Gangbe Brass Band
The Gangbe Brass Band was created in 1994 when 8 musicians, all from Cotonou-Benin, came together. These young jazz musicians had been playing in different groups, before creating this unusual fusion of traditional styles.
Gangbe Brass Band’s option is to promote the originality of the music of Benin. The result is definitely both modern and traditional, as it mixes jazz and traditional Benin idioms.
Thomas Mapfumo
Thomas Mapfumo (born 1945 in Marondera, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean musician known as "The Lion of Zimbabwe" for his immense popularity and for the political influence he wields through his music. Pre-Independence, his songs openly called for the violent overthrow of the government, with lyrics like "Mothers, send your sons to war." Since the white government didn't understand Shona, however, at first they didn't realize how radical the songs were.
Kasai Allstars
It's a reviewer cliché to claim that you never heard anything like it. For once, it's actually true (The Times, UK) …the sound of distortion zombies coming down the road to kill us all. It's relentless… wonderful… (Pop Matters, USA) Using a spectacular mixture of acoustic instruments, electric guitars, distortion-laden thumb pianos and soulful vocals, Kasai Allstars include musicians all based in Kinshasa, DR Congo, but originating from five different ethnic groups, each with their own language and musical tradition.
Omar Pene
Omar Pene (born 1956 in Dakar) is the emblematic lead singer of the Super Diamono. He was born in the working class neighborhood of Derkle. In the mid seventies (1975-1976), he joined the Super Diamono, one of the longest running Senegalese popular bands- just. Recruited by Bailo Diagne, the first base-player and a founding member of the group, Omar Pene stood out as the most natural fixture in the band.
Nahini Doumbia
Nahini Doumbia is a griot drummer based in Mali. He and his band regularly perform at wedding and private parties in Bamako. A master drummer, he also runs workshops and teaches percussion in Mali, France, and the UK.
Zoe
(Not to be confused with Mexican rock band, Zoé. If you're here because of them, fix your artist tags.) There are, at least, five artists with this name (none to be confused with Mexican rock band, Zoé). 1) An alias of Zoë Pollock (b. in Peckham, London, UK - aka Zoë, Zo