The Africa Express, a train that is travelling across the UK with 80 leading musicians from Africa, Europe and other parts of the world, is now in Bristol. Photos: Manuel Toledo, BBC Africa
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Mid-Morning on Sunday 2 September, I sauntered towards Euston in London with Jupiter Bokondji from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and about… 
“This is the best project I’ve ever been involved in in my whole career” - Baaba Maal ‘The Africa Express was one of… 
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The Africa Express
WHAT THE ARTISTS SAID ABOUT THE TRAIN TOUR
Roll over an Artist name for their quote.
John paul Jones “Every time an invitation comes to join Africa Express I know I’m in for a rich and rewarding musical experience, and the train was no exception! The vibe and camaraderie made for just the best breeding ground for some exciting and unexpected collaboration. Long may this wonderful organization flourish!”
Baaba Maal “This is the best project I’ve ever been involved in in my whole career”
Nicolas Jaar “I've been a fan of Baaba Maal since i first heard Firin' in Fouta in the 90s. When we got to the Africa Express compound, Dave, Will and I were pretty overwhelmed. I sat down and closed my eyes and asked the skies for some guidance - my bandmates looked on, confused at my sudden urge of spirituality. Suddenly, I felt a strong energy on my left. I open my eyes and start walking towards this feeling. I see a man lying on the rugs on the floor. I say hello and present myself. I ask him his name - it was Baaba Maal. We ended up playing "Sidiki" my favorite cut from "Firin' in fouta" that night with him and a few other musicians. Only at African Express - thanks for an unforgettable time.”
Carl Barat “The Africa Express was one of the most worthwhile and enjoyable projects I have ever been involved in. To meet and unite with people from such different ends of the musical spectrum was infinitely rewarding. The linguistic and cultural barriers were effortlessly surpassed through music, openness and sheer good will. Normally ‘jamming’ would be seen amongst my peers as an indulgence, here it was merely a doorway to something great where spontaneous music became bigger than the sum of it’s parts. A true reminder of why I started playing music in the first place free from expectation and conditioning. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Amadou Bagayoko (Amadou & Mariam) “I was a pleasure for me to live through this train experience. Never has a train been so musical. I loved the sense of togetherness and complicity between the artists, and I also really appreciated the ‘pop ups’ when I had the opportunity to play in hospitals and schools. Africa Express is magical every time. Thanks to everyone.”
Afel Bocoum “That indefatigable train with more than 80 happy, talented and smiling musicians on board will remain engraved on my memory: the countryside in northern England, those animals in the fields, those Congolese jams in every train station, those shows in all kinds of neutral spaces, those rehearsals on the train, those concerts in front of beautiful audiences and some huge meals…all that thanks to a team of organizers who were attentive, courageous, friendly and above all…volunteers! I dare confirm that this whole experience taught me a lot and will remain for me the biggest musical adventure of my life, and I say that sincerely from the heart.”
Jupiter Bokondji (Jupiter & Okwess International) “Me, Jupiter, and my group, Otwess International would like to thank the organizers of Africa Express for inviting us along. It allowed us to get to know music from elsewhere and above all to share the diversity of international culture with famous artists like Damon Albarn, Amadou and Baaba Maal. We’ll got back to the Congo with our minds strengthened and rich in material. Thanks again and good luck for the future…”
Spoek Mathambo “Definitely was a shock coming down from the high that was Africa Express. Huuuge thanks for including me in the lovely experience…really and truly the best tour I’ve ever been part of. Thanks and regards to the whole team for making it so awesome!”
Baloji “I was blowed away…you made HISTORY. I’m just proud to have witnessed this moment, so proud to have met those fantastic artists. The strength of AE is the management / entourage / friends who force all to be more open and more concerned about other people’s music and life.”
Thandiswa “Africa express is an experience like no other. Being one of over 80 musicians from all over the world let loose to be themselves and create music on a travelling train was the stuff of fantasies for me. Primarily because I understand that, for us to truly create something NEW and even revolutionary,we must collaborate. I am always excited by the idea of doing something new and so was devastated when a bought of bronchitis damaged my vocal chords during the tour. None the less I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my experience on the Africa Express.”
