Benn loxo listener, Louise, recently returned from a vacation in Rwanda. In today’s guest post she’ll share some of the music she picked-up while there:

Any country that enjoys its Guinness warm and mixed with coke, knows how to give a mean pedicure and has a soft spot for Kenny Rodgers deserves a little Benn loxo loving. Hence, this requested guest post on a wondrous blog.

Rwanda seems to be a country that surprises visitors, particularly those who already know Africa. Conservative, dignified and bubbling over with endless spoken and unspoken tales of suffering, survival and healing, this ridiculously beautiful and densely populated little country seems to be more then a little independent in many aspects. I wonder how true this might be for the music, too.

Spend an evening swaying and hopping à la Rwandese to music that is similar and yet totally different to what is assumed to be “typically African” and you might want to know more. Reggae, Congo sounds and country music seem to be blended with an intricate local and historical folkloric tradition.

Apparently there exist unique musical traditions from all regions of Rwanda, among them, Intwatwa, Umushayayo, Imparamba, and Ikinimba (folklore). Plus consider the fact that UNESCO officially declared Rwandan national dance one of the world’s Unique Cultural Heritages.

Actually that’s very understandable. (It’s the swaying and hopping; it’s a genius combination)

The music posted was chosen by the guys at “Mickey Sound” in Nyamirambo who put together CDs upon request for some “typical Rwandan music”.

However, is there anyone out there who can really enlighten Benn Loxo on Rwanda contemporary sounds?

Masamba – Impagaza
Masamba – Agasaza
Sabizeze
Inganzo

A few posts ago I asked if any Benn loxo listeners had Ali Hassan Kuban’s Sukkar, Sukkar, Sukkar. Thanks to those of you responded and arranged for a trade. I appreciate the feedback, especially when it comes in the form of music.

Ali Hassan Kuban transforms Nubian traditional music into fun, African pop. His raspy voice, turned that way from a lung infection when he was still young, sounds great over horn sections and percussion that beats out Nubian rhythms in a fusion style.

The songs featured today are two of his earliest and most successful hits. They moved Kusan into the international world music scene and put “Nubia soul” on the map. I read a quote somewhere calling him the James Brown of East Africa. I thought this title had already been given to Ethiopia’s Alemayno Eshirtay, but I guess there’s room for more than one. Nubia’s a big place anyway, sprawling over large parts of modern-day Egypt and Sudan.

You can get both of today’s tracks on Shanachie’s 1980 release, From Nubia to Cairo. Rough Guide has also released a good compilation of Kuban’s work.

Ali Hassan Kuban – Mabruk
Ali Hassan Kuban – Sukkar, Sukkar, Sukkar

Guest post today from Benn loxo listener, Steve:

I must have listened to the South African group, TKZee, almost every weekend between 1999 and 2000 but never really thought about how great their music is. Almost everyone who has heard “Palafala”, their African club anthem from the start of the millennium, makes the mistake of thinking that TKZee is just another one-hit wonder. This is simply not the case: TKZee released five albums in the course of the groups’ lifetime. Among these is “Halloween”, the album that includes today’s tracks, “Bona Senzani” and “Dlala Mapantsula”.

The singing and infectious beat on “Bona Senzani” makes you want to get up, dance and really enjoy life. “Dlala Mapantsula” on the other hand is a tad more mellow, the kind of music you play when the party reaches its apogee and you need to keep the momentum going.

In late 1999, I got wind of rumors going around that TKZee would be headlining a concert in Harare where I had been sent to work on a client project. I kept an eye out for an announcement in the papers or on TV but it was not to be. By the time I left Zimbabwe in early 2000, the concert had yet to materialize.

I am still waiting and hoping to get a chance to see them perform.

Thanks for the music, Steve. Keep the guest contributions coming! You can check-out Steve’s web site on pre-1990s Kenyan music here.

TKZee – Bona Senzani
TKZee – Dlala Mapantsula

My new colleague, Muinaté, was more than a bit surprised when I told her that I was a big fan of Comorian music. Her face lit-up when I name-dropped Zainaba and a few others. “T’aimes la voix d’or! C’est incroyable.” I guess not everyone is into music from the island of Grande Comore. But they should be.

