"When the West African nation of Guinea achieved independence in 1958, the new government hastened to encourage local art forms. Within a few years, each region had its own orchestra and Bembeya Jazz (named for a river flowing through their South-Western home province) was considered the best of all. Fronted by Aboubacar Demba Camara¹s visceral yet sensitively phrased vocals, the sinuous, glistening guitar of Sékou "Diamond Fingers" Diabaté and a full-blooded brass section, the band became a national institution and the first Guinean ensemble to perform outside Africa. These 26 tracks were originally released as 45 RPM singles and on LPs from the Syliphon label and if the sound quality varies, the music has held up remarkably well. Bembeya's nonpareil synthesis of slow-simmering Latin rhythms with otherworldly Islamic traditions constitutes a priceless legacy that simply must be heard. Fans of 1960s Congolese music and Senegal's Orchestre Baobab will adore them. --Christina Roden" (Amazon)
"In the aftermath of the Guinean Independence in 1958 and the encouragement of cultural pride, numerous bands sprang up throughout the African country. The most popular was Bembeya Jazz National, formed by vocalist Aboubacar Dembar Camara in 1961. Specializing in modern arrangements of Manding classic tunes, Bembeya Jazz National won the first two national Biennale festivals in 1962 and 1964 and was crowned National Orchestra in 1966. Initially a seven-piece group, featuring a Latin-flavored horn section of saxophone, trumpet, and clarinet, Bembeya Jazz National reached its apex with the addition of electric guitarist Sekou "Diamond Fingers" Diabate and lead singer Sekouba Mabino Diabate. Bembeya Jazz National continued to build a cult-like following in its home country. Bembeya Jazz National's most ambitious album, Regard Sur Le Passe, released in 1968, was a musical tribute to the memory of Samory Toure, who founded the Mande kingdom in 1870." (Allmusic)
"Orkest rond gitarist Sekou Diabate. In 1987 ging het uiteen, 15 jaar later terug! Een feest van polyritmische figuren met krankzinnige complexiteit, die veel verder gaat dan wat een dansgenre als salsa te bieden heeft." (FvH, VK)
2 LP's, uit 1978 en 1982, op 1 CD. 'Defi' was de terugkeer na de dood van oprichter Camara in '73. Leadgitarist Sekou Diabate is nu leider. De Manding-swing is minder complex dan andere West-Afrikaanse muziek - melancholieker, gedetailleerder.
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