In Afro-Latino two worlds collide to create powerful rhythms that move your feet and lift your soul. One of the most important and seminal bands of Afro~Latino music was Grand Kalle's African Jazz. Kalle's band brought forth vocalists Tabu Ley Rochereau (who later left with guitarist Dr Nico, the "God of the guitar," to form African Fiesta), later joined by a living legend of African music, vocalist Sam Mangwana. A main figure in this pantheon includes the "sorcerer of the guitar" Franco, who included Congolese folk rhythms and the already 'Cubanesque' Mutuashi rhythm to further enrich the stew. It was with African independence that things began to change and more emphasis was put on traditional sounds and traditional griot instruments like the kora, balafon and tama, the small 'talking drum.' Early Etoiles de Dakar featured vocalists Youssou N'Dour and Hadj Faye, with talking drums 'answering' the congas and timbales of Cuba. The new modern sound of African music is, for the most part, traditional music done with the techniques and electricity of the present, often with a touch of Cuban musical influence. This CD presents modern Cuban/Cubanized tracks from Angola, Congo, Senegal, Cape Verde, Peru and Cuba. Featuring: 4 Etoiles, Africando, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Sam Mangwana and more!
