One thing leads to another.

Posted by: dave marshall on 03 August 2016

Hi,

It seems to be a given that those of us, of a certain age, were driven to discover where the, at the time, latest schoolboy listen, the Rolling Stones, got their inspiration from, hence the so called "blues explosion" in the UK, and my subsequent love of blues music.

Later, I became aware of Zeppelin's African influence, and have learned to love both original African artists and folks such as Justin Adams, who plays both in Planty's band, and in his African influenced band Juju.

So, what I'm after is recommendations from you music lovers out there, along the lines of "you've heard these guys, now try this".

Hoping for some new stuff ,

Dave.

 

Posted on: 03 August 2016 by Premmyboy

You've heard Caravan. Try Magic Bus.

Posted on: 03 August 2016 by Bruce Woodhouse

Give us some more touchstones from your current collection, either specific albums/artists or styles and I'll be happy to try to point you in new directions if I can.

Bruce

Posted on: 03 August 2016 by joerand

Paul Simon maintains a popular sound while creatively visiting a variety of cultural musical influences, especially with regard to percussion and harmonies. I think his listeners have come to expect the unexpected with each new album and are probably rarely disappointed. Never a lack of funk and groove or lyrical witticism. Try his latest "Stranger To Stranger" for something new.

As you've mentioned LZ's African influence, Plant's latest album "Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar" is a great one.

Posted on: 04 August 2016 by Bruce Woodhouse

My favourite African artist is probably Remmy Ongala. 'Songs For The Poor man' is just fantastic. The older RealWorld catalogue contains this and many other gems including Ayub Ogada and the hypnotic chimurenga music of Thomas Mapfumo.

Joe-Stranger to Stranger has failed to worm its way into my affections. Not sure why, but no magic for me. It does feel a bit more about the process than the outcome ie more about the sounds than the music perhaps? Never mind.

Bruc

Posted on: 04 August 2016 by Pev

African music is a rich and varied as say, American music, if not more so, and a real treasure house of different and exciting material. I think the way in is to just listen to lots of different people and after a while a sense of genre/country will emerge and you will start thinking in terms of Sokous, High Life, Mbqanga etc.

A few names to look for:

Senegal/Mali - Baba Maal, Amadou and Mariam, Salif Keita, Youssou Ndour, Ali Farka Toure

Zimbabwe - Bhundu Boys, 4 Brothers, Thomas Mapfumo

Nigeria - Fela, Femi or Seum Kuti, Tony Allen, King Sunny Ade

Zaire - Papa Wemba, Kanda Bongo Man, Staff Benda Bilili, 

South Africa: Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens, Savuka, Lucky Dube

 Various:  Khaled(Algeria); Anglique Kidjo (Benin), Aster Aweke (Ethiopia), Ifang Bondi (Gambia)

I could go on but these will give you a taste - there's whole world out there and much more rewarding (to me) than yet another rehash of some supergroup's juvenilia (sorry Floyd/Beatles lovers)

Posted on: 04 August 2016 by TOBYJUG

http://www.laweekly.com/music/...-weird-music-6865921

Posted on: 04 August 2016 by Bart
joerand posted:

Paul Simon maintains a popular sound while creatively visiting a variety of cultural musical influences, especially with regard to percussion and harmonies. I think his listeners have come to expect the unexpected with each new album and are probably rarely disappointed. Never a lack of funk and groove or lyrical witticism. Try his latest "Stranger To Stranger" for something new.

As you've mentioned LZ's African influence, Plant's latest album "Lullaby and the Ceaseless Roar" is a great one.

+1.  Lullaby really is a great album.