Right from when I was a wee lad in Elementary school in Aba where I first closed my eyes and dared to dream my dream, I have hashed and rehashed my game plan over and over and after circa 30 years of tinkering I finally believe I have arrived at the final draft of my game plan. For starters pleading Africa’s case in front the of the world’s foremost Organization at 2 Rockefeller Plaza would not be fat bellied politicians or so called “leaders” with hidden agendas, but my mouth piece would be her most potent voice- namely her Musicians
Since my piece is quasi fictitious and by default I have the power of unchecked imagination on my side, I would pluck and pull them from both the past and present tense and from all continents. Under the banner of arguably the most powerful words in Black Movie History, you know the ones uttered by Ophra in the Color Purple that go “Until You Do Right By Me” I would unveil my presentation in a controlled but vexed cry for the justice that currently still remains deferred for Africa. Needless to say, after 3 decades of preparation it is a mammoth show that spans for hours and to do it justice on paper it has to be broken up into 4 parts, the first now unfolding below.
Disc 1 – In Unum Luceant
TRACK 1: Franco
My first singer would be the Great Francois Luambo Makiadi from the Congo. Slippery as an eel politically, and arguably the greatest African musician of all time he didn't get where he was as the epitome the Congolese sound machine by antagonizing the powers-that-be. It is this same ability to be diplomatic that I am counting on during our first roll of the dice. I say this because in 1984 he recorded a tribute to Mobutu, “Candidat Na Biso Mobutu”, a single track stretching across both sides of an album in praise of the leopard skin nasty. It is simply put such a delicious work of art that had he stretched the same song over 20 CD’s - it still would not have been enough. Needless to say, anyone that can make a Cobra like Mobutu smell like a jacaranda blossom is gifted beyond words, and should be able to entice
more help from the UN. It becomes even more dramatic when we consider that the particular rot suffocating his country especially was put into motion a long time by King Leopold with their initial blessing.
Arguably The Best Ever - The Great Franco
I would not be as diplomatic with my next act because their music can be defined as nothing less than as being “in your face”. It is the bitter sweet high energy sound of Central Igbo land and played as only the “Oriental Brothers” can. Make no mistake there is absolutely not one iota of subtlety coming out of Owerri, because this is where the rubber meets the road. Just as they did on "Onye wu Onye” (a song that fittingly questions face value ) they will hopefully reproduce the high octane sound of an African market at its zenith. A mish mash of what seems like a thousand tinkering precussions laid over pealing guitars and raspy voices their music puts the H in Highlife and is just mesmerizing. It is angry, loud and suffocating and there is not one person who I am praying will not be captivated by the confidence of the band and the essence of their product.
TRACK 2: Mighty Sparrow
Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi....AKA The Mighty Sparrow
My next singer would be an African however from the Caribbean Diaspora. Born Dr. Slinger Francisco but known as “The Mighty Sparrow”, he is the unrivaled Calypso King of the World, with a career that spans over 40 years and counting. We love him especially in Nigeria where in 1977 during FESTAC, Sparrow received the honorary title of Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi. “The Birde” as he is also affectionately dubbed, is not just an outstanding musician but he is a hell of a comedian as well. As we hear “Good Morning Mr. Walker” his ode to playboys is not just a great song that utilizes both horns and kettle drums in an alluring hypnotic way; but the writing is just out of this world. You almost can’t decide to either hum along or laugh when he mimics Rosemary , Mr. Walker’s daughter and delivers lines like “she’s a monkey wearing mini”. As you can imagine his wit is so infectious that there is not one dry eye in the place.
TRACK 3: Ipi Tombi
Turning the page, I would return to the continent and to South Africa to be exact. I would now roll out the cast of Ipi Tombi from 1974, complete with bare chests and African regalia just as they performed their great show “The Warrior” that pastiches of a variety of South African indigenous musical styles and tells the story of a young black man leaving his village and wife to work in the mines of Johannesburg. I know that Margaret Singana’s voice will not only convey an angry message about AIDS and a nations diminished opportunity with the same precision as she did on Mamma Tembo’s Wedding; but if they choose to ignore the enticing “cluck you” sound of her Xhosa tongue, we can easily change it to a “f*%$k you” as well. As a Minister I don’t want to be ever accused of not being able to think on my feet or improvise
TRACK 4: Selif Keita
Next on the list would be the Malian Selif Keita. Also known as the “Golden Voice “of Africa he was once one of the most ostracized Musicians on the continent. Outcast by his family and ostracized by his community because of his albinism(a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture) nobody technically speaking should know pain and frustration more than him. I am counting on that to come through his voice loud and clear just as it did in that angry wail on “Mandjou”. I will implore him to bark about Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Liberia and ask the members how and why it allowed such a catastrophic trilogy to unfold when a mere wisp of smoke anywhere else would warrant an instant deployment of peace keepers. – ironically almost always African. Since his music combines traditional West African styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style hue - I know it will be easily digested by everyone and that it’s impact will have maximum effect.
