Music of Equatorial Africa (Badouma/N'goundi/Okandi)

• Artist: Various Artists
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: World

Review

Back in 1950 -- when this set of recordings was first published by Folkways -- France was still very much a colonial power. Among its largest possessions in Africa was French Equatorial Africa. It consisted of four territories: Gabon, Middle Congo (see Republic of the Congo), Chad, and Ubangi-Shari (now the Central African Republic). On Music of Equatorial Africa, 15 extraordinary tracks from these expansive regions are presented. Harps, marimbas, musical bows, drums, thumb pianos, and a variegated mix of vocals are performed in variety of cultural contexts. The second song on the album, "Badouma Paddlers Song," consists of rapid-fire thumb piano (mbira), shakers, horns, and vocal texts that satirically poke fun at the "stylish" French colonialists. Another standout track, "Mboko Song," features the musical bow, a unique string instrument that may have been acted as the precursor to the Afro-Brazilian berimbau.

In his liner notes to this release, folklorist Harold Courlander chides those with misconceptions and "primitive" stereotypes about Africa: even the most cursory listening should prove the highly sophisticated nature of African cultures. And though Music of Equatorial Africa was originally pressed on vinyl, you can always order any Folkways release from the Smithsonian on CD. ~ John Vallier, Rovi

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