Dec 25/06
James Brown in Africa
James Brown died today. He was 73.
Benn loxo listener, Henri, sent me this Sekouba Diabaté track to post as a tribute. I’ll also post a track by “Ethiopia’s James Brown”, Alemayehu Eshete, to show how far his influence spread.
I can’t say anything positive about James Brown the person, but his music and style influenced multiple generations and forever shaped soul and funk. RIP.
Sekouba “Bambino” Diabaté - It’s a Man’s, Man’s World
Alemayehu Eshete - Hirut Beqele
December 25th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
Thanks, Matt for your tribute to the great music of James Brown - and also for your kind silence about the person (I know what you mean…)
Cheers, Lucky
December 25th, 2006 at 11:13 pm
I recently discovered your blog, Matt. Thanks for introducing me to lots of wonderful African music. In fact, it’s lead me to hunt for more World music in general. (You might like calabashmusic.com. They even feature free downloads. )
Anyway, thanks for mentioning the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. It’s nice that Henri provided the Sekouba Diabaté track. I’ve never heard of this artist or his version of It’s a Man’s Man’s World. Nor have I ever heard of the Ethiopian James Brown. I’m learning a lot here!
I’m a little familiar with some African artists, e.g. Hugh Maskela, Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti. However, I’m new to the various genres. For example, when I hear Afrobeat, I think the American soul/funk sound of the 70s. Is it safe to say that Afrobeat was influenced, in part, by James Brown’s sound?
December 25th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
deb,
Fela Kuti frequently mentioned James Brown as a major influence on his music.
As far as I know this started back in 1969 when James Brown was ripping up the charts with tracks like “The Popcorn” and “Give It Up or Turn it Loose”. Fela was in Los Angeles recording music at the time and fell in love with the James Brown sound.
Matt
December 26th, 2006 at 2:39 am
Long Live James Brown, The person… The music.
Can do without thy judgementality.
Tanks for the tunes.
December 26th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
James Brown was a great person. That great person made great music. He was also human and we don’t have to like everything he did. He opened many doors for lots of people. I dig your bolg, thank you. But, please please please, don’t dis on James Brown.
December 27th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for the music, Matt. I feel compelled to comment on this post, though. For many people, the musical and political legacy of James Brown will be vastly more important than what he was like and what he may have done as a man. As my husband, who unlike you and I is black, was quick to point out, Brown’s “say it loud, I’m black and proud” played a major role in the shaping of his identity, and that of many of his peers, when growing up during the 1970’s in Zambia, still very much plagued by a post-colonial hangover - a sentiment voiced also by many African-Americans interviewed after his death.
Veronika
December 27th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
Matt,
Check in the Africambiance Forum
some Album of James Brown
http://africambiance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2803
Fabian
December 31st, 2006 at 2:49 pm
I totally agree with you Matt, great music…
January 8th, 2007 at 3:43 am
…my husband, who unlike you and I is black…
Nuff Said - Rest in peace James. Let the pretenders pretend…
January 13th, 2007 at 11:33 am
siktir git lenn cames borown mısın nesin
January 16th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
[...] The DVD is fascinating to watch, especially for the bewildered looks on the visiting musicians’ faces and the fine dancing of Tina and the Ikettes. The real gem of the film is Wilson Pickett’s performances. Apparently he was known as “Soul Brother #2″ down in Ghana in those days (obviously one step behind James Brown), and enjoyed enormous popularity. While the Ghanaian crowd looked stunned during Santana’s guitar solos and the avant-garde sounds of Les McCann, they brought down the house when Pickett took the stage. [...]
February 25th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Great music.James Brown is the best.
November 20th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
[...] his record shop back in Addis is still top for classic golden era Ethiopia rock and soul. We love that kind of thing here, you [...]