The Bus

As I'm listening to this Fela Kuti compilation, I realize that my experience with African music is severely limited. A friend lent me Babatunde Olatunji's Drums of Passion which I really liked, and two of my favorite albums from last year were African: Konono N°1's Congotronics and Amadou & Mariam's Dimanche a Bamako (although that's basically a Manu Chao record featuring the couple).

So, not counting African-themed albums by Western artists (Miles Davis, Graceland, Pieces of Africa), have you or do you listen to any African music? Do you have any recommendations? I assume Putumayo has at least 74 different compilations, but is there a specific artist you like?

Giantrobo

I like the Ethiopian Jazz artist Mulatu Astatke featured in the soundtrack to "Broken Flowers". I checked out some other Ethiopian Jazz compilation cd sample at Amazon and I was impressed. Apparently there was a rich Jazz music scene there before the obligitory African political changes screwed things up.

Giles

When I worked at a pre-school a few years back we had a great music tape of South African singer Miriam Makabe - I really enjoyed immensily.

I also own and highly recommend a band called the Soul Brothers and their album 'Soul of Soweto'

NORML54601

I borrowed National Geographic: Destination Africa from the library and really dug it. It's a good starting point to get into a variety of African sounds without buying a dozen CD's. There are several artists whom I'd like to get more from, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

whaaat

For modern stuff, check out Keziah Jones. His Black Orpheus album was one of my favourites from 2004, it's a great blend of soul, funk, acoustic and electronica.

Talkin2Phil

Baaba Maal
S.E. Rogie
Boubacar Traore

GuessWho

Does Dave Matthews count? He's African.

The Bus

Picked up some more CDs this weekend: the Konono N°1 live album, a couple of Amadou & Mariam albums, and a CD by Franco & TPOK Jazz. Franco is sort of like Sinatra and Elvis rolled into one when it comes to Congolese music.

There's a lot of good stuff at http://bennloxo.com/ but he's going to be branching out beyond African music soon.

project86

I like Toto.

The Bus

Just started listening to Esau Mwamwaya:

Live at LastFM
MySpace

Deadman31

I like the African Anteater Ritual.

The Antipodean

I love Youssou N'Dour and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, but have to admit I don't know too much about African tunes past those two

Jazzbutcher

Johnny Clegg (and his two bands Juluka and Savuka)

I love Juluka's Scaterlings of Africa (1982) and 1983's Work for All.

Putumayo also put out a nice comp his work under their label: Johnny Clegg & Juluka Collection

Fielding Mellish

Ghorwane is a group I like quite a bit. The Bundu Boys and the late, great Ali Farka Touré also come to mind.

redhenry

Amen to Johnny Clegg - and also Angelique Kidjo. She's awesome!

statcat

Freedom's Children

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Hokeyboy

Hyping me own peeps, but have you tried listening to some Cape Verde morna? Cesaria Evora is just amazing.

Hiro11

Mali's where it's at:
Toumani Diabate - adventurous kora player. He's made a bunch of great albums.
Ali Farka Toure - famous African/blues guitarist and singer.

and a South African ringer:
Blk Jks - their debut ("After Robots") was in my top five last year. Amazing, underappreciated album.

porieux

The Nigeria Special series is incredible

http://nigeriaspecial.info/