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Crowd is moved by Guinean ensemble
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Los Angeles Times, Crowd is moved by Guinean ensemble >>
Don't let the name mislead you. Bembeya Jazz is a band that, for all its entertaining attributes, has very little to do with jazz. But that's not necessarily a problem.
When it was initially organized more than 40 years ago, the Guinean ensemble concocted a gumbo blending traditional African elements, Afro Cuban rhythms, a brassy sound and stirring vocals, quickly becoming one of West Africa's most highly regarded units. By the early '80s, however, the spark had dimmed, and it was extinguished as the band's activity slackened in the '80s and '90s.
Amazingly, a 2002 revival — featuring some of the original members (most notably the spectacular guitarist Sekou "Diamond Fingers" Diabate) — was powered by the release of the highly praised CD "Bembeya," the group's first album in 14 years. Friday night at the California Plaza's Grand Performances, the 10-man band's electrifying West Coast debut brought crowds of ebullient dancers to the venue's waterside dance pads.
The Bembeya lineup consisted of two vocalists, three guitarists, two horn players, two drummers and a bassist, with Diabate's highflying lines on acoustic and steel guitar leading the way. The songs were musically fundamental but enlivened by catchy melodic hooks and occasional overlays of intriguing African rhythms.
Vocalists Salifou Kaba's and Mbemba Camara's dance steps recalled the lithe movements of James Brown and Chuck Berry. And their harmonizing echoed the smooth sounds of the Temptations and the Four Tops.
All of which made for a happy, audience-friendly familiarity. As with the Buena Vista Social Club, a good part of the Bembeya appeal rests upon its dedication to the pleasures of a more innocent musical past. 08/04/03 >> go there
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