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The Immortal 1970's
The Immortal 70's
Featured Artists:
Zexie Manatsa & the Green Arrows
Formed in 1968 but really took off in 1972. The Green Arrows are known for their Manatsa Brothers. Zexie's low, raspy lead vocals define the group's sound, while his brother Stanley plays a stellar lead guitar. The group released albums well into the 80s and are considered one of the most legendary bands to come out of Zimbabwe.
The Hallelujah Chicken Run Band
The Hallelujah Chicken Run Band was the the first band led by famed musician and outspoken socio-political figure Thomas Mapfumo. Their music often features a driving rhythm section anchored by crisp, intricately-picked, multiple electric guitars often times in 6/8 time. This is coupled by melodies layered over harmonic vocals and Stax-style horn blasts. The music of the Hallelujah Chicken Run Band was a prototype for what eventually developed into the heralded Chimurenga music, developed by Thomas Mapfumo and used as a music of revolution in Zimbabwe.
Ebo Taylor
While not reaching the fame and recognition of some of his contemporaries, Ebo Taylor was a driving force and innovator for Afrobeat and highlife. Taylor cut his teeth playing in numerous highlife bands in Ghana during the 50's and 60s. Later Taylor became an arranger and producer, helping write and develope the sounds of famoust Ghanian artists such as C.K. Mann and Pat Thomas. During this time, Taylor was also able to release a number of solo records exploring some unique fusions and borrowing elements from traditional Ghanaian sounds, Fela's Afrobeat, jazz, soul and funk. A series of his records have recently been released via Strut.
Sorry Bamba
The state-sponsored bands of Mali and Guinea in the early years of independence are legendary. Bandleader Sorry Bamba of Mopti, a crossroads city at the confluence of the Niger and Bani Rivers north of Bamako, is an exceptional case within that story. Sorry Bamba became a major player in the new music of Mali, eventually leading the Regional Orchestra of Mopti (later renamed Bani Jazz). In the 70s. a heyday for West African electric roots music, Sorry Bamba’s groups were finding ways to fuse and update the rich traditions of the Mopti region with newer sounds.
Ernesto Djédjé
Ivorian Ernesto Djédjé pioneered a musical style called Ziglibithy based on a kind of Bété roots music combined with Congolese rhythms. Djedje's Ziglibithy is highly syncopated dance music, in which the sinuous guitar lines are punctuated with fat horns. Though he passed away at a young age, his innovative music still largely resonates.
Manfila Kante
Malian Manfila Kante first got started playing guitar in the famed Rail Band during the 1960s. The group featured Salif Keita and Mory Kante at the time. Later Keita and Kante played for the Les Ambassadeurs in the early '70s which led to a fruitful collaborative relationship. Both embarked on successful solo careers in the 80s and beyond.
Ali Farka Touré
For Touré, American blues was merely a New World reflection of Malian sounds he had known all his life. Touré championed the beautiful, old cultures of the northern region of Mali, around Timbuktu. Taking this approach, by the time he was 60 Touré had become one one of Mali's most famous guitarist. His son has followed in Toure's steps having recorded a number of albums and touring the world.
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