Thanks to Muinaté we’ll hear some more music from the relatively obscure “country” of Comoros. I surround country by quotes since it’s hard to call somewhere with multiple independence movements, partial French neocolonial control and a total lack of authority over its whole territory a country. I guess the Comoros are more a collection of islands with common cultural threads.. and beautiful music.

There’s something about the way Comorians sing that catches my ear. Listen to the vocal melody of the contemporary Comorian musician, Salim Ali Amir. It wavers, rises and falls like the style of more traditional Comorian singers such as Zainaba and Mohamed Hassan. There’s definitely a distinctly Comorian sound.. once again, a nice fusion of multiple Arabic and African influences.

Don’t Thursdays and the oud go great together?

And hey, sorry for the sporadic posts lately. When I’ve not been outside enjoying the hear I’ve been traveling all over the place. I finally got a few posts lined-up so check back this week and next for more music.

Salim Ali Amir
Mohamed Hassan – Mri Uwalao

Saturday morning, just got up. The skies are cloudy and it’s quiet outside. Tomorrow this city will be awash in car honks, fireworks and cheering as France face Italy in the World Cup Final. I’m feeling a little better today and there’s time for a little relaxing and a deep breath before the pint-infused, football madness of tomorrow.

When you want to relax, don’t you immediately think of Sudan? Ha.. Ok, maybe not. But today’s selection is appropriate for the mood and a nice way to ease into my day. After listening to the Taarab plus American Blues from Zanzibar yesterday I was in the mood for some more African meets Arabic.

We’ve heard a fair bit of Sudanese music on Benn loxo with posts on the lovely Rasha, Setona and of course Abdel Gadir Salim. Today we’ll hear another talented musician, Abdel Karim el Kabli.

Born in 1933, Abdel Karim el Kabli is one of the grandfathers of modern Sudanese music. His 1995 release, Limaza, brought his singing and oud (a type of lute) playing some international recognition. He also appears on the great Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan compilation. As far as I know he continues to live in Khartoum and still performs despite his advanced age.

el Kabli has been as much an academic influence in Sudan as an important musician. His lectures at local universities, published poems and music have helped to preserve and solidify Sudanese folklore and tradition. That said, he doesn’t shy away from the contemporary. His music contains hints of the modern, with elements borrowed from both the West and contemporary Arab-world pop.

Speaking of which, does anyone have a copy of his 1962 release, Sukkar Sukkar? It’s apparently his take on the Twist.

Have a good weekend.

Abdel Karim El Kabli – Kabbas

Back after a short delay. Home sick on a Friday.. though it’s kind of nice to have a night-off.

With the memories of rocking out last year to Konomo No.1 and Tiken Jah Fakoly, I took a last-minute road-trip last weekend to Brussels for this year’s Couleur Café music festival. Fun times with blue, an old Dakar friend and lots of music from the likes of Gilberto Gil, Seun Kuti, Lee Scratch Perry, George Clinton, Saian Supa Crew, Vive La Fete, Sergent Garcia and more. Not as much African music as last year, but still a good time. I love Brussels and few things are better than good music, hot sun and many Belgian choppes.

I was going to post some music from the festival, but the only African concert I managed to catch was Kuti’s. To be honest, he’s alright, but he’s just too much the same (yet not quite as good) as his father. He even looks the part. Fun dancing, but we’ll save the music for another day.

Instead, let’s hear something from a Taj Mahal project. The Grammy-winning, American bluesman has long had an interest in African music. He recorded with Toumani Diabaté on the great 1999 release, Kulanjan. He also released a great album a few years ago, Mkutano, on which he explores the music of Zanzibar or, more specifically, the sound of the Culture Musical Club.

Last month we listened to some taarab from Zanzibar so you might recognize the sound. Taarab is a really interesting style; it sounds part Arabic and part East African. It also blends well with American blues much like Malian music and other African styles around the continent.

The whole album is wonderful and goes great with the Paris heat wave of late. Seriously consider picking up this Tradition & Moderne release if you don’t already have it.

ps- doesn’t the singing on the second track remind you of La Voix D’Or, Zainaba, from the Comoros islands who we heard a while back? (Your tips are coming soon, Muinaté!)

Taj Mahal – Muhoga Wa Jang Ombe
Taj Mahal – Mpunga