I started this site out with some old-school West African pop rock. We’re way overdue for some more.

The Super Eagles from The Gambia (yes, the “The” is officially part of the country’s name) aren’t really a rock band. They’re more accurately a pop, soul, afrocuban, rumba, highlife and rock group from the jubilant West African 60s. The song I’ll feature today, however, could be summed up like this:

“There’s an oddity called Love’s a real thing that attempts to blend Beatles and Cream guitar riffs and reminds me of garage bands I was in as a teenager.” (ref)

Perfect.

The second song is an obscure 11-minute bit off a 1976 Malian 45. (Anyone have the B-Side, “Wanri”?) It’s by Moussa Dombia and his sister? wife? Mimi, and I promise that this isn’t the same Moussa Dombia aka Tiken Jah Fakoly. I love the soul grunts in this tune; they remind me of an Ethiopian funk tune that I might have to post tomorrow. And what’s with the freak-out at the 8th minute? Anyone understand Bambara? Classic.

You can thank one of our readers, sufi, for kindly passing these tracks my way. Both can be found on a compilation called “World Psychedelic Classics Volume 3: Psychedelic Sounds from West Africa”. Who knows where you can buy that one, but The Super Eagles track can also be found on a compilation of their music on Retroafric called Senegambian Sensation.

Super Eagles – Love’s a Real Thing
Moussa Dombia – Keleya (Keleya is a small region in Mali)