Yve Ngoo
October 2006 - Freshlyground, L'Afrique à Newcastle and Ballas
Hello and welcome back to all Africa on Your Street fans in the North of England. Autumn is always a busy time with lots of festivals, gigs and exhibitions offering a truly pan-African flavour.
- Freshlyground: A fresh new sound
- L'Afrique à Newcastle
- Ballas de l'Afrique
- Musicport 2006
- Yve Ngoo's Recommended CDs
Freshlyground: A fresh new sound
To celebrate the release of their infectious UK breakthrough single 'Doo Bee Doo' , Africa On Your Street sent along Nkosana Mpofu to review the South African pop sensation Freshlyground when they recently played Gateshead's Caedmon Hall:
Sing-along if you know their music or hum to their rhythm if you know anything similar - it wasn't that sort of gig, it was something new, perhaps new to the Northern hemisphere. It was a new fusion of sorts dipping into the traditions of Rumba, mbira, reggae, soul, Afro jazz, Township Jive, R'n'B and mbaqanga.
Freshlyground do not mimic these genres but, by stretching tunes and instruments a bit further, get the usual plus an additional touch to give it the Freshlyground resonance. Tonight they are on stage, backed with a seven piece big band.
Aron Turest-Swartz, Josh Hawks and Peter Cohen are from Cape Town; Kyla Smith hails from Johannesburg, Zolani Mahola from Port Elizabeth, Julio Sigauque from Maputo and Simon Artwell from Zimbabwe. The University of Cape Town presented us with the ensemble - fresh from the grinder is their blend - addictive and unique.
The group easily got the audience on their feet, to join in their fancy kicks and styles - igwamugwamu, itshona phansi = 'get down' . One of their quick to learn dance forms was three hops forward, a throw of hands and three hops backwards. Gwamugwamu for the man was taxing but pleasant to watch; as one lowers his body the leg muscles pull and hurt.
Gwamugwamu is the fifties style where women would twist and turn in front of men with baggy pants whispering ngiyohamba nawe - meaning 'I will go with you'. It is those frenetic moments that live gigs are about that; the friendly atmosphere where we loose ourselves in dance and forget about our worries.
The show was fantastic; Zolani possesses an excellent talent - a powerful voice with which she spills out her soul in her intimate songs - 'I Would Like..' . She reverberates above the loud guitar with gestures to aid her emotions, at that moment she sways like an African mother singing to a baby strapped on her back.
Intermittently she makes rhythmic, non-committal sounds, without meaning 'oho, oho, oho - oho' , but very effective. This is song in Africa and the audiences would join in and chant. Her combination with the group is phenomenal - give the youngsters a few more years to stretch their talents, and they will rock the world.
'Doo Bee Doo' is taken from the album 'Nomvula' (2006). Check out Freshlyground's website .
(review by Nkosana Mpofu)
L'Afrique à Newcastle
Firstly, this year's L'Afrique à Newcastle (18-24 September 2006) came and went with a bang! Now in its forth year, the short but deliciously sweet five-day festival launched its music programme with a spectacular carnival procession on Saturday, 23 September, starting at Baltic Square, Newcastle, and ending at Grey's Monument in the city centre. Then, a free concert showcased two of the biggest names in African music, both performing for the first time in the North East. Check out the photo gallery taken by myself and Bee!
Assan Ndiaye , master of the Senegalaese 'mbalax' sound, warmed up the crowds with his percussion-led dance music. Mbalax is the sound most of know through Youssou N'Dour . It's impossible to keep still when you hear mbalax!
The crowd's built and milled in anticipation for the headline act, Ivorian reggae legend, Alpha Blondy , arguably the biggest name in African reggae (a title he vies with Lucky Dube of South Africa). This was Alpha's first time in the region - and hopefully, not his last.
Beninese diva Angelique Kidjo , one of the major stars of World Music, brought the L'Afrique week to a close in the prestigious setting of the Sage Gateshead on the 24 September. Click here for an exclusive interview with Angelique Kidjo during her visit to Newcastle!
Ballas de l'Afrique
North East's number one African star Ballas is a man on a mission: to rid the developing world of poverty and mosquitoes through truth, love and music! Check out his new CD 'NO More' . With the support of local music producer (and kindred spirit) Giress M'badinga , Ballas has recorded his UK debut CD on Igarka Music, Newcastle 's first African record label. Find out more about Ballas here .
Competition: I have two copies of 'No More' to give away - one can be yours if you answer this simple question:
Enter the competition before the closing date of 19 October 2006 . Good Luck!
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
Musicport 2006
It's becoming an Africa On Your Street ritual and a highlight of my post-summer calendar! Whitby's Musicport weekend is a top notch, international, multi-cultural music festival from October 20th to 22nd 2006. There's still a few day/night passes for selected events, from a programme that includes Chartwell Dutiro , our own Robert Maseko, Mas Ye Mas, Apache Indian, Rise Kagona (ex- Bhundu Boys ), the fabulous Trojan Sound System, Bongo, Natacha Atlas, plus many more than I can mention. There are also loads of workshops in dance arts and crafts. I'll be there so come and say hello, and maybe get your photo in the next Africa On Your Street Musicport photo gallery!
Ring 0845 3732760 for all ticket enquiries or email: tickets@whitbymusicport.com
Well, there's plenty to keep you busy till the next edition of Africa On Your Street North East. And for staying in, check out my CD recommendations below.
Please remember, if you know of any African arts and cultural activities happening across the region, share your news with us.
Bisou
Yve
Yve Ngoo's Recommended CDs
Sally Nyolo and the Original Bands of Yaoundé - Studio Cameroon
Various Artists - Think Global: West Africa Unwired
Ballas says No!
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.