Chino Odimba
June 2004 - Festival Season
It's festival season so take your shoes off and enjoy. Already in Bristol and around we have been spoilt for choice.
- Bath International Music Festival
- Africa Oye Festival in Liverpool
- WOMAD Festival in Reading
- Chino Odimba's Recommended CDs
Bath International Music Festival
At the annual Bath International Music Festival, Malian singer Kandia Kouyate gave a performance - that could only have been bettered with a bowl of sweet gari and the sound of the sea. I know I am talking about food as usual but if food is good it will always make you want to dance. Anyway back to the music !
Kandia Kouyate is, unsurprisingly when you see her sing, a female Griot. Her task is simple - to pass praises and stories of her heritage through her songs and her music, and no-one can deny how well she does it. Her singing is both gritty and soulful - she makes no attempt to contain this powerful voice. Kandia Kouyate is a storyteller - but remember the story of the pied piper because her voice will carry you to wherever she wants you to be. Have a listen to 'Biriko' and see what you think.
On this occasion she was joined by Juliet Roberts (British jazz singer) and Shubha Mudgal (Indian classical singer) - and between them they gave a performance that I can say for once was truly world music.
Those lovely people at Bath International Music Festival also helped bring my fellow AYOS street host Rita Ray - formally known as The Shrine Synchro system - for a night of the usual great beats, electric live music and funky Fela Kuti sounds. A must for anyone serious about Afro-beat.
Oh, you think I am going to finish there right? Never! RecentlyPapa Noel (so called because he was born on Christmas day) played at Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter as part of his 'Bana Congo' Tour- named after the album released two years ago. Although officially one of the grandfathers of Congolese music, Papa Noel still keeps his reputation for producing the best in Congolese music again and again. He has been recording since 1957, has played with some the greatest Congolese and African Rumba musicians of all time - well, okay, I mean Franco, the king of Rumba, and many others such as Dr Nico and Sam Mangwana. But most impressively after all this time, Papa Noel is still bringing something new to the music. This time he is travelling with Papi Oviedo from Cuba.
Africa Oye Festival in Liverpool
Now you may be excused for venturing further than the South West on the understanding that you make your way to the Africa Oye music festival in Liverpool this June. I know, it is not in Bristol - and we must put a stop to anything exciting happening outside this beautiful region but this is the way it is. And this year apart from Farafina, Daby Toure, N'der and Setsima all playing at the festival, they have also got a very rare performance by Gangbe Brass Band.
The words Brass Band should not be used loosely when referring to these 9 musicians, all from Benin, who make nine musicians sound like a whole orchestra easily. Famous for their glittering outfits, they are also well known for astounding audiences with their epic musical creations and their talent as musicians. Their music is a fusion of the traditional drums and experimental horns. As fewer and fewer musical names from Benin are able to make themselves visible in the music industry now, this is your chance to see and hear something quite unique.
WOMAD Festival in Reading
And don't forget our locally made WOMAD festival in Reading. This year WOMAD Reading brings you Daara J, Rokia Traore, Tinawiren and many more - and of course, don't forget your Africa On Your Street hosts will be making an appearance where possible. Radio 3 will again be hosting the World on your Street stage, featuring intimate acoustic performances from UK-based musicians. Friday, 23 July will be Africa on your Street day - more details on that coming soon. See you there! Visit womad.org/reading/ for general festival information.
I hope you all get in the festival spirit. And remember the sun is best seen when you are dancing under it.
Please leave your comments or reviews of any of the events and gigs in the comments box below.
Chino
Chino Odimba's Recommended CDs
Kandia Kouyate - Biriko
Papa Noel and Papi Oviedo - Bana Congo
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