Sierra Leone Radio Show
This show features an interview with Chief Boima whose father is from Sierra Leone. He is a producer, writer, cultural activist and DJ, founder of the INTL BLK record label and co-founder of the Kondi Band. In the interview we cover a lot of ground including how he met the co-founder of the Kondi Band, Sori Kondi, his musical upbringing, his love for Hip Hop, the new album from the Kondi Band, We Famous and why he got a Banjo for his 40th birthday.
The recent album was created by Chief Boima, Will Horricks and Sori Kondi. Sori sings and plays the Kondi (a wooden box with metal keys on it that he plucks with his thumbs). He is blind and has a striking look with his oversized sunglasses and Sierra Leonian dress. You may know Will Horricks better as producer and DJ LV, and he co-produced the album alongside Boima and Sori. There is a partial transcript of the interview with Chief Boima at the end of the page if you want to read more from that.
In addition to We Famous, I bought a few other records while researching the show. Including Soundway Record’s Muyei Power - Sierra Leone in the 1970s USA is a high-energy funk album with soaring funk guitar lines, polyrhythmic percussion and powerful harmonies. Even the slow-starting Be Patient, which starts with a wandering sax melody, switches up the pace to an energetic party whistle dance tune. It was recorded between 1975 and 1976 when the band were touring California and is the first time these songs have been released as an album, having only previously been released as singles soon after the band split in 1979.
Secondly, Afro National - African Experimentals (1972-1979) was released on Africa Seven in 2018. The band is led by the charismatic Sulay Abu Bakarr and this collection focuses on some of their more dancefloor-friendly tunes. They were originally formed in Sierra Leone but toured Europe extensively.
Finally, my good friend Rosie Lowe has recently released a beautiful album with Duval Timothy called Son and I’ve featured the title track here. Duval has his roots in Sierra Leone and they recorded this album between London and Freetown. The album is well worth checking out when you have some time - give yourself some space to give it a proper listen when you get the chance!
Full tracklist:
Afro National - Gowa
Muyei Power - Bi Look
Afro National - Push Am Forward
Muyei Power - Ben Ben Bee
Gerald Pino - Black Woman experience
Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars - Soda Soap
Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars - Kali
Abdul Tee-Jay Ro Manke
Bunny Mack - Let me Love You (Andy Daniell Edit)
Kondi Band - Belle Wahala
Sorie Kondi - Thogolobea (LV Remix)
Chief Boima Interview
(Kondi Band - We Famous Album)
Kondi Band - Got No Money (I Want You)
Kondi Band - It’s God’s World So Don’t Do Bad
Kondi Band - How Will It Be For Me In This Work
Kondi Band - Yeaonoh (Powe Handa Blingabe)
Kondi Band - Fatou
Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars - Gbrr Mani (Trouble)
Afro National - Dem Kick
Muyei Power - Be Patient
S.E. Rogie - African Gospel
S.E. Rogie - Koneh Pelawoe
Rosie Lowe & Duval Timothy - Son
