N'Dardisc

Graeme Counsel informs me that he has finished the first draft of yet another discography. In this case of the N'Dardisc label.
When it comes to Senegalese music this is certainly one of my favourite labels, as you may have noticed from past posts (33-11, 33-12, 33-14, 45-18).

This seems a good occasion to add one more. "Folklore du Sénégal - Musique et chants traditionnels" (N'Dardisc 33-10, as you can check in the discography) is normally a title to put any prospective buyer off, - but this will prove to be a serious mistake with the N'Dardisc label.
Side A contains three classic tracks by Soundioulou Sissoko and his wife Mahawa Kouyaté. According to some (notably a presenter from the RTG from Guinea) they are the source of many songs which became hits with the Great Orchestras from the golden age of Guinean and Malian (Malinké) music. Although I have my doubts about this claim, I am sure they have had a substantial influence. On this lp Mahawa, accompanied by Soundioulou on cora, sings "Bandia" (interpreted by both Orchestre de la Pailotte and Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée) and "Sakhodougou" (Jardin/Balladins). Soundioulou adds his interpretation of "Alalake" (e.g. Bembeya), but personally I think he doesn't get close to the overpowering version of Lalo Keba Dramé on N'Dardisc 33-11.

This master of cora and copper vocals (see my earlier post) can be heard on side B, together with Samba Diabaré Samb. And what a deadly duo they are! "Bamba Bodian" is another version than the one on "Hommage A Lalo Keba Dramé", but again by the great master himself. And "Maky Tara" and "Saraba"..... well, I'll leave you to discover these marvels for yourselves. All I will say is that if you liked Samba Diabaré Samb's track on N'Dardisc 33-12, you will be blown away by these.....

N'Dardisc 33-10

Perspective

To me this was a key album in discovering the music of Senegal. It opened a completely new perspective. I was happy to see this perspective later confirmed by the wonderful CD's on the Dakar Sound label, - and especially the volume with the Sorano Singers (DKS 002).

This record, credited on the back of the sleeve to the Ensemble Instrumental de L'A.C.A.S. (Association Culturelle et Artistique du Senegal??), features some of the Greats of Senegalese traditional music. It starts with the vocal power of Amadou N'Diaye Samb, a man who seems to come from a time before microphones and amplification was invented.

He is followed by Lalo Keba Dramé, kora legend from the Casamance. With his forceful, coppery voice he sings the classic Manding song "Alalake" ("If God wills (it)"). If you think kora music is sheepish music for dreamy types, listen to Lalo Keba Dramé, - he will change your view for ever.

The song that finished me off, when it came to the change of perspective, was the opening track of side B by the legendary Samba Diabaré Samb. Both instrumentally and vocally this song touches emotional strings left untouched by the vast majority of western music.

I'm not going to discuss all the songs of this great lp individually. I leave you to discover the wonders offered here. But with a promise of more, in a future post.....

N'Dardisc 33-11