Dieuf-Dieul de Thies (Unreleased senegalese sounds from early 80s)

(TRLP017).

An obscure 80s band from Thies in Senegal have just been brought back to life by label Teranga Beat. Dieuf-Dieul played from 1979 to 1982, but it appears their music never have chance to be released on a proper vinyl nor tape album until today. That's why i found interesting to present this record on Muzzicaltrips and to discuss with Teranga Beat Label founder, about these recordings and amazing piece of senegalese musical heritage.

Dieuf-Dieul was run by Pape "Abdou Aziz" Seck, ex member of Guelewar from Gambia,  not to be mismatched with  70s figure Pape "Serigne" Seck (from Star Jazz de Saint Louis, Star Band de Dakar, Number One du Senegal). To have an idea of  his carreer, Pape Seck played guitar in following bands:

Dane Belany - Motivations (Spiritual Afrofreejazz, 1975)

(Sahara 1005).

Here's a unique musical project auto produced by Dane Belany and release in New York by Sahara label. Influences are clear: dedicated to Frantz Fanon, and lyrics from several songs inspired by Aimée Cesaire or David Diop (senegalese pan-africanist poet from the 50s).

Le Sahel Revival in Dakar!!! (Ephemeral 70's band from Senegal)

This is a very special post as something big is happening in Dakar right now... The mythic band Le Sahel will play live again next this week.

Le Sahel, named from the club they were playing during the mid 70s, was composed by master musicians and mixed latin rhythms and sabar, giving birth to a unique senegalese style.

African Soul Band - Nande (Obscure afrogroove from France, 70s)

(MD 001).

Rare private production realised in France. It cannot be considered as african music while listening to the  "occidental-sounding" arrangements including violins... but the singer may be from Senegal (he's singing a melody probably inspired by "lale kouma", a senegalese traditional song). Anyway, a really nice funky fusion tune by African Soul Band, which is the same band playing with malian singer  Niama Makalou on another obscure afrodisco 7 inch (here).

Randy Weston live @ Saint Louis Jazz, Senegal (2007)

A meaningful experience to listen to Randy Weston in Africa...
Being one of the most "african" among the US jazzmen (from Tanger jazz club in the late 60s to Nigeria's FESTAC in 1977) this was his second performance at Saint Louis Jazz Festival (Senegal). His African Rhythms Trio is composed by Alex Blake (bass) and Neil Clarke (drums) both perfect sidemen of this innovative and explorative genius. "African Cookbook" (first track played on the veideo). An this concert ended with Ablaye Cissoko (Kora player from Saint Louis) joining the trio, as a direct (and natural) link to african musical heritage.

Soleya Mama & le Waatoo Sita - vol. 1 (Senegal, 1976)

(SAF 50028).

Waatoo Sita means "it is time" in Mandingo...

Unidentified "jungle sax jam" recordings from Casamance (Senegal, 2000s)

Spending entire afternoons listening to music in small music shops, you can sometime fall into crazy sounds that even the guy from the shop is not able to name. This track comes from one of these CDs...

Laba Sosseh y su Conjunto - Seyni (Afrolatin from Senegal, 1969)

(N'DARDISC 45-15).

Laba Sosseh (1943-2007) had a 40 years long african salsero carreer, singing pachanga, bolero, guajira, son cubano... He's originally from Gambia, and played during the 60s at Club Miami (Dakar, with Star Band & Ibra Kasse), at Club Sangomar (Thies, with engineer Moussa Diallo). He founded with nigerian sax player Dexter Johnson the Super Star Orchestra de Dakar and recorded for N'Dardisc (Label from Louis Fourment, Radio Africaine director).

Danson & Charanga Night, Dakar

Great party flyer, with DJs from the 60s-70s period in Dakar... latin records all night long! Probably the best place to perceive how much music from the other side of the atlantic ocean was (omni)present in urban Senegal.  At this time, big part of DJs selections was cuban music arrived from the 50s through sailors. (It remains easier to dig latin records than african records in Dakar now). Dakar danced deacades to this latin (and caribbean) rhythms, which influenced deeply local musicians and productions. 

Big up to Duo Los Compadres...

Starlite Band at FESMAN Festival Mondial des Arts Negres (Dakar, 1966)

(Philips).

This LP presents the musical contributions from different african countries to celebrate the 1st FESMAN (Negro Arts Festival) hold in Dakar in 1966. This Festival, impulsed by Leopold Sedar Senghor after the independances, was the 1st major cultural event including all art disciplines (music, litterature, theater, paintings...) from Africa, and countries from african diaspora (check the great track B1 from Ghanaian band Star Lite, tittled Baba Yara, from the name of the 60s football star).

A second edition took place in Nigeria in 1977 (FESTAC) and a 3rd historical (although controversial) edition is hold in Senegal again from 10th to 31rd december 2010 (http://blackworldfestival.com/), including artist from all over Africa, Brasil, USA, the Caribbeean, Latin America.

Number One du Senegal - Lii Numuy Nuru (Senegal, 1980)

"Objectif 2000" corresponds to a session providing 2 albums, both excellent. Recording took place at Club Sahel in Dakar, assured by Papa Sene and Yakhya Fall. This may be one of the most accomplished recordings in Senegalese discography, Number One and his master musicians being at the top of their art.