Category: African Music
Delivery For General Obasanjo
The ultimate in walking it like you’ve been talking it Continue reading Delivery For General Obasanjo
Tony Allen: R.I.P
Every other drummer just moved up one notch in the rankings. Continue reading Tony Allen: R.I.P
Bhasobha (Be Careful)
Sometimes you simply just get the right record at the right time. Continue reading Bhasobha (Be Careful)
Campfireiwen
In which guitars twine, twist and snake, apparently. Continue reading Campfireiwen
Call Me Ishmael
Is it a girl Sean Connery? no Ishmael. Continue reading Call Me Ishmael
Songs In The Donkey Of Life
This reissue is as special as the post title pun is awful. That’s a lot of specialness. Continue reading Songs In The Donkey Of Life
Those Who Wish You Well
Some music is just life-affirming, isn’t it? Continue reading Those Who Wish You Well
Monday Jumbo Afrodisiac
I needed a strong beast at #777, something worthy and earthy – Fela Kuti & The Africa ’70 Afrodisiac; created like all … Continue reading Monday Jumbo Afrodisiac
The Answer Is, Stay
For various reasons this is by far my lowest time of the year and so I went to the Mighty … Continue reading The Answer Is, Stay
The Heat On The Breeze
Don’t read another word, just play this: That video is pretty much all you need, Tinariwen’s leader Ibrahim Ag Alhabib … Continue reading The Heat On The Breeze
1537 Vs. Scotland
This weekend was time for my annual pilgrimage to Cardiff to watch mighty red-clad warriors smashing 18 shades of enlightenment … Continue reading 1537 Vs. Scotland
All Zila, No Killer
Dudu Pukwana Zila ’86 – Here’s one I saved from my dad’s shed. No, really, my dad keeps Anglo-African jazz … Continue reading All Zila, No Killer
1537 vs. 2015
Welcome folks, welcome to the third annual 1537 awards. These awards are often eagerly anticipated by the artists, industry and … Continue reading 1537 vs. 2015
Exiles On Pain Street
Four sharply dressed young men armed with a bunch of great tunes, guitar, drums, bass and vocals and a hell … Continue reading Exiles On Pain Street
God Has Been Good To Bassekou
What a gorgeous way to start a rainy Sunday, a pot of proper coffee, the papers and Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni … Continue reading God Has Been Good To Bassekou
Very Bad Man Indeed
Zombie no go go, unless you tell am to go (Zombie) Zombie no go stop, unless you tell am to … Continue reading Very Bad Man Indeed
Statement Of Intent
Picture the scene gentle readers, picture the scene. Libya, circa ’96 or ’97 a group of young muslim musicians from the … Continue reading Statement Of Intent
Jazz Sand
I love South African jazz pianist / band leader Dollar Brand, he was a big favourite of my father’s and … Continue reading Jazz Sand
Tamikrest Live: Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds 18-10-13
So after fighting my way through fog so thick I could barely see the car in front of the 1537-mobile on the … Continue reading Tamikrest Live: Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds 18-10-13
Chatma
So here I am with my little 1537 formula and all my rules, breaking them again. This time to talk … Continue reading Chatma
Tinariwen: Aman Iman
Tinariwen are a very special band for me, I am the sort to keep my feelings locked up tight most of … Continue reading Tinariwen: Aman Iman
Dollar Brand: Black Lightning
Okay so no smart-ass titles for once, listening to this LP just now has made me fall in love with … Continue reading Dollar Brand: Black Lightning
Cutting Edge – Kinshasa Style
Mr Mawangu Mingiedi is an unassuming, slightly tubby, bald man from Kinshasa of, I’m guessing, around 65 years old, dressed … Continue reading Cutting Edge – Kinshasa Style
Lucky Fela
I’m lucky, I have always been exposed to lots of music from different cultures. Simplified, my parents were both blues … Continue reading Lucky Fela