Yve Ngoo
June 2006 - Baka Gbine, Black Mambazo, Mahotella Queens
Hello and welcome to the early summer edition of Africa on Your Street North East. If you've been as busy as I have, you'll be exhausted! There's been so much happening in African music and arts.
- Baka Gbine - Spirit of the forest
- Ladysmith Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahotella Queens
- Jambo!
- Tyne and Wear Multicultural Youth Association Music Project
- Mouth of the Tyne Festival Open-Air Evening Concert
- Yve Ngoo's recommended CDs
Baka Gbine - Spirit of the forest
Firstly, I'd like to relive the spirit of the rainforest! Or, in other words, tell you about the very special day I spent with the Baka Pygmies of the Cameroonian Rainforest and Baka Beyond on their memorable, historical visit to the region.
One of the 'must see' attractions on their whistle-stop visit to the north east was the sea-side! Not one of the seven wonders of the world you may say, but for someone who has never seen the horizon, never mind gaze into infinity across the roaring North Sea, it's a pretty impressive sight. The Baka were overwhelmed by sights we too readily take for granted.
If you were fortunate enough to catch Baka Gbine on their first ever European tour, you must agree they were most welcome guests who entertained and educated in equal measures. Su Hart, co-founder of Baka Gbine and one third of Baka Beyond, hails from Gateshead, and it was her mum and dad who kindly 'put up' the Baka and crew when they visited the region. So, my first encounter with my fellow countrymen (my father is Cameroonian), was in a modest family home on the outskirts of Newcastle, around a table groaning with roast chicken, potatoes, and lots of chilli sauce!
As we all tucked into the grub, I asked the Baka and Su Hart, how they were finding the UK?
Yve : I'd like to welcome you all to the Sage Gateshead. It's an absolute honour to have you here. How have you found the UK so far?
Baka : All is good for us here, but too cold to start with!
Yve : English people seem to be obsessed with two things; the weather and food; what do you think of the English weather and English food?
Baka : Too cold! Food good!
Yve : What's the main reason for the Baka Gbine tour?
Su : The Baka have wanted to visit for years, and now they have their own solar powered album to share it felt like the right time. They have Gati Bongo , our award-winning, solar powered CD to promote (for more info and to purchase a copy visit their website )!
Yve : What do you aim to do with the proceeds from the tour?
Baka : As yet ideas are still under discussion. We could possibly help to build house with it. It's difficult to decide.
Yve : When the Baka return home, what's next for Baka Gbine?
Baka : We hope to do a tour in Cameroon.
Yve : When you return home, will stories and tales of your adventures in England go down in Baka history? How are you going to retell and record your experiences?
Baka : We will talk and we will write songs. Su and Martin (Su's partner and co-founder of Baka Beyond ) have given us books full of photos to show to everyone, too.
Yve : What's next for Baka Beyond, as 'Baka Beyond?'
Su : We have gigs to do. Four at the Eden Project , Cornwall on 25th and 26th July and 1st and 2nd August, amongst the UK gigs, and a tour of Canada, check Baka Beyond's website for details. Also we will be setting up a festival of tribal people in Ethiopia in December (find out more on the Global Music Exchange site) .
Yve : And finally, a word from the Baka to all your fans at Africa on Your Street!
Su : If you have access to the internet, we'd be delighted if you could log onto Africa on Your Street and say 'hello' to the 1,000's of people who have experienced the Spirit of the Forest on your first UK tour. We want everyone to hear our music!!
Stop Press: an email update from Su Hart of Baka Beyond: "Hi Yve, just to let me know the Baka returned home to Cameroon, safe and sound, accompanied by Martin. Unfortunately, as soon as they got back, a lot of their money was stolen. Martin had locked the money in the only secure building, at the music house but someone came in the night and smashed the wall down!"
"It's so upsetting but that is reality there; everyone knows everything and everyone is poor and the Baka don't have much power in Cameroon - it's so frustrating! It took a year to make this tour happen and all went so well until this sting in the tail!"
Re-imbibe yourself with the spirit of the Cameroonian Rainforest with this exclusive photo gallery celebrating Baka Gbine's historic performance at the Sage Gateshead, May 2006. Here's hoping the Baka come back soon!
Ladysmith Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahotella Queens
They came they sang, and they went; but for two South Africans, who've made their home here in the region, the music lives on in their hearts forever. Performance poet Nkosana Mpofu and acclaimed artist Lilian Nabulime review Ladysmith Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahotella Queens' show at the Sage Gateshead on 22 May.
Here's Nkosana's account of a concert to remember: 'Hmm, hmm, hmm - sing! Melody without instruments, birds humming, cooing, cocks, cockerels and quaking hens, sounds roll off tongues amicably. A band of heavy men stomping the stage with a rhythm; then a signal and they tiptoe backwards and forth, in some formation; a rigorous exercise.
