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Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Bembeya Jazz (Guinée) |
Musiques d'Afrique Musiques de Guinée |
Bembeya Jazz was the most famous orchestra of Guinea. Founded
in 1961 by Aboubacar Demba Camara, Bembeya became a National Orchestra in 1966.
Blending Guinean mandingo musical traditions with Cuban and Congolese influences,
the outstanding voice of Demba Camara, and the guitar hero Sekou "Bembeya"
Diabaté were the ingredients that contributed to their fame. Bembeya toured
throughout Africa, and they visited Cuba as well as Russia in the 1960s and 1970s.
They were the first in Africa to make a musical Régard sur le passé about the
struggle of Almany Samory Touré against imminent colonial rule in Guinea. The tragic death of singer, composer and chef d'orchestre Camara on April 5, 1973 created a shock both to the African public and to the other band members. For three years, Bembeya didn't perform at all. Around 1976, Bembeya started to perform and record again, with singers Youssouf Bah, Mory Kouyaté and Sekouba Bambino Diabaté. During the second half of the 1980s, Bembeya was again very successful with songs like Telegramme and Wa Kele. Towards the end of the 1980s, things became more and more difficult for the band, and several band members started solo careers. Although the band was never dissolved, they performed only occasionally in Guinea. In 1998, they were invited in Guinea to perform again at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Samory Touré's death. Four years later, they performed on the Musiques Métisses Festival and recorded a first new album after nearly 14 years. Formed: 1961 in Beyla, East Guinea. Style: mandingue music. |
Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
The Syliphone Years | 2007 | Stern's STCD3029-30 | 2 CD compilation, new edition |
Classic Titles | 2006 | Cantos | Compilation |
The Syliphone Years | 2004 | Stern's STCD3021-22 | 2 CD compilation |
Bembeya | 2002 | Marabi Production 46802-2 | New recordings |
Hommage à Demba Camara | 2000 | Syllart 38222-2 | CD reissue |
Authenticité 73 - Parade africaine | 2000 | Syllart 38221-2 | CD reissue |
Défi & Continuité | 2000 | Syllart 38217-2 | CD reissue |
10 Ans de succès | 1999 | Syllart 38207-2 | CD reissue |
Regard sur le passé | 1999 | Syllart 38206-2 | CD reissue |
Wa Kele | 1989 | Sonodisc ESP 8460 | |
Sabu | 1987 | Sonodisc ESP 8442 | |
Yekeke | 1986 | Sonodisc ESP 8431 | |
Moussokoro | 1986 | Sonodisc ESP 8430 | |
Télégramme | 1985 | Sonodisc ESP 8418 | |
Spécial recueil-souvenir (Mémoire de Aboubacar Demba Camara) |
1977 | Syliphone SLP 65 | re-issue of SLP 44 with tracks Boiro & Doni Doni |
Regard sur le passé: Le premier grand concert musical guinéen |
1977 | Syliphone SLP 64 | re-issue of SLP 10 |
La Continuité | 1977 | Syliphone SLP 61 | |
Le défi | 1976 | Syliphone SLP 59 | |
Spécial recueil-souvenir (Mémoire de Aboubacar Demba Camara) |
1974 | Syliphone SLP 44 | with tracks Armée guinéen & N'wato M'barale |
Authenticité 73 - Parade africaine | 1973 | Syliphone SLP 39 | |
Regard sur le passé: Le premier grand concert musical guinéen |
1972 | Syliphone SLP 34 | re-issue of SLP 10 |
Live 10 ans de succès: Gala d'anniversaire en direct du Palais du Peuple |
1971 | Syliphone SLP 24 | |
Regard sur le passé: Le premier grand concert musical guinéen |
1969 | Syliphone SLP 10 | |
Sous la direction de Diaoune Hamidou | 1967 | Syliphone SLP 4 |
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