CD Review: Various Artists' 'Sembeh Ma Fa Fe: Roots Volume'

Various Artists
Sembeh Ma Fa Fe: Roots Volume
Stronghold Sound

The San Francisco-based label, Stronghold Sound, continues to pump out some great African tunes on Sembeh Ma Fa Fe: Roots Volume. The new album continues in the tradition of Guinean folk rhythms in a contemporary context. The sixteen-track album contains music by Guinea's great, including Blondi, Saran, Bosta, Aisha, Alassane, MyBaby, Cissoko, Captain Planet, J-Boogie, Dub Snakkr, and Balandougou Kan. The contemporary music is Afro-pop-based with killer percussion moments, rippling guitars, and crooning vocals. Fans of Stronghold Sound already know about this album. Anyone with an interest in Guinean music, West African music, and African music in general, will find it very fascinating and ear-friendly. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mandingo Ambassadors' 'Tougna'

Mandingo Ambassadors
Tougna
Engine Studios

The Guinean-born group, Mandingo Ambassadors, is led by guitarist and director, Mamady Kouyate. Bebe Camara is the vocalist. The guitar is also played by Mamady Kourouma. Jazzy sax and flute renditions are provided by Sylvain Leroux, but sax and clarinet accompaniment can be attributed to Oran Etkin. The energetic drums are played by Andy Algire, while bass guitar by Nick Cudahy is very smooth. Foluso Mimy provides an uptempo mix of percussion instruments to go along with the melodies. The lively, dance-laden rhythms are iconic of Africa's Western coasts. The instrumental musical segments are very danceable and nothing short of brilliant. The eight long tracks are worthwhile for anyone interested in Guinean popular music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mamady Keita's 'Mandeng Djara'

Mamady Keita
Mandeng Djara
Fonti Musicali

Guinea's Mamady Keita releases a Guinean-recorded album of percussive ingeniousness. The eleven tracks explore severall different, but related Guinean dance rhythms, including Fe, Fartalen, Kelu, Dunun Kura, Su, Koro, Kenya, Zaouli, Kedju, Kalah, and Djara. The music contains the instruments of the djembe, balafon, flute, kora, sangban, dununba, djabara, and kenkeni. The entire album runs nearly seventy-seventy minutes long, so there are no shortage of dance rhythms here. There are also various chants that accompany some of the songs, but they are not particularly overt. Mamady's wife, Monette Marino Keita, an acclaimed and award-winning percussionist in her own right, lends her hands on the drums for a few tracks. Fans of Guinean percussion music will especially enjoy Mandeng Djara. ~ Matthew Forss