In October 2013, BBC Radio 6 presenter Gemma Cairney journeyed to Mali to find out how the country’s diverse music scenes were evolving in light of the ban on music. Gemma stopped by the temporary Africa Express Headquarters, the Maison des Jeunes studio in Bamako and spoke to Pauli the PSM, Damon Albarn and many more.
Find out more about ‘Mali Music’ here, and stream parts 1 and 2 of the documentary below.
The young Songhoy Blues band from Timbuktu stole the show at the launch event for the new Africa Express CD, Maison des Jeunes
On December 9th, Africa Express celebrated the digital release of much anticipated album ‘Maison des Jeunes’ with a packed house and some incredible Malian musicians from the album (whose visas were received the day they flew to London…)
As you know the ticket price, which we kept as low as possible, went entirely into putting on the show and to getting the malian musicians over here for the show. It was the first time any of them had played in London, and the feedback has been incredible.
So as ever, thanks for the enthusiasm and support, and for coming to celebrate such a special occasion with us. If you have any photos, don’t forget to tag Africa Express on Facebook and you can always tweet feedback to @africaexpress.
We will be releasing physical CDs and Vinyl in February 2014, so watch this space for news on that.
Massive thanks again from all at AE
Featuring live music (and debut UK performances) from Mali’s finest new talent Shonghoy Blues and Kankou Kouyate, there’ll also be Damon Albarn and Brian Eno who will have a chat with everyone about making the record (in Bamako, in just one week).
We will also be screening the UK PREMIERE of the Africa Express train tour documentary – get there at 7 sharp for that.
In between there’ll be DJ sets from Ghostpoet, Dave Maclean (Django Django) and Olugbenga (Metronomy), no doubt with some surprises jumping on stage now & then.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there. Click here for tickets
We would like to thank Arts Council England for helping make this album possible
Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes
Our NEW ALBUM will be release on 9th December.
Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes, the album we recorded during our recent week-long trip to Mali. The album will be released digitally by Transgressive Records on 9th December 2013, with a physical release to follow in early 2014. We are, of course, beyond excited. PREORDER HERE: http://georiot.co/africaexpress
Watch the video for Songhoy Blues – Soubour here (you get to download this track when you preorder the album)
Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes was recorded in Bamako, Mali over 7 days in October. Africa Express musicians and producers set up a temporary studio in a city youth club and worked with a new wave of contemporary Malian musicians to complete the album in one week. The club, situated on the banks of the Niger river and known locally as Maison Des Jeunes, became the venue for a week of discovery, collaboration, music-making and live performances.
The resulting 11-track album captures the spontaneity and excitement of a unique week in a country famed for its musical heritage, yet which saw music briefly banned in much of the nation following last year’s coup and militant takeover in the north.
Highlights include Timbuktu indie band Songhoy Blues – formed in reaction to the jihadist occupation – teaming up with Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner for their first ever studio session on track ‘Soubour’; the extraordinary soulful voice of 21 year old singer (and niece of the renowned Bassekou) Kankou Kouyaté complimenting the music of her band Gambari; and British singer and producer Ghostpoet joined by the percussive beats of Bamako-based talking drum band Doucoura on the Damon Albarn and Two Inch Punch produced rap track ‘Season Change’.
The full list of musicians and singers featured are: Adama Koita, Bijou, Doucoura, Gambari , Kankou Kouyaté, Lobi Traoré Band, Moussa Traoré, Songhoy Blues, Talbi, Tiemoko Sogodogo and the Yacouba Sissoko Band – as well as Western producers and musicians André de Ridder, Brian Eno, Cid Rim, Damon Albarn, David Maclean (Django Django), Ghostpoet, Holy Other, Jeff Wootton, Lil Silva, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Olugbenga Adelekan (Metronomy), Pauli The PSM, Remi Kabaka, Sammy Jay, Seye and Two Inch Punch.
The album launch event on 9th December at Oval Space will feature debut UK performances by Songhoy Blues and Kankou Kouyaté, together with special guests and DJ sets from Ghostpoet, Olugbenga and David Maclean – plus the UK premiere of the film documenting Africa Express’ 2012 train tour.
Tumblr: http://lamaisondesjeunes.tumblr.com
Artists on making the Africa Express album:
“Making music in Mali with Africa Express was amazing, humbling, life changing experience, a time in my life I will never forget. I’m just so happy I went with my gut instinct and got involved. Being on the album is just an added bonus really.”-Ghostpoet
“For me, it’s been a huge surprise. It’s the first time I played with musicians who are not from Mali. It’s good to have foreign musicians coming to Mali because there are a lot of great artists here that need recognition for their work,” -Kankou Kouyaté
Africa Express would like to thank the Arts Council of England for help making this trip possible
Ahead of our Mali album launch, here’s a reminder of what we got up to in Bamako. The BBC joined us there and took some pictures:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24559550
Our recent Mali trip was covered by the Wall street Journal. Here’s what they had to say:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304402104579147993779995238
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