Text and photos,
except where otherwise credited, © African Musicians Profiles, 2001-2004.
Graphics created by Spitfire-Design. Backgrounds by coolnotions. PLEASE
DO NOT USE ANY TEXT OR PHOTOS WITHOUT CONTACTING AFRICAN MUSICIANS PROFILES
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Sean
Barlow and Banning Eyre Afropop! An Illustrated Guide to Contemporary
African Music Saraband 1995 Website www.afropop.org Extremely
attractively designed, informative and very colourful with a glossary
too! Stunning photos by Jack Vartoogian. Comprehensive information
on the musicians and their music presented by region (southern,
central & east, west and northern), then by specific country.
Has a list of suppliers of recorded music, music festivals, bibliography
and index. Buy
now! |
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The
Rough Guide to World Music: Africa and Middle East Rough
Guides 2006
The most excellent reference
book available on the subject, fully updated! New additions: Botswana
and Namibia. Descriptions of the music and musicians arranged in
alphabetical order by country including discographies, with playlists
as a new feature. Excellent photos. Written by authorities
including Graeme Ewens and Lucy Duran interspersed with detailed
sections on prominent musicians or genres, such as Baaba Maal, Fela
Kuti and High Life.
Buy
now! |
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Amadou
& Mariam with Idrissa Keita, translated by Ann Wright Away
from the Light of Day Route 2010
Originally published in French, the translation is great and this
is a highly readable autobiography. Amadou describes his family,
growing up and living with blindness, his career in music and
meeting Mariam. In a few places his story is punctuated with vivid
details of Malian traditions. Amadou also tells how he and Mariam
became the internationally popular duo that they now are.
The book also features an interview with both Mariam and Amadou.
Buy
now!
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Gary
Stewart rumba on the river A History of the Popular Music of
the Two Congos Verso 2000
An indepth history with
rare photos and details of the origins of this unique music. The
author researched the subject over 10 years and carried out extensive
interviews. The book is very well indexed so serves as an excellent
reference. Gives biographies of Franco, Tabu Ley, Papa Wemba, Pepe
Kalle, Kanda Bongo Man, Abeti Masikini, Mpongo Love, Mbilia Bel,
Faya Tess and others.
Buy
now! |
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Graeme
Ewens Congo Colossus: the Life and Legacy of Franco and OK Jazz
Buku Press 1994.
This is Graeme Ewens' second
book on Franco, the first having been published in 1986, three years
before Franco's death. A very readable account of the life of the
awesome composer/musician. Part 2 of the book provides
20 pages of lyrics (in English) of 10 songs, including Attention
na Sida (Beware of Aids), a discography over 30 pages dating
back to 1953, and a chronology. Anyone who enjoys Franco's music
should definitely read this to enhance their understanding of his
music.
Buy
now! |
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Manu
Dibango with Danielle Rouard Translated by Beth G Raps Three
Kilos of Coffee University of Chicago Press 1994 Manu Dibango's
autobiography with archive photos of his family, friends and other
musicians. Starting with his birth in 1933 in Cameroon, the
book details this great musician's experiences, and it has certainly
not been plain sailing, especially to begin with. Vital for understanding
the contribution Manu Dibango has made to the world of music, as
well as his outlook on life. Excellent for an insight into Manu
Dibango's achievements and all that has influenced him. An exciting
and absorbing read. Buy
now! |
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Frank
Tenaille Music is the Weapon of the Future - Fifty Years of
African Music Lawrence Hill Books 2002, with photos by Akwa
Betote. Originally in French. A most valuable and readable history
of African music given via the stories of people like Manu Dibango,
Miriam Makeba, Franco, Salif Keita, M'Pongo Love, Cesaria Evora.
Packed with fascinating details, a pleasure to read with its wonderful
photos and a useful glossary at the back. All in all definitely
a reference book to be treasured. Buy
now! |
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Celebrating
Sanctuary: Conversations with Refugee Artists in the UK.
Max Reinhardt interviews musicians, including Claude Deppa (South
Africa) and Koko Kanyinda (Congo), a chef and a medical practitioner.
Introduction and reflections by Yasmin Alibhai Brown and photos
by Julia Martin. Published by London Arts, order by phone 020 7608
6116. It makes very important statements for today's society and
will be a lasting memory of the Celebrating Sanctuary Festival
in London. The stories are split up on each page but
colour-coded by arrows so you can follow individual ones. |
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Songlines:
The World Music Magazine published 6 times a year in new A4 format.
Packed with features, info on the world music scene, competitions
and reviews of latest releases in categories Africa, Asia, Latin
America & Caribbean, Middle East, North America, Europe and
Fusion. Subscriptions
available. Web
site http://www.songlines.co.uk |
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FRoots:
the world's leading roots, folk and world music magazine contains
charts and lists, CD reviews, feature articles on music and musicans,
info on gigs, festivals and tours. Two issues per year have a free
cover-mounted CD. Subscriptions available. Web site http://www.frootsmag.com |
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The
Beat published every 2 months by
Bongo Productions. America's only magazine devoted to reggae, African
and Caribbean music. Subscriptions and back issues available. For
sale in Britain from Stern's and Borders. Regular columnist on the
Congolese scene is Martin Sinnock. CD and book reviews.
Email: [email protected] |
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