SAHARA: A Music Post (Part ONE)
Click to viewListening to WORT, yesterday, I was reminded of a cab I got into, once. The driver was a black dude who said he got meat from some guy in Omaha. That was before Omaha Steaks was well known. He also said he would be taking a vacation in Mali. I told him that I really loved music from Mali. Now, how many times is something like that going to happen? But, Mali really does have great music. Both old and new.
Le Mali (Mon Pays D’abord)
Mali was once part of three great empires, and was the wealthiest country in Africa.
The majority of it's population lives in the Sudanian Savanna but, as you can see, the country also extends well into the Sahara desert, which was once verdant and host to earlier civilisations. Thus, there is a very rich blend of music in Mali, from the Caribbean-influenced deep African music to the south, on the coast, to the Arab-derived music and instruments from Morocco to Egypt. Of course, there has been a lot of fighting going on there in recent decades, which is an interesting story in itself. I have always loved African music, tribal and modern pop. Mali stands out as one of the most inventive and diversely rich musical powerhouses on the continent.
During the Cafe Saga, I checked out DVDs from the library of a local college. It had some very good stuff. Mainly Arab-based pop music. I ended up taking to some professor about this wide stream of wonderful music, emanating from the Sahara and Middle East. He was very into it, too. So, here is some of what I loved from those hauls. I tried to get most of the same versions of songs as those I possess, which do seem to be the best versions, and this is only partly due to my bias. This music is popular in Europe, and other parts of the world. I generally call it, "Arabic Funk." But it includes hip-hop, flamenco, jazz, and so on. It is highly disdained in more fundamentalist countries, such as Saudi Arabia.
First, we visit Ofra Haza, an Israeli singer, among other things. Sadly, she passed away in the year 2000.
FULL ALBUM - Yemeni Songs
FULL ALBUM - Queen In Exile
OFRA HAZA MIX
Cheb Mami or Adam Sandler?
Now, we meet Natacha Atlas, my all-time favourite: an Egyptian-Belgian[1][2][3] singer known for her fusion of Arabic and Western music, particularly hip-hop. [Also a belly-dancer, btw]. She once termed her music "cha'abi moderne" (modern popular music). Her music has been influenced by many styles including Maghrebain, hip hop, drum and bass and reggae. This version of "Mon amie la rose" was a big hit in France in 1999.
Another great song.
Another great song.
Not sure if I posted this one yet??
NATACHA ATLAS MIX
Gedida was her third album, and considered her best. I highly recommend it! Seriously!
There is still more to cover! So much good music! So, look forward to Part Two! Until then, here's Sting... And that Adam Sandler guy...