African Collaborations Radio Show
This was my first show on Noods radio in Bristol. I recently moved to Somerset, and live just 45 mins from Bristol so wanted to get on the airways a bit more locally. The slot was only an hour so I’ve decided to deviate from the country theme and focus on some of my favourite collaborations from African artists.
The opening track with Fela Kuti and Ginger Rogers is incredible. Rogers and Kuti originally met in London in the early 60’s when Fela was studying at Trinity College of Music. In the late 60’s Baker headed to Nigeria to reconnect with Kuti. Jay Bulger details this time in an article about Baker in Rolling Stone.
Arriving in Lagos, Nigeria, Baker set up west Africa’s first 16-track recording studio and formed a lifelong friendship with Afrobeat star Fela Kuti. Performing with the musical icon for crowds of 150,000, Baker became famous throughout Nigeria as the “Oyinbo” (White) Drummer. “If Ginger wants to play jazz, he plays jazz,” says the Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. “If he wants to play rock, he starts Cream. If he wants to play Afrobeat, he moves to Nigeria. Whatever he plays, he brings his own pulse and sound. He understands the African beat more than any other Westerner.”
One of my favourite vinyls - Cubafrobeat signed by Dele Sosimi and Lokkhiterra
Next up features one of my prized records - I saw Dele Sosimi and Lokkhi Terra at St Peter’s Church in Walworth, bought one of their records and got the man himself, Dele Sosimi, to sign it. Dele is an Afrobeat legend, having played with Fela Kuti in his Egypt 80 band for seven years. It was an incredible gig and a record I will always cherish.
Full Tracklist:
Let’s Start - Fela Kuti featuring Ginger Rogers
Cubafro - Lokkhi Terra & Dele Sosimi
Jarabi - Afrocubism
Eh Ya Ye - Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet
Lasidan - Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder
Bi Djeliya - Ballake Sissoko & Baba Sissoko
1677 - Seckou Keita & Katrin Finch
Fabrice Akende Sango (feat Sam Mangwana) Franco & Le TPOK Jazz
Salvation - Marijata and Pat Thomas
