Chino Odimba
January 2007 - African Soul Rebels and the Culture Music Club
African Soul Rebels tour
We start with the African Soul Rebels tour, and the rise to fame of Femi Kuti. Inheriting the musical reputation that his father Fela Kuti gained, could not have been an easy job for Femi Kuti, but over the years he has proved that he is a musical force to be reckoned within his own right. Producing songs that have gained the same political power as his father's, and shows that are breathtakingly energetic and impressive, Femi Kuti is established as one of Nigeria's biggest Afro-beat superstars.
For the 2007 African Soul Rebels tour, Femi Kuti heads the impressive line-up which also includes Akli D and Ba Cissoko. Running for the last two years, the African Soul Rebels formula is to bring together artists from different musical backgrounds to share and create something new. So for this year's tour, Algerian singer and songwriter Akli D brings his combination of Northern Berber rhythms fused with all sorts of other musical influences. Equally, Guinean Kora maestro Ba Cissoko is set to astound audiences with his contemporary Kora creations. African Soul Rebels is about what is happening now in African music, and it has chosen three of the finest to make its point.
The African Soul Rebels tour featuring Femi Kuti, Ba Cissoko and Akli D features 12 dates and also comes to Colston Hall in Bristol on Tuesday, 27 February. If you would like to win tickets to this gig look below for more info.
The Culture Music Club
The Culture Music Club of Zanzibar are the current representatives of taarab. The 'taarab' sound combines Arabic instruments, African percussion and Egyptian-style strings. But this is taarab the Swahili way!
First introduced in Zanzibar by the Sultan Seyyid Bargash bin Said, Taarab also relies heavily on Arabic instruments that again were previously unheard in East Africa. Since then, the growth of taarab has been based largely on the social aspects of 'clubs' of people coming together to sing and entertain. And in its heyday of the 1960s, it was the most popular music of Zanzibar - with clubs sometimes consisting of 30-40 members playing at all kinds of social events.
Now in 2007, with its influence and place in East African music lessened, the Culture Musical Club want to put taarab back into the mainstream. The 'club' has as many as 70 members - some who play as part of the band and some who just want to be part of their group. Although Culture Musical Club are still to gain a wide following in the World music scene, their past collaborations with international musicians such as Taj Mahal have kept their music alive. Bi Kidude , who received a Womex award in 2005 has been their greatest ally. The veteran singer in her mid-90s now, through her own amazingly youthful performances has been able to take the taarab style to a wider audience.
There are no confirmed dates yet for when we might see the Culture Musical Club in the UK, but they will be playing at the Sauti za Busara Festival in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The festival runs from the 9th - 14th February and features other well-known names such as Ellika and Solo and ex-Bristol based singer Netsayi .
Recommended gigs and competition
For those of you in the South-West and Midlands regions this is what I recommend you try and check out:
Thursday, 8 February 2007 mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham , B12 9QH Catch the delightful Nuru Kane for another spectacular performance. Nuru is of course also amongst the nominees ('Best newcomer') for this year's BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music and you can also vote for him in the Audience Award. Tickets are £8/£5.50 and available by calling the box office on 0121 440 3838 or online by logging on to the mac website .
Tuesday, 27 February 2007 Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5AR The African Soul Rebels tour comes to Bristol. One not to be missed – as three great examples of today's African music, Femi Kuti, Ba Cissoko and Akli D , take to the stage. You will not be disappointed!!! Tickets are £17 and available now from Colston Hall box office (0117 922 3686) or you can book online by logging on to the Colston Hall website .
Competition : I have two tickets for the gig including entry to the show's after-party to give away to one lucky Africa On Your Street visitor. All you have to do is answer this simple question:
What was the name of Fela Kuti's famous club in Lagos, Nigeria? Email us your answer, together with your name, contact number and address. Good luck and maybe see you there.
Tuesday, 6 March 2007 St Ives Jazz Club at the Western Hotel, Royal Square, St Ives Drums and percussion from Kakatsitsi and the Pan African Orchestra from Ghana, one of the UK's most rhythmic groups. For more info, call 01736 798061 or 796082 or log on to the St Ives Jazz Club website.
Please keep your comments coming . Send in photos and gigs you think we here at Africa On Your Street should know about - and remember to spread the word of music everywhere you go!
Bye for now,
Chino
Chino's recommended CD's
Femi Kuti – The Definitive Collection
Culture Musical Club – The Music of Zanzibar Volume 4
Femi Kuti, Akli D & Ba Cissoko – African Soul Rebels