Various - Africa Plays On
by Daniel Cressey
published: 18 / 7 / 2006
Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Mixed, but impressively versatile new compilation of African world music
Perhaps uniquely among continents, Africa’s culture is often perceived in the west as a single entity. While attempting to lump France and Spain or Brazil and Argentina under the same banner would be fraught with obvious problems the massive variety of Africa – apparently home to 1,000 + languages – can still be enlightening. The sheer variety present here is stunning. Much of the African music that makes it to Britain comes as worthy, historical, cultural exchange pieces that are probably about as representative of the state of their states as Morris dancers are of inner city London. Western cultural influences have of course penetrated – the only country that hasn’t produced tedious, derivative rap acts yet is Tibet. But fused to more traditional elements a new spin is given and the songs from Daara J, Osibisa and Ba Sissoko alone justify the existence of this compilation. Other tracks are wider of the mark. In a 21st century version of Paul Simon’s 'Graceland' a number of US middleweights have grafted themselves onto Africa’s leading lights. So the listening to 'Africa Plays On' means you do have to endure the muzak contributions of the preposterously monikered John Legend. Then there is the sheer how-on-earth-did-he-get-a-record-deal? confusion always engendered by hearing soul-rap gimp Akon. Perhaps the most telling track here is Wasis Diop’s ‘Deffal Lu Wor’ – a joyous, unapologetic appropriation of the Talking Heads’ ‘Once in a Lifetime’. On this track at least, the boot is on the other foot. In ten years the tracks here may have their own genres, “African music” isn’t going to cut it for much longer.
Track Listing:-
1 Richard Bona- Please Don't Stop2 Cheikh Lô- Kelle Magni
3 Amadou & Mariam-Coulibaly (Akon Remix)
4 Alpha Blondy- Cocody Rock (2005 Remix)
5 Wahala Project- Wahala (12" Mix)
6 Daara J- Number One
7 Baaba Maal- Kettode
8 Wasis Diop- Defaal Lu Wor
9 Ba Sissoko- Silani
10 Osibisa- Watsui
11 Tic Tac- Yaa Densoa
12 Onda- Ngando
13 Waldemar Bastos- Pitanga Madurinha II
14 King Mensah- Amen
15 Roy Ayers & Fela Kuti- 2000 Blacks Got To Be Free (Louie Vega EOL Mix)
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart