Nov 29/06
Clothes full of cash
Quick post today from the golden age of West African salsa. Guinean salsero, Amara Touré, was part of a group of pre-independence salsa pioneers in Guinea and Senegal. Touré along with others like Laba Sosseh and the Star Band de Dakar kickstarted a West African salsa musical movement that enjoyed widespread success until the 1980s.
There are still a few good salsa bars in Dakar and elsewhere around West Africa. I squeezed in a dirty whisky salsa night in Dakar a few weeks back, though there wasn’t as much dancing as times past. Regardless, that particular house band has improved a lot since I last saw them. In other words, they weren’t just performing Guantanamera on repeat all night.
I wonder what would happen in Paris if, after a particularly good saxophone solo, I went up to the musician and shoved a 5000 CFA note in his suit?
Amara Touré – Cuando Llegare
Star Band de Dakar – Caramelo
he would probably be very grateful maaate!
If you slipped one of those notes in his pocket he’d hand it back b/c they’re not legal tender anymore!
There’s a great salsa bar in Bamako called the Akwaba, in the Hippodrome neighborhood. Some of the old greats play there. Also, just up the street a cuban woman teaches salsa at La Terrasse.
Where did this Amar Toure come from and how can you find it? It’s super smooth. Also, check out the Africando DVD if you want to see how mbalax stlye dancing has modified classic salsa steps!!