 |
|
Guinea  Contemporary Guinean music reflects its diverse origins. Carried by shippers from the Caribbean, and then on the airwaves through early recordings, Cuba's influence found its way into much of Guinea's modern music, blended gracefully with local elements. Most prominent is the sound of the Manding balafon, ancestral instrument of Guinea's griots (or jelis). The balafon occupies the place in Guinea that the kora (21-string Manding harp) does in Gambia, or the ngoni (spike lute) does in Mali. The instrument's prominence was magnified in the 1960s as guitar pioneers like Kante Manfila began playing balafon parts on the guitar, taking its melodies and interlocked rhythms into the electric realm, and onto the world stage. Many of Guinea's most successful contemporary musicians have also incorporated elements of funk, soul, Congolese rumba, salsa, and now reggae and rap, into their own traditionally-rooted music.
Following a centuries-long tradition of Manding music, electric music first blossomed in Guinea in the 1960s under the cultural policies of Sekou Toure. National, electric, dance bands were the most noteworthy result: Bembeya Jazz National, Balla et ses Balladins, Keletique et ses Tambourins, and Horoya Band. Meanwhile, Guinea's national ballet Les Ballets Africans was formed in an effort to synthesize a national identity from Guinea's predominantly Fulani, Malinké and Soussou ethnic groups. Although Guinea's proclaimed independence from France, and Toure's rise to power, in 1958 set a phenomenal precedent and galvanized Guinea's music scene, France's withdrawal placed a staggering economic burden on the former colony. While Guinea's music scene continued to grow throughout the 60s, the next several decades witnessed a disheartening decline in Guinea's musical productivity. With the appointment of Lansana Conte after Toure's death in 1984 and several questionable elections since, Guinea's political outlook looks bleak for the time being. Powerful musicians, however, including veterans like Manfila Kante, Djeli Moussa Diawara, and newcomers like Ba Cissoko and Ibro Diabaté, continue to brave economic hardship and remain successful and innovative, despite all. |
||
| Feature | Interview | Bands |
 |
 Eric Charry (on Bembeya Jazz)2003 |
|
| Regions and Countries | Audio Slideshows | Radio Programs |
 African Hip Hop: Senegal and Tanzania |
||
| Afropop Music Shop | News Flashes | Tours |
 |
African Diaspora Film Festival Begins in NYC |
|
| Community Discussions | Free Stuff | |
|
Win 2 Tix to see Refugee All Stars @ SOBs (NYC), Tues Oct. 24th WIN TIX to see Guinea's *Les Ballets Africains*, in Chicago, 3/6 or 3/7 Win a Pair of TIX to SOB'S Africa Fete 9/23 Win Tickets to the Kakande CD Release Party at SOBs in NYC, Feb 24th |
||
Copyright © 2001-2009 World Music Productions. All rights reserved.
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form without permission.