TRACK 5: Fela Kuti: ITT
My next singers would be the end result of a Google search with the keywords “Africa- Activism -Music and Talent”. They are Africa’s most famous Father Son duo in the form of the enigmatic Fela and Femi Kuti from Nigeria. Already I can envision the buzz as they walk down the isle, very alike but also very different. “Fela” as usual would be confrontational, walking down the various rows, wagging his finger in anger and daring people to hold his gaze. Just as he had done with then President Obasanjo on “ITT” decades ago, he is unflinchingly honest. Remember? It was then for the first time in Modern Africa that a ruling Head of State is called out as a rouge and criminal, embarrassing an up till then toothless Press and drawing a line in the sand for all oppressors, including the Army to be wary off. He then had rattled the cage with such audacity and bravado that it has never stopped swaying till today.
TRACK 6
Femi always the gentleman, arrives less abrasively but still with the subtlety of an upper cut masked in a silk glove. Backing him however is not his usual band but a gaggle of some specially imported friends from Philadelphia also know as “The Roots”. Yes Ladies and Gentlemen pounding the drums complete with Extra Large Afro and black power comb at a naughty angle, is Quest Love himself and the combination is like an olive in a Martini. In other words - it is perfect. The song is the special Ibiza version of “Blackman Know Yourself” and it is a call for all Africans in the Diaspora to wake up and smell the coffee and stop raping their own. The honorable Minister from The Sudan suddenly has to go to the bathroom as both Kuti’s approach him singing as one. Luckily I intercept them and lead them backto the podium, but the message is not lost.
TRACK 7: Remmy Ongala
The Tanzanian Doctor
Hello UN? This is Tanzania Calling” and with that Remmy Ongala and his Super Matimila Orchestra would arrive with a crash and a bang. Known for his powerful “Swahili” lyrics that often include political barbs aimed at the wielders of power of all description, he is just as famous for coming to the defense of the common man and woman. No wonder that he is also called “The Doctor” because of the therapeutic effects of his music . Today we are treated to “Nalila Mwana” and are again blow away by his unique style based on Soukous, three guitars, bass, drum, and one saxophone. The result is a rawer version, more rooted in local Tanzanian traditions and it is a sheer delight to hear.
TRACK 8: Osibissa
Then we would leap frog over the continent and arrive in Ghana home to the great juggernaut called Osibissa to continue our assault. While they could have virtually played about anything - from Coffee in Brazil to Chickens in Accra - we choose that they replicate “Fire” their mega hit from the 70’s for the audience. It simply displaces everything else that they have done and justifiable so. Commercially one of the hugest hits for an African band ever, its message is just as simple (Play With Fire You Get Burned) as the Music is intricate. Hopefully the August gathering understands the logic in this. Help balance Africa’s books today or pay for her bounced checks tomorrow. Featuring one of the more wicked lead guitar solos as well as a very solid arrangement of horns and key board it is a monster of a song and is bound to captivate each attentive ear.
TRACK 9: Oriental Brothers
Igbo music to me has always had as much versatility to it as say, a bar has forms of alcohol. I say this because if the for mentioned “Oriental Brothers” could be considered a hard hitting “Schnapps” our next performer can be deemed to be nothing less than a smooth Scotch. Hailing from Ogbaru where he is also the Chief, "The Atani" achieved stardom the hard way as he worked his way through a circuit of night clubs and dance halls in Lagos, far away from his home, right from when he discovered his musical gift which had blossomed from his high school days in Onitsha. Sir Osita Osadebe may not have created highlife music, but he did reinvent it by merging the merenge and rumba to his back ground beat. Add to this his uncanny delivery style-complete with Red Ozo cap and immaculate white lace-during which he half sings and half recites his lines, and you have something that sends shivers down your spine. Just in a good way. By the time he ends “Osondi Owendi” my favorite High Life tune ever dedicated to the "Ying and Yang" we find in everyday life, the congregation who has been listening to it via the myriad of real time translations over their blue tooth heads sets, has collectively stood up and is now clapping and stomping their feet in appreciation.
TRACK 10: Osondi Owendi
Basking in my initial success, I can think of no better time than to take my first break and subsequently announce this. As I pass the trays of refreshments being ferried in and start my walk off into the tunnel below I can virtually feel roar of the crowd and thunder of their applause. However while my face now wears the widest of grins I am already thinking about Part II.
Posted by Robot| 05.04.2008 15:47