AWESOME TAPES FROM NEUKÖLLN: NDIAGA MBAYE
Ndiaga Mbaye - Naniou Mougne (Senegal, 199?)
As a tribute to Awesome Tapes From Africa I offer up this little gem, found in a tape pile at a Turkish junk shop in my neighborhood of Neukoelln, Berlin. Ndiaga Mbaye seems to be a somewhat-revered Senegalese Griot (honorary uncle to Youssou N'Dour?) but there's not much internet-info available about him. It is obvious to me, regardless, that this tape is a winner. Is this griot-pop?-- Lots of drum machines and keyboards, but without sacrificing a human warmth and "traditional" feel. Lots of western funk/pop influences, lots of kora and devotional vibes as well. You will recognize the first track as the one I shamefully ripped off for the Numuw remix video. I like how in the third track what starts off as sounding like a MIDI Nollywood-soundtrack throwaway warms up with some kora before Mbaye commences to totally wail, affectingly, convincingly. Really hit the spot this past winter, but also rings out winsomely in a green, summer park.
link:
