We have been reading up on the migration of sound (forced and natural) between West-Africa and the Caribbean. In Senegal, a fascinating process of ‘Roots in Reverse’ took place. Cuban Rumba gripped the county from the 1950-’70’s and has left a lasting legacy in the popular music of the nation. As has been suggested, there a number of possible reasons for this- one being that Spanish was seen as an anti (or at least less) colonial language than French and English. Secondly, the music became synonymous with Dakar’s nightlife (the Senegalese metropolis) and therefore a sign of modernity. Lastly, sonically the music seemed close to Senegalese musicians who, as Amara Touré suggested, felt like it was their ‘own culture’.
Recently Teranga Beat and Analog Africa have released a number of great compilations from this era. Enjoy this mix of Dakar’s finest, including Orchestre Baoab, Ifan Bondi, Ouza et Le Teranaga International Band, Guelewars and Number One Du Senegal
MogaDisco © 2014