|
|
 |
Bembeya Jazz
|
| Click Here to go back. |
Washington Post, Bembeya Jazz >>
Poor Bembeya Jazz. This recently reunited group from Guinea has long been hailed as one of Africa's greatest dance bands. Thus, its D.C. : appearance should have been as
triumphant as the recent appearance by fellow comeback vets Orchestra Baobab. Unfortunately, lack of publicity for the event and sound system delays at Kill's Kate meant that the eight-piece group played before only about 60 people late on Saturday night (actually, 2:30 Sunday morning). Those individuals were rewarded for their patience though with a fine show that lived up to the hype.
Led by original guitarist Sekou "Diamond Fingers" Diabate, Bembeya Jazz merged homegrown Manding region arrangements in which chordal patterns repeat cyclically, with Congolese and Cuban accents. Despite having a smaller membership than in its:
'60s and '70s prime, the current version had a remarkably full SOWld. On"A Koukou We" M'bemba Camara's vocals ecstatically soared atop swirling, high-pitched polyrhythms, courtesy of two guitars, bass, conga and drums. Intenmttently through that cut and others, the two-piece horn section sweetened the SOWld even further.
While the group SOWlded strongest on such upbeat cuts, the musicians showed their range of talent by also playing the melancholy "Doni Doni" with its dulcet soprano sax solo responded to by guitarist Diabate. The focus of the group, he could teach Eric.
Clapton a thing or two. Whether propelling "Sabou" with skittering lines, or coaxing out a spectrum of soWlds on showcases from his new "Guitar Fo" CD, Diabate beautifully served the songs with very little self-indulgence. 07/05/04
|
| Click Here to go back. |
|
 |
|
|
|