Kyla la Grange “Thank you so much for inviting me! Honestly one of the best experiences of my life.”
The Temper Trap “Being a part of this fantastic adventure has been eye opening for us as musicians and as people, from busking in the streets of Stoke, playing with Amadou in a Bradford hospital or just the sheer energy on the stage at the London show as we all piled on for one final song together. Thanks to everyone who made it happen and for letting us be a part of such a wonderful endeavour.”
Mim Suleiman “Buzzing with tour still!!! The best train ride I’ve had my peeps. Much music was played. Hours and hours and hours and hours of laughter…TOO MUCH COMEDY ON THE TRAIN. The biggy of all is the talented awesome human beings of Africa Express. It has to be the greatest team I have been involved in. The train tour never lacked passion and generosity throughout. The best way I could describe the experience is like…you had to be there!!!”
Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club) “For me, and I think many other of the Western musicians, this was unfamiliar. We spent weeks rehearsing for our tours, and indeed would always have at least one practice on the train before each show. Once on stage, the African musicians would take what we rehearsed, grab hold of it and hurl it into places we never imagined. I found it exhilarating. As we said “goodbye” with exchanges of email addresses and promises of future projects, I felt inspired like never before. An unlocking had occurred. To be watching was a privilege, let alone to be involved. I am forever thankful.”
Karim ‘Rush’ Adel (Arabian Knightz) “i just made it back to Cairo last night and i have to say i’m suffering africa express withdrawal symptoms now…i want to wake up and hop on the train and jam everyday….thats where our homes should be. i cant even begin to figure out how to thank you for the great oppertunity and the great chance to be on such a great event with such great legends wether its the musicians or you and the guys who made that epic a reality..
i really hope from the bottom of my heart this happens again….and i reallly hope to see u and everyone else soon.”Terri Walker “Words are only going to sell what I have to say next short ,but if I had to choose a few to describe the Africa Express experience I would use some of these and that’s still not enough!: Amazing, euphoric, inspirational, elevating, peaceful, hopeful, beautiful and fucking Epic!!!! I’d say Live 8 is a parody compared to what Damon and the Africa Express team have achieved with sheer determination and genuine love for the culture of Africa. Proud to have been a part of it! Xx”
Seye (The Very Best) “The time on the train was amazing, it was like being part of the best international musical circus – and my good god did people get a heck of a show with Cirque de Damon. I felt honoured and lucky to even be on there and on top of that to play with such amazing musicians with NO EGO? I was like a kid in a musical candy store. It was amazing, i miss the train, normal trains are just never gunna do it for me now.”
Mehdi Haddab “It was just magical!!”
Johan Hugo (The Very Best) “The Africa Express train was one of the most amazing experiences ever for me. The people, the music, the train, the shows, the family that we became for a week. I tried not to come on to the train with too much expectations, but not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how totally mind blowingly cool it would be! It will be a week that i look back on for the rest of my life, that’s for sure.”
Harry Yeff aka Reeps One “Inspiring, tiring and wonderfully challenging, I played in the early hours the day I was due to board the expess from Euston so little sleep just added to the dream like nature of turning up and being surrounded by hand selected, talented musicians. Ill be honest I think that feeling was the closest anyone will ever get to leaving for Hogwarts. The Cardiff hotel had a huge entrance hall with a bar and I remember walking in after the show and it looking like a Greek philosophers amphitheater. All sorts of talented individuals with arms round each other bonding, sharing and challenging each other’s ideas. I said that on that night we were the most varied and resourceful band in the world. It was not about individuals anymore. My instrument being so different and having so many musical places within a sound meant the whole trip I could weave in and out of different jams and vibes and it was amazing to focus on individual sounds as opposed to creating a whole soundscape like I’m used too. I even picked up some new African percussion sounds like the talking drum. It was definitely the most musically healthy week of my life.”
@AfricaExpress
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