Bembeya Jazz National - The Syliphone Years

(Sterns Africa 2004)

Bembeya Jazz National are one of those bands that don't seem to stop. And like the river from which they took their name from, Bembeya Jazz just flows. Originally formed in 1961, in Guinea, Bembeya jazz continued to actively play until the early 1990s. Their latest offering is a double CD with a collection of favourites, as well as rare recordings, from the 1960s and 1970s. This celebratory album brings home the reasons why many still regard them as ambassadors of African music generally. My favourite will always be the very popular 'Mami Wati'.

Reviewer : Chino Odimba

Mami Wati (clip)