be top ten really, but don't listen to it alone at night).

Best albums of 2006 - Part III
Topic: Other Music
A few days later than promised here are 21 through 30 for my top new music albums of 2006.
Most of the members of this 10 are interchangable with 11 though 20 depending on my mood.


21/. OOIOO : Taiga
Yoshimi and friends fly their tribal taiko space ship.





22/. Beirut : Gulag Orkestar
I said it sounded like drunken Bulgarian mariachi - very good drunken Bulgarian mariachi.





23/. Ms. John Soda : Notes And The Like
From Berlin's Morr Music label - If you like Lali Puna or The Notwist give them a listen.





24/. Boris : Pink
I'm not in the mood for metal all that often, but when I am this one does the trick with awesome monster crunching power.




25/. The Decemberists : The Crane Wife
An interesting development for them, parts of this remind me of Gabriel era Genesis.





26/. Camera Obscura : Let's Get Out Of This Country
I liked it a lot more than this year's Belle & Sebastian. It covers similar territory but is altogether more charming.





27/. The Envelopes : Demon
Like gentle Sugarcubes.





28/. Augie March : Moo, You Bloody Choir
This would have been in my top 10 if the quality of the first half of the album had been maintained throughout.





29/. The Roots : Game Theory
A little uneven but the good stuff is very, very good.





30/. J Dilla : The Shining
Despite already having one album in my top 30 Dilla wins the fight for the last spot.

Best albums of 2006 - Part II
Topic: Other Music
So much music, so little time...

here's 11 through 20 for my top new music albums of 2006
21 through 30 will follow tomorrow.

11/. Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra : Boulevard De L'Independance
Toumani Diabate successfully blends the traditional and the modern with his Malian big band.





12/. Kekele : Kinavana
An all-star Congolese cast of singers and guitarists with a typically relaxed take on some Cuban classics.





13/. Juana Molina : Son
A warm sensual backrub in musical form.





14/. The Knife : Silent Shout
Spooky and catchy Swedish electro-pop.





15/. Various Artists : Midnight In Mali
An excellent live recording that perfectly captures the excitement and vitality of current Malian music.





16/. Girl Talk : Night Ripper
Super fun mash-up's from Girl Talk. The best party record of the year - no contest.





17/. The Mountain Goats : Get Lonely
Bleak and beautiful (should carry a warning sticker for depressives).





18/. Ali Farka Toure : Savane
Sad to see him go. This is up there with his finest work.





19/. Destroyer : Destroyer's Rubies
Opaque, referential and endlessly entertaining lyrics matched here with some of his best music.





20/. The Fiery Furnaces : Bitter Tea
Their best since Gallowsbird Bark.

Best albums of 2006
Topic: Other Music
Being the dyed-in-the-wool music nerd that I am December is the time for "Best of the year" charts, both sifting through other people's charts looking for clues to possible overlooked gems and - of course - sorting out my own. It has taken more effort than usual to come up with mine due to my interest in Francophone West African music exploding during 2006 into a fully fledged passion. I'm sure that I listened to more music this year than ever before and can't bring myself to list any fewer than my top 50. I'm going to split them into two charts - a new music top 30 and a top 20 for this year's reissues and compilations of the older African stuff.

First, here are my top 10 new music albums for 2006 :-

1/. Thom Yorke : The Eraser
Claustrophobic textures and intense, direct songs. The most complete album of the year.





2/. Midlake : The Trials Of Van Occupanther
Midlake long to find a grown Laura and live with her in a little house in the big woods. Wistful and lovely.





3/. Tom Ze : Estudando o Pagode
Brilliant Brazil nut returns with a great pop album on one level, astute yet surreal social polemic on another.





4/. Liars : Drum's Not Dead
Dark and tribal psychological drama - Liars resolutely go their own rather odd way (by far the best live show of the year too!).




5/. Margot & The Nuclear So And So's : The Dust Of Retreat
Don't they have the worst name in the world? But they do have tons of interesting, accessible songs and a seductively easy sound - hard to take this one out of the player.




6/. Congotronics 2: Buzz'N'Rumble From The Urban Jungle - Various Artists
Gloriously grungy tribal music from Kinshasa. The included DVD is a must-see especially for the Basokin footage.





7/. The Archie Bronson Outfit : Derdang Derdang
I can't understand why this album didn't get more attention through the year, it rocks very hard in a rootsy garage way.




8/. Bruce Springsteen : We Shall Overcome : The Seeger Sessions
Bruce's clear enjoyment is infectious.





9/. Subtle : For Hero: For Fool
Thrilling blend of experimental hip-hop flavoured rock from Oakland's Anticon collective.





10/. J Dilla : Donuts
30 great beats from one of the masters of the art.

African Pearls Vol.2 - Guinée: Cultural Revolution
Now Playing: Sara 70 : Balla Et Ses Balladins
Topic: African Music
The second in the luscious "African Pearls" series of Syllart compilations surveys the genesis of modern pop in Guinea.

African Pearls Vol.2 - Guinée: Cultural Revolution
Syllart/Discograph 6129872
2006


A beautifully packaged 2CD set with idiosyncratic yet informative notes that this time are all translated to English.
The programming of the first disc is a little patchy and unfocused compared, for instance, to the clearly folkloric tone of the first disc in the Mali set. There are only 3 tracks from the 60's and one from the 50's with the weakest and least interesting contributions coming from the mid 80's. The highlights of the first disc are Souaressi by Kouyate Sory Kandia who's majestic voice seems to make the microphone obsolete, then the 3 track series beginning with the classic Bembeya Jazz instrumental Petit Sekou (also to be found on the superb Bembeya Jazz compilation The Syliphone Years) followed by two songs by Miriam Makeba who was welcomed to Guinea in 1969 along with her Black Panther husband Stokely Carmichael by Sekou Toure the Guinean leader. The excellent short Ballets Africains de Keita Fodeba track is the sole song from the 50's and features (again) Kouyate Sory Kandia on vocals. Momo Wandel follows up with a nice (and rare) sax piece. I personally would have 86'ed the two 1986 African Virtuoses pieces and replaced them with something from the late 50's or early 60's but this is a relatively small criticism, especially in light of the second disc...

The second disc begins with another great Bembeya Jazz classic, Armée Guinéenne but after that things REALLY take off! The next nine tracks (over an hour of music) were all new to me, five of them in particular are to my mind worth the $25 price of this album individually - Maderi : Kélétigui Diabaté (a lovely, long, loping ballad sung by Baba Djan Kaba), So I Si Sa : Super Boiro Band, Nanimbaly : Camayenne Sofa and Andree : Syli Authentic and let us not forget the "music par excellence for circumcisions", (honestly - this is a direct quote from the booklet) Wousse : 22 Band Kankan. Add to this fine and rare tracks by Horoya Band, Kalum Star and Pivi et ses Balladins finishing up with the ten minute masterpiece Sara 70 (also to be found on "objectif perfection")by Balla et ses Balladins.

To sum up, the first disc is interesting with much to commend it but the second disc is a truly brilliant piece of programming making the album another essential purchase for fans of West African music.