In another concerted effort to get more Ivoirian music onto the site, here’s Benn loxo listener, Ian, with a guest post:

“After Cote d’Ivoire gained independence in 1960, Abidjan became the center of the francophone African music industry. Huge stars from all over the continent recorded there. Like many other French-speaking African countries, CI was mostly dominated by Afro-Cuban salsa, Ghanaian highlife and Congolese soukous; for the most part, local styles were overshadowed by the slick, studio-produced music of big-name artists.

Ernesto Djedje, from the Bete ethnic group of southwest CI, was originally a school teacher. He played guitar in his spare time, mostly copying American soul and Congolese rumba. Seeing the lack of a “native” Ivoirian pop style to rival those of neighboring countries such as Guinea and Ghana, he was inspired to modernize a traditional Bete rhythm called “ziglibithy.” He combined a traditional rhythm section with a modern arrangement of guitars, bass and horns to develop the unique sound that is considered to be CI’s first original pop style. It was a huge hit that dominated the airwaves and discos for much of the late ’70s.

Unfortunately, Djedje’s success was short-lived. He released only two records, then died in 1983 of a mysterious stomach ailment blamed, inevitably, on sorcery. Some lesser-known Bete artists continued to play ziglibithy with some success, but the style was overshadowed in the ’80s by zouglou and, especially, the reggae of megastar Alpha Blondy.”

Thanks for the great music, Ian. I really enjoyed this pick. You can buy these tunes on the 2001 release, Le roi du ziglibithy available at Stern’s.

Ernesto Djedje – Assouna
Ernesto Djedje – Zibote

As a tip of the hat to one of my favourite audioblogs, today’s post is called “Gospel Friday”. I won’t go so far as to steal the Boogie; that’s all yours, Lee.

Machanic Manyeruke (and that’s not ‘Mechanic’ despite what Google tells you) has been singin’ the bible in Zimbabwe for over 30 years. His simple, happy style is perfect for a Friday afternoon. Electric guitar with no effects, the occasional female backup or a splash of organ, and lots of get-your-way-to-heaven vocals.

Today’s track is off the 1992 Flyish Fish release by Machanic Manyeruke and The Puritans.

Machanic Manyeruke – Kana Vatsvene Vopinda (When The Saints Go Marching In)

When I was younger I played jazz trombone. This musical hobby was dropped quickly after I started college and moved into a series of horn-unfriendly apartments, but I still have a soft spot for the sound. I was happy, then, when Benn loxo listener Scott passed me a copy of Toumani Diabate and Roswell Rudd’s album, Malicool.

Malicool features Rudd on trombone, Diabate on kora plus others on balafon, ngoni, djembe and guitar. While the trombone meets Mali sound may not always click, there are some serious high points on the album and it makes for, at the very least, an interesting listen.

Malicool was released by Sunny Side records in 2003 and is available in most good music shops.

Toumani Diabate & Roswell Rudd – Rosmani

Last night I took some much-needed down-time and read a couple articles in the Lagos Glendora review. Lagos always strikes me as a simulatenously sad and incredible city, and this edition of the Glendora sums that feeling up pretty nicely. As much as I love the city’s energy, arts and contrasts, I can’t help but feel bad for the majority of its residents. Yes, Lagos is unlike any other city and yes, it’s a vibrant, interesting place to live. But most of its inhabitants live in squalor, and even those with a reasonable income live in constant fear of violent crime, police corruption and robbery.

I mention all this because I was listening to some early Afro-Cuban music from 1960s post-independence Congo today and had that same feeling. Although I’ve never been to the DRC, the word on the street is that you get a pretty similar feeling to the one I felt in Nigeria. The DRC is a vibrant place filled with intelligent people that’s going absolutely nowhere due to continued strife and bad government.

So then why are the guys singing this song so happy? Yes, their country just gained indpendence (the song is from 1961), but listen to the politicians they sing about: Kasavubu, Congo’s first president who is soon to be deposed by Mobutu; Adula, the short-lived prime minister who took over the job after the American-ordered assasination of their first prime minister; Mobutu, the army-leader who will soon either fire or kill everyone in political office and lead his country for 30 long, dictatorial years. Time for a rhumba!

Then again, if you’re a regular reader of this blog you’ll know my feelings on this one: West and Central Africans possess an amazing resiliance. In times of peace or war, wealth or famine, you’ll find someone, somewhere whipping out some great tune for whoever’s around and feels like dancing.

Today’s track comes off a great collection of 1960s music from Congo’s Ngoma label, Souvenir ya l’independence.

ps- we can all thank Dominique for passing me this track and more at the Couleur Cafe festival in Bruxelles, Belgium, earlier this summer.

Depiano – Gouvernement Ya Congo

While biking home today some Ivoirian music popped into my head. So many of you have been asking for it, so…

This track is a big shout-out to my good friend in Dakar, Ed. Ed is many things: a sweaty salsa breakdancer, Dakar party scene prime motivator, confidante, and the reason why I am where I am today. Thanks again, Ed.

If you’ve never been to Chez Diamy in Dakar, you’re missing out. It’s the place where Meiway was our soundtrack and chicken dibi and West African beer were our staples. Several “generations” of Dakar folks spent at least a night or two here, from Thomas the raging Norwegian to Elo the shady Guinean (and soon to be proud father? Say what, Elo?)

While upon hearing a Meiway song some may say, “what’s with the synth accordian, guy?” We say, “encore des Gazelles, waye!”

From Abidjan direct to your living room, here’s some music from the kings of the zoblazo sound.

Meiway – Miss Lolo (link now fixed)