AFRICANDO
Viva Africando
Sterns 1120

www.sternsmusic.com
 

In late 1992, Senegalese producer Ibrahima Sylla (the man behind Syllart Records) arrived in New York City. He was accompanied by Boncana Maïga, a Malian flautist/arranger who had lived in Cuba for 12 years, and three noted West African salseros. This stellar team settled in at Variety Studios and assembled a roster of Fania All-Star veterans and other local luminaries. As the rumba and other Latin styles had originated with African slaves and were later taken up by musicians back on the Continent, the plan was to reseal the circle, source to source.

The resulting seven albums, having achieved massive critical praise and a loyal following, are now considered classics. Of course, some of the original participants have moved on or passed away, so new talent has periodically been added to the mix with no loss of authenticity or élan.

The latest outing is atypical in that this time, Sylla moved the party to Paris, his more usual base of operations. Old hands like legendary singers Medoune Diallo (Senegal), Sekouba Bambino (Guinee), and Roger “Shoubou” Eugène (Haiti) are back, along with flautist Eddy Zervigon, and pianist Oscar Hernandez (both from the USA). The newest additions, Rene Cabral (Cape Verde), Lokombe Nkalulu (Congo) and James Gadiaga (Senegal) each contribute highly individual yet idiomatic lead vocals. There is also a poignant posthumous turn from Raymond Fernandes, who was born in Senegal to Cape Verdean parents.

And the hits just keep coming; “Maria Mboka” is a blast of sunny, ’60s-era Congolese bliss, compete with Lingala–language vocals from Lokombe, backed by his equally beloved peers, Nyboma and Lutchiana, and Dizzy Mandjeku’s chiming guitar. “Es Para Ti Gnonnas (Pedro)” memorializes a much-missed longtime singer, “Noche con Santana,” a medley featuring Zervigon’s gracefully articulate flute, Charanga strings, and a relaxed, playful brass section, praises yet another seminal band, while “Yen Djiguengny” tosses props to the venerable Dakar Latin music scene. Crowning the session is the sassy and festive “Africa Es – Tribute To Africando,” wherein the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, led by Hernandez and featuring singer Ray De Pa Paz, toasts the band’s unprecedented and groundbreaking two-decades-long run.

— Christina Roden