Music And Arts Scene
African Records Review
By Kwabena Asamoah
EYANGO NDEDI: Service Libre (DR 885)
'Na Mala Taka' 'O Hassakame'/'Service Libre' 'Ongele Mba...Mayi' 'Mbamba Miango'
Known as the 'prince of mountains' in musical circles, Eyango Ndedi comes from the new team of Cameroonian musicians alongside Moni Bile, Aladji Toure, Peter Yamson and others who are determined to attract attention with their makassi and makossa.The session musicians on Service Libre include bassist Michel Alibo whose bass lines helped shoot Sam Fan Thomas' Makassi into prominence, guitarist Jules Kamga, drummer Claude Vamur, percus- sionist Denis Hekimian, bassist/arranger Aladji Toure and Kassav's Jean Claude Naimro (keyboards). Of course, Eyango himself is responsible for lead guitar and lead vocals.
Too many cooks spoil the broth but this is an exception. 'Na Mala Maka', the opener, is not Peter Yamson's "Titimbe' but carries a normal Cameroonian feel while the horns arranged by Aladji Toure run into hypnosis. Just as the female chorus line led by the famous Sissi Dipocko begins to border on boredom the . throbbing bass lines save the situation before the track ends. The hump of 'O Hassakame' is certainly the lovely guitar work suitably supported by balafon- sounding keyboards at the beginning.
The B-side begins with keyboards and smooth guitars before the fantastic horn arrangements come into play, making 'Service Libre' an outstanding track straightaway. The vocal call and answer between Eyango and the chorus line removes all traces of doubt. It is difficult to resist dancing and voting for this track.
KINTONE: Going Home (STERNS 1013)
'Going Home Freedom's Song' 'Penin' 'Looks Like Rain'/'Street Market' 'After the Storm' 'Song For Nella' 'Ode to Joe'
Summer 1985 saw the birth of this young group in London who have brought to- gether a wealth of musical styles and experiences from different directions calypso, reggae, mbaqanga, jazz funk and lovers rock. As the publicity note says, melodic jazz would be more appropriate to describe some of the main structures inherent in Freedom's Song' and 'Penin'. Ex-Hi-Life International saxman Frank Williams would sound like trying to sup- press his exuberant style in 'Going Home' and 'Looks Like Rain' but bounces back beautifully in 'After The Storm' which is my favourite on the album.
What might sound conspicuously absent from this album is vocals except 'Going Home', and that partially defines the direction of Kintone who, it seems, are better live than on this record. I predict that only intense music lovers might go for this album especially for 'Freedom's Song', Penin' and 'After The Storm'
AFRO HOT CHART
1. OYO MOBALI SANS MANIERE Fidel Zizi (FIDEYLIS) Congo2. ASANTEMAN Pat Thomas (JAP) Ghana
3. ZULU JIVE VOL. 2 Various Artists (EARTHWORKS) Azania
4. LONDON CONNECTION Jewel Ackah (DASSI) Ghana
5. SERVICE LIBRE Eyango Ndedi (DICK'S) Cameroon
6. MARIO Franco (CHOC) Zaire
7. DIVORCE Lubaki Geant (ASWE) Congo
8. BOYA YE M'Bilia Bel (STERNS) Zaire
9. AYEYI Adomako Nyamekye (YEB) Ghana
10. PLAYS BROADWAY & UHURU Redcap James (AFROBOOM) Ghana
11. XALAT Ismael Lo (CELLULOID) Senegambia
12. SO SO KYEN KYEN Dutch Benglos (YEB) Ghana
13. KEFIMBA Ousmane Kouyate (DK) Guinea
14. MY VISION Ebenezer Obey (OBEY) Nigeria
15. MAKANSENSEMU Stephen Osei Tutu (INTER) Ghana
Chart courtesy of AFROBOOM RECORDS,
135 Clarence Road, London E5 8EE. (Mail order and distribution only.)
