Chino Odimba
December 2005- Highlights of 2005, Ellika & Solo and Atonga Zimba
Welcome, and let me take you back....back through the musical places where we have been in 2005.
Highlights of 2005
How the memories of summer have faded, and the winter is seriously taking over, the last thing we would do here on Africa on Your Street is let all the African music lovers out there forget the truly magical and heart warming music that we have brought you throughout the year.
Before we say goodbye to this year, and start looking forward to 2006, there is still plenty of outrageously good music to be enjoyed.
In February, Daara J came to Bristol city in style - as part of the African Soul Rebels tour - they proved why they has been going from strength to strength in the international African music scene. Their album 'Boomerang' took Sengalese hip hop music to new levels. And in 2006, the African Soul Rebels tour comes back to Bristol and around the UK with Amadou & Miriam, Emmanuel Jal and Souad Massi - look out for this sensational trio in the new year.
In March there was a rare treat in the form of Nass Marrakech . A fusion of music from north and West Africa - and particularly the gnawa sound of Northern Africa. This understated band brought the best in percussion from across all regions of Africa. Expect to hear more from them in the next few years - but in the meantime their album 'Bouderbala' is just a taste of this unique and experimental take on the traditional.
In May we thought we would spoil you with the delightful vocals of Dobet Gnahore . Now nominated under the Best Newcomer title for the BBC Radio 3 Music Awards 2006 , Dobet, a young artist from Ivory Coast, will definitely be a voice of the future in African music internationally. We are still waiting for her South West gig dates - please!
In June I couldn't resist the opportunity to see Mory Kante play live at a new festival in Cheltenham. Having only just released his lastest album 'Sabou', it really was a performance by one of the greatest. The talent and charm that you hear in his music is even better when you can see him on a stage.
July saw two massive events - and we were there for both. The Eden Project/Live 8 Africa Calling event brought African music heavy weights to Cornwall like never before. Geoffery Oreyema, Angelique Kidjo, Thomas Maputo, Youssour N'Dour, Kanda Bongo Man, Emmanuel Jal , and Ayub Ogada are just a few to mention. It was a day that showed the true spirit of African music - intimate, joyful and infectious.
Then it was time for WOMAD and Africa on Your Street did what we are best at doing - putting on a fantastic and diverse range of African music from the artists based in the UK. Carmen Souza, The Heritage Survival band and the legendary Nana Tsiboe were just some of the artists that played on the Africa on Your Street day. But for me, Atonga Zimba was a real pleasure. He brings humour and storytelling to his music - and he really pleased the crowds. You can catch a review of his latest album
In September we decided to put on our show called 'Karamu' . With the help BBC Radio Bristol and the ROOTS Project, we created a whole day in the heart of Bristol for people to enjoy and participate in African music, with musicians such as Chartwell Dutiro, Pinise Saul and Albert Nyathi & Imbongi . Bringing all aspects of African Culture here in Bristol and the UK under one roof for a spectular day of food, dance, visual arts and music.
And in November the beautiful and sublime presence of Lura still lingers in the air after her performance here in Bristol last week.
And finally, the nominees for Album of the Year in the Radio 3 Awards for World Music have just been announced - and all four albums on the shortlist are African! The shortlisted artists are Amadou and Miriam , Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate , Salif Keita and Thione Seck . Every one of them from West Africa - so what does that say? Does this reflect the quality of the music, or do West African artists just benefit from better promotion in Europe than artists from the rest of the continent? Let me know what you think by posting your comments .
Ellika and Solo
The duo are back - and back in style. Ellika Frissell and Solo Cissoko are two very talented people, but together they become something really amazing. The blending of the fiddle with the kora, as well as their obvious admiration for their very different traditions must be the key to this hugely successful partnership. Swedish and Sengalese all rolled into one melting pot of music. This latest album - ' Abaraka!Tack!' (Xource, 2005) is everything that you should expect from them, and working with musicians such as Seckou Keita and more (many of whom are relatives of Solo's), there isn't a moment to take a breath.
Atongo Zimba
Finally, the one album I have been waiting for all year has been released -
'Savannah Breeze'
(Hippo Records, 2005). There is not much I can say about Atongo Zimba's music that would be able to really explain it to you. It is fresh, it makes the heart sing and dance, and more than anything it is filled with talent. Oh there is one thing - the instrument Atongo plays might not sound like anything you have ever heard before - and that is because you probably have never heard it before. The 'koloko' is very similar to the banjo in the way that it is played - but sounds like - well, like I said, I can't describe it - it's sweet though! So if you want to know, you will just have to have a listen. 
Upcoming gigs If you are wondering what has happened to all the sunshine and dancing through the night - it's gone but if you want to dance under some cover and get into that African music groove again then check out the African Soul Rebels tour coming soon to Bristol and a venue near you - featuring Amadou & Miriam, Emmanuel Jal and Souad Massi . Also Senegalese kora player Kadially Kouyate will be at the Music Room at the Mac on 7 February 2006.
Chino's recommended CDs
Ellika and Solo - Abaraka!Tack!
Atongo Zimba - Savannah Breeze
Check out my recommended CDs this month in the CD Reviews section or go to Music Search to look at our archive of recommended CDs