Yve Ngoo
December 2005 - M.A.S.S, MC Chef and African Gospel
Welcome - it's coming to the end of a busy year but there's still lots to get your ears round in Newcastle.
- M.A.S.S and MC Chef
- African Gospel
- Jambo FM
- STOP PRESS: AFRICAN SOUL REBELS 2006 + SPECIAL FILM SCREENING and more…..
- And finally.... Do They Know It's Christmas?
- Yve's recommended CDs
M.A.S.S and MC Chef
What a hot year for Africa here in the north east. We've had tea with Tinariwen , met the Algerian Elvis Khaled , not forgetting the god father James Brown , hosted Womex on the banks of the Tyne and L'Afrique a Newcastle . Phew!
Whilst Tony Allen was serving up Home Cookin', accompanied by some delicious visuals at the Sage as part of L'Afrique a Newcastle 2005; MC Chef and M.A.S.S were toasting the crowds.
Relative new comers to the scene, M.A.S.S, made their mark at the offWOMEX "Best of British" Showcase.
Based in Newcastle, M.A.S.S were formed members Mando, Pete and Ash met Ugandan born John Okello (aka MC Chef) at the Newcastle leg of Freeness ; artist Chris Ofili's project to tour the UK to discover original music of black origin.
(The Glasgow group Zuba also came to wider attention via the Scottish heat of Freeness).
MC Chef is lyrically talented with slick vocals to match; he knows exactly how to work a crowd, as was apparent when he was support for Tony Allen's Africa Fever at L'Afrique a Newcastle 2005, as well as wowing the crowds at Carnival L'Afrique .
Right now there is no other MC who sounds or expresses himself in such a way as this guy; a heady mix of fast 'n furious raga-tinged delivery, with an East London twang and the narrative of a conscious young man with a proud African heritage.
2006 promises big things for M.A.S.S, so watch this space for an interview with MC Chef and the band.
African Gospel
Heavenly sounds - on your street! Along with traditional drumming, Afro-Hip-Hop and urban Afro-fusions, here's another style of music, gently spreading across the northeast, courtesy of our vibrant African community. Gospel!
Pentecostal worship is extremely popular across Africa, and continues to be followed by the new African communities settling across the UK
Pentecostal devotion combines enthusiastic prayer, dance, song and joyous celebration (predominantly African cultural features).
Throughout the region, Africans and their neighbours worship in various languages, including Swahili, Farsi, Amharic, Arabic, French, Farsi, Portuguese and English; each congregation has its distinct style of Gospel music from the exuberant big band sound to gentle acoustic-backed hymns and psalms from the East African Golgopha Church .
However, you don't have to be a regular Sunday attendee to enjoy the music. Most churches with a sizable African congregation have weekly music meetings. Many have also arranged community events for Christmas worship. Wherever you live in the UK , with a little local research and your ear to the ground, you'll soon sound out some divine sounds. Here are some for starters in Newcastle :
Apostolic Church Spital Tongues Newcastle Contact: Pastor Ameobi
International Harvest Church Stanhope Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 5HJ
Robert Stewart Memorial Church URC Wingrove Rd Fenham Newcastle Contact: Pastor Jean Baptiste
Golgotha Church c/o Salvation Army City Temple 146 Westgate Road Newcastle City Centre Newcastle NE1 Contact: Pastor Daniel Habteg
Jambo FM
Not a lot of people may not know this, but for a few weeks in November, Jambo Africa, the region's first African orientated radio station, took to the air. Jambo Africa was part of community radio WEB FM, which broadcast from the West End of Newcastle. You missed it? Well, don't worry. Jambo was a great success and aims to return to the airwaves in 2006. Jambo will play traditional and popular African music, host a discussion show, regular news from home and away, and there's even talk of African radio drama. Of course, AOYS will be keen to support Jambo; so don't touch that dial - just yet!
If anything about Jambo Africa interests you, or you have questions or suggestions, you can contact the team at: jamboafrica@hotmail.co.uk , and say Jambo!
STOP PRESS: AFRICAN SOUL REBELS 2006 + SPECIAL FILM SCREENING and more…..
The African Soul Rebels Tour 2005, at the Sage Gateshead was a great musical and cultural success; a real bone-fide ‘rock n roll’ tour that turned all perceptions of African music, on its head.
Featuring Senegalese Hip-Hop Ragga-Boys, Darra J, those funky Touareg’s, Tinariwen and multi-million selling Arabic rocker, Rachid Taha, audiences across the UK tuned into the new sounds of Africa. For 2006, once again, the line-up is equally eclectic, treating UK audiences to a taste of delicious music from the diverse continent:
Souad Massi: The Algerian singer songwriter whose plaintive and emotive ballads spikes the consciousness and enthrals the spirit.
Amadou & Mariam: The funky delectable loved – up duo have found a place in the nation’s hearts after appearances on ‘Later with Jools Holland’. The Womack and Womack for a new generation.
Emmanuel Jal: Inspirational Rap star Emmanuel Jal is a former child soldier who wowed at Live 8 and is now one of Raps hottest stars out side the USA.
African Soul Rebels UK Tour 2006 hits The Sage Gateshead on 28 February 2006. Call 0191 443 4661 for details.
Dimanche à Bamako at The Tyneside Cinema To complement African Soul Rebels 2006, the Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle, is showing a special screening of ‘Dimanche à Bamako’ a documentary featuring Amadou & Miriam as they record their million selling album of the same name. ‘Dimanche à Bamako’ was directed by Marc-Antoine Moreau and is in French and the Malian language, Bambara, with English sub-titles
Wednesday 1st March (2.00 pm / 6.15 pm / 8.30 pm) Tyneside Cinema Newcastle upon Tyne 0191 232 8289 www.tynecine.org
Get ‘em whilst they’re hot!!! Exclusive ‘African Soul Rebels 2006’ sampler CD. I have twenty sampler CD’s of the 2006 tour to give away; featuring Souad Massi, Amadou & Miriam and Emmanuel Jal.
Fancy one??? Well, email your name and address to yve.ngoo@bbc.co.uk . Your name will be put into a hat and 20 lucky people will receive one of these exclusive CD’s. Good Luck!
And finally.... Do They Know It's Christmas?
I'd like to point you in the direction of 'Highway Home' a poignant new collection of photographic work by South African born, Steven Brough.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support, and wish you kindest regards and best wishes for 2006.
Bisou,
Yve
Yve's recommended CDs
Rachel Magoola - Songs from the Source of the Nile
Gregg Kofi Brown feat. Sting - Together as One
Zuba - Allez!
Cheikh Lo - Lamp Fall