A hypnotic journey into some of the powerful and ancient traditions from the coast of East Africa.
Music inspired by the East African music festival Sauti Za Busara (”sounds of widsom” in swahili) which took place 9-13 February 2011 in Zanzibar.
African rhythms mingle with Arab violins in Zanzibari Taarab orchestras, with American blues guitarist Taj Mahal collaborating on one song. Tanzanian legend Hukwe Zawose plays the trance-inducing thumb piano. His Japanese student, Sakaki Mango, brings the tradition to a new place. Danyel Waro and Christine Salem revive the powerful and until recently banned Maloya tradition from Reunion island, their voices resonating with those of their slave ancestors.
Read more about the festival here- my article in Dossier Journal.
Some video clips of my favorite moments at the festival:
Sukiafrica Sukiyaki Allstars: collective of Japanese, Korean and African musicians- all talented and known in their own right.
Maulidi ya Homu ya Mtendeni, from Zanzibar. One of 3 such groups left in the world.
1. Sule – PATRIC BALISIDYA AND NYOTA
2. Mpewa Hapokonyaki – MAKAME FAKI
3. Mangé Pou Le Coeur – ALAIN PETERS
4. Sisi Vijana – HUKWE ZAWOSE & THE MASTER MUSICIANS OF TANZANIA
5. Odhiambo Otieno – OPONDO MUGOYE
6. To Gine Dolo – DANYEL WARO
7. Limbalimba Rock – SAKAKI MANGO & THE LIMBA TRAIN SOUND SYSTEM
8. Uluwidumuka – ASHIMBA
9. Maloya Zordi – CHRISTINE SALEM
10. Muhogo – MIRAJ JUMA & JAUHAR ORCHESTRA
11. M’banjo – TAJ MAHAL MEETS THE CULTURE MUSICAL CLUB OF ZANZIBAR
12. To the Seashore – SAKAKI MANGO & THE LIMBA TRAIN SOUND SYSTEM
13. Lukunzi – HUKWE ZAWOSE & THE MASTER MUSICIANS OF TANZANIA
14. Kansa – DANYEL WARO
15. Sanm Ou – DANYEL WARO