Al compas del mundo - programa #78 - African music with Latin and Caribbean roots

We’ve been here before, but let me reiterate: People captured and held as slaves were brought from Africa to the Americas. Their music evolved to become popular amongst the larger population. Recordings spread the sounds worldwide and in parts of Africa from where the slaves had originated, musicians embraced these Latin rhythms and incorporated the styles, even the language in some cases, into a hybrid that was both African and Latin American. The music had travelled full circle. This week’s program features some of the most famous bands of the genre: Bembeya Jazz, Étoile de Dakar, Orchestra Baobab, Rochereau and Grand Kallé were all some of the biggest names in the business during the 1970’s through the 90’s. As any artistic statement should, current musical trends have tapped in to the changing world around them and adopted new techniques and characteristics. I find no fault in that though the merging of Congolese music, for example, with European and American pop styles inspires me less. I’ll stick with the energy of the grandfathers (and mothers). Rhumba, mambo, cha cha cha, salsa…the music is infectious and indelible whether performed in New York, Havana or Kinshasa. - Jim Haas

Run list for 'African music with Latin and Caribbean roots' - First broadcast 5-25-23

01 Orchestra Baobab - Autorail (Senegal)

02 Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis - Cigarettes allumettes (Guinea)

03 Tabu Ley Rochereau - Succès African (DR Congo)

04 Bembeya Jazz National - Sabor de Guajira (Guinea)

05 Orchestra Baobab - Sey (with Thione Seck) (Senegal)

06 Étoile de Dakar - Mane Khouma Khol Thi Yao (Senegal)

07 Africando - Ntoman (with Salif Keïta) (Senegal-USA)

08 Kékélé - Mace (DR Congo)

09 Grand Kallé - Merengue Fontaine (DR Congo)

10 Orchestre de la Paillote - Kankan-Yarabi (Guinea)

11 Orchestra Baobab - Mouhamadou Bamba (Senegal)

12 Les Ambassadeurs - Mali Denou (Mali)

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