'Uplifting - the buzzing, hissing, humming, clicking and kissing; a tirade of cracking sounds emulating nature. At the Sage, Black Mambazo at their best stomped the floor with the agility of leopards. Their voices well modulated as if all computerised, bass, tenor and alto blending in with the gri, gri, eeh, eeh, eshe (pronounced - gree, gree, e, e, air-share).
'I felt and relived the happiness and warmth of the South as they sang about joy, and again I felt the misery and despair as they portrayed homelessness. Happy songs such as Hello My Baby - a beautiful piece about love was delivered in a jovial and light hearted way; the ensemble blowing kisses to the audiences, tiptoeing, kicking, gyrating and locking arms at some point.
'Their voices were emotive, emphatic and loaded with meaning, a strand of oral tradition that they portrayed very well. The audience was calm; taking it in peacefully, as is the culture here, no dancing contrary to the Zulu culture, save for the intermittent ululating souls at the front to complement the a cappella. Li, li, li (lee, lee, lee) belilizela, the onomatopoeia from Li, li, li.
'Along side, the Mahotella Queens all the way from Johannesburg, young souls encased in older frames titillating their shrills of uMbhaqanga, their own invention with the late members of the band.
'Like tiny birds they hopped about, in their own formations, soulfully throwing their hands to the sides up and down. They sang some of the oldest songs in South Africa - iMbube Mama, popularly known in the west as The Lion Sleeps Tonight; they hummed it in their way and gave the South African feel. The explosive clicks spat at us could not help but tickle us to rounds of applause. Wi, wi, wi - wi, wi, wi -wi, wi, wi yimbube mama. I got that genuine feel of home where voices reverberate between the mountains as we sing loudly in that frenetic mood. Ahh bafowethu niphilile kodwa. Children from home are you fine? That was Joseph Shabalala meeting a group of Africans. Woz' ungithathe.'
For those of you who'd rather strut your stuff on stage than just watch, check out these great new African arts and music projects:
Jambo!
Dance City on Saturday, 27 May, saw Jambo Theatre , Newcastle's first African theatrical arts group, perform 'Somewhere Only I Know'. This was Jambo Theatre's first performance, and work in progress.
'Somewhere Only I Know' is a new work devised, produced, performed and directed by the Jambo players, all of whom are of African origin. You'll have another opportunity to see 'Somewhere Only I' as part of the celebrations for refugee week in Newcastle, and on Saturday, 24 June, in Sunderland Winter Gardens, and then further dates in July including Ouseburn Festival, 7pm, 21 July at St Michael's Church, Byker.
Jambo Africa facilitates and promotes creativity in the African community in the North East of England, with a focus on performance and media. They are also doing dance, music and theatre workshops with the South African artist's resident in the region over the next month. These workshops are for Jambo Theatre members, and other people of African origin who would like to participate. For more info on Jambo activities and performances, contact jamboafrica@hotmail.co.uk and also check out the Jambo photo gallery .
Tyne and Wear Multicultural Youth Association Music Project
Tyne & Wear Multicultural Youth Association aims to promote the social and cultural integration of young people from in different backgrounds in Tyne and Wear.
At moment the group are working in music project with young people from different ethnic backgrounds, who have settled in Tyne and Wear to integrate with local community. The project organiser is Angolan-born, Simao Timoteo, so expect a rich African flavour to the music!
The group meet every Thursday at St. John Baptist Church, Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, between 4pm - 7pm. Also they have their first performance in Blackfriars, Manors on the 3 June, between 3pm - 7pm. For more info contact Simao Timoteo on 077 3715 4293.
Mouth of the Tyne Festival Open-Air Evening Concert
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Tynemouth Priory and Castle, dance the night away to the cool summer vibes of the Afro-Cuban All Stars, led by Buena Vista Social Club creator Juan de Marcos González, Saturday 15th July 2006, 6pm. The hottest big band in Cuba today, the 16-piece All Stars dazzle with their playing. Definitely a dancing treat for your feet, and certainly not to be missed!
The All Stars will be joined by Natacha Atlas, the Queen of new North African Soul, plus special guests.
This stunning location will provide the setting for this ticket-only event. Tickets are available from the Sage Gateshead on 0191 443 4661 or by visiting www.thesagegateshead.org .
Phew! Well, there's plenty to keep you occupied till the next edition of Africa on your Street North East. And for staying in check out my CD recommendations.
Please remember, if you know of any African arts and cultural activities happening across the region, share your news with AOYS.
Bisou
Yve X
Yve Ngoo's recommended CDs
Various artists - African Rebel Music - Roots Reggae and Dancehall
Various artists - South African Gospel
Inemo - Afro Funky Beats
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.