African Soul Rebels annual tour
Article published: Sunday, March 23rd 2008
blew Manchester away, 25th February
Few gigs offer not one but two legendary African musicians on the same bill, but the African Soul Rebels tour brings a different line-up of African greats to UK audiences each year, and tonight I found that great is more than justified.
Relative newcomer Awadi, from Senegal, opened the night with an energetic blend of hip-hop and traditional West African sounds. Id love to say they got the crowd on their feet, but unfortunately this seat-bound concert hall audience remained impassive to their passionate and spell-binding rhythms. Rapper and political activist Didier Awadi also tried tirelessly to engage the audience in his stirring pan-African anti-capitalist message, but sadly his reception was lacklustre to say the least.
The next act, Malian singer Salif Keita, didnt need to speak a word to make his presence felt. He just played and sang beautifully, sometimes solo, but mostly accompanied by an assorted crew of African percussionists and rock musicians. Known as Africas golden voice, Keita has been performing for more than 40 years and shows no sign of declining in quality. His groundbreaking 1987 album Soro introduced the world to a hip-swaying blend of traditional African and electronic dance sounds, and since then he has explored and blended a wide range of genres, now adopting a more soulful, acoustic sound. Bizarrely, tonights addition of a country and western style harmonica and guitar didnt sound at all out of place.
Tony Allen did get some of the audience on their feet, but then, if the co-founder of the joyous dance music of Afro-Beat can’t make your toes tap then you need to check your pulse. Widely regarded as one of the best drummers in the world, Allen was co-conspirator on Fela Kuti’s influential Africa ’70 albums, and since the late 70s has been recording solo. Allen’s trademark polyrhythmic drumming is truly mesmerising and provides the backbone for a lush musical journey, taking in jazz trumpet, funk guitar and West African influences, with a spirit of high energy which belies Allens 67 years.
I can well believe Allen when he says, As long as Im alive, Ill never let the music get boring. But this could be the mantra for every act I saw tonight: unremitting brilliance.
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