Yve Ngoo
October 2005 - James Brown, Tony Allen, Lokua Kanza
Welcome back! Autumn is always one of my busiest periods, so prepare for Afro-info-overload.
- James Brown - the Granddaddy of Afro-funk
- Carnival L'Afrique a Newcastle
- Tony Allen's African Fever
- Yve Ngoo's Recommended CDs
James Brown - the Granddaddy of Afro-funk
I caught up with Mr James Brown on the momentous occasion of him playing the Sage Gateshead as part of his '7 Decades of Funk' European tour.
For over 50 years, from his first evocative plea...'Please, Please, Please' in 1956 James Brown has had a profound influence on popular music, including funk, rock, disco and rap; though not enough credit is given to his contribution to Afro-funk.
I was absolutely delighted (and a little scared), to be granted an audience with the Godfather of Soul and granddaddy of Afro-Funk.
James Brown is cited by contemporary African musicians as a major influence. In the late 60s and early 70s, a lot of West African Hi-Life reflected western pop and rock; predominantly the sounds of black America and most definitely, the music of James Brown. James gave birth to Funk, with its African orientated rhythms and contemporary take on the traditional African music narrative 'call and response'.
With its backbeats and socially conscious lyrics, Funk also provided the soundtrack to the black civil rights era, firing the imagination of African musicians and recording artists. At a time when race and politics were centre stage, many African-Americans explored their African heritage and identity. James Brown attained the status of a musical and cultural revolutionary, coining the phrase 'Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud', a title of his song and message of black pride and self-sufficiency. James also took to wearing his hair in a natural 'afro'.
His unique, 3-beat rhythms were acknowledged by 70's African artists such as Fela Kuti, Osibisa and the Ashanti Chiefs who also experimented with western sounds such as psychedelia, and rock.
For those out there who can't comprehend traditional African sounds fused with (the then) progressive rock riffs, and funky Hammond solos - get your ears around some top notch re-issues by bands such as Nigeria's William Onyeabor, the Super Eagles or the Daktari's covers of James Brown classics. Or check out a previous Africa on your Street recommendation; World Psychedelic Classics 3 - Love's A Real Thing: The Funky Fuzzy Sounds of West Africa .
More recently, James' powerful lament, 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' has been beautifully re-worked for kora and voice by West African griot, Sekouba.
Live 8: 'I did it because this is in my heart - anywhere I go, anything I can do to help victims of rough circumstances that we can prevent, I want to be a part of it. Anything that will help humanity; I know people need help, so I talk about the issues, whether it's Rwanda, the Tsunami, people on the street in this country- it can be anywhere. The concert (Live8) made us aware of these problems.'
Being one of only a few artists of black origin performing at Live 8: 'I don't perform as a black artist - I perform as a man who sings music and makes music. We segregate too much - but we don't segregate when people are hungry, when I see a child, I see a child, whether he's black, white, red, purple or orange. I fought years ago to raise awareness and I'm still doing it now. To make people aware there are a lot of people hungry, not just black kids, white kids - people are hungry.'
The secret of longevity: 'My wife, (singer Tommie Rae Brown), a good entourage and management, and divine intervention.'
Africa and his first visiting Zaire in 1974: 'I was surprised at the outpouring of love from my African brothers and sisters and it (Africa) was so vast. I saw children in the bush, walking with records underneath their arms, but nothing to play them on, walking to gather at someone's house who had a record player.'
Being a proud and patriotic American: 'America is my home. At my house, we fly the American flag, and the UN flag because I feel for people all over, as I've been all over. If you ignore your home, you ignore your soul.'
The key to success being great hair and great teeth: 'I bought these (flashing a toothy smile), and I was loosing my hair, so I bought some of that! God made it alright for me to get some teeth, but these are not the first ones he gave me.'
Being talented from an early age: 'Talent comes from something you can't see - the Holy Spirit. My parents, my father, the community, could all beat me at singing, but for some reason, God and the Holy Spirit adopted me, and I'm glad I'm here.'
Carnival L'Afrique a Newcastle
With two nights of music at The Sage Gateshead, a Carnival at the Monument in Newcastle, a special screening of the film Hotel Rwanda at the Tyneside Cinema and workshops at the Discovery Museum, the L'Afrique a Newcastle Festival 2005 was bigger and better than ever!
Did you attend L'Afrique a Newcastle 2005, and if you did - how was it for you? Share your thoughts .
Tony Allen's African Fever
Last month, Tony Allen - the man who created Afrobeat with Fela Kuti - made a shed load of new friends when he played the Sage Gateshead as part of L'Afrique a Newcastle 2005. Over two decades after leaving Fela's band, Tony remains a trail blazer. He may be a drummer, but commands centre-stage, at heart of the ensemble, dictating the beat and rhythm that flows life-blood to the rest of the band!
'African Fever' was Allen's set, based on previously recorded and new music with reference to albums such as 'Home Cooking', 'Eager Hands and Restless Feet', 'Black Voices' and 'Afrobeat Express'. I loved hearing the track 'Home Cooking', with its delicious shuffle beat - an ode to the sins of eating junk-food and a tongue-in-cheek allegory to the destructive influences of the worst of the West, on all aspects of African culture. And also, 'Don't Fight' - a return to his Kuti roots, with its elongated, broody syncopated beat and sporadic rap.
The concert was complimented by an AOYS-commissioned V-Jay installation, created by North-East based innovative audiovisual artists 'iandiandi' and 'Name'.
Making his debut appearance at L'Afrique a Newcastle at the Sage Gateshead on 23 September 2005 and sharing the billing with Cameroon's Petit Pays, Les Sans Visas and the Mighty Zulu Nation, singer songwriter, poet and aural artist, Lokua Kanza, stole the show by way of his sheer versatility, confirming the diversity and beauty of the African voice.
His appearance at the Sage Gateshead is also a great excuse to review one of his most accomplished albums (see Recommended CDs). 'Toyebi Te' is Kanza's third solo album and capitalises on his reflective song writing and remarkable vocal range.
As you may well know, the Sage Gateshead (Newcastle) will be home to the 11th edition of Womex. From 26 - 30 October 2005, Norman Foster's spectacular landmark building will showcase the cream of World Music; including concerts, seminars, workshops and lots of activities reflecting this year's Womex focus - 'A Common Wealth of Music'. Womex and Off-Womex will showcase acts at various stages and venues across the city. Womex guests with an African flavour include Tiken Jah Fakoly, Thandiswa, Atongo Zimba, Dele Sosimi and Vusi Mahlasela.
Also - don't forget your tickets for Whitby Musicport 2005 World Festival (21-23rd October 2005). Three culture-packed days and nights of concerts, workshops, dance, drumming, poetry, storytelling, impromptu jam sessions, a fringe festival, world market place, food and friends.
The final line up includes Daby Toure, Imbongi feat. Albert Nyathi, Mthombeni, Simba Drum and Dance, Kwame D, Jali Sherrifo Konteh and some very exciting special guests. All this in the historic coastal town of Whitby, making Musicport one of my favourite events of the year. I'll be there - so do come and say hello!
Until next time,
Bisou x
Yve
Yve Ngoo's Recommended CDs
Tony Allen - Home Cooking
Lokua Kanza - Toyebi Te
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.