The Fourth Case of the African Underground

"African Underground" is a show theme dedicated to sounds from Africa that have been neglected in the US marketplace, generally because the sound is too challenging for mainstream gringo audiences.

As I often do, I am today combining music from two countries that fit this profile: Ethiopia and Mali.

Ethiopia is the only country from the east side of Africa that I regularly feature on the show. It's interesting to hear different influences in this music; particularly India/Bollywood as well as use of the Asian pentatonic scale. Ethiopia had a very rich musical scene in the late 60s and 70s, but it collapsed during the political upheavals of the 1980s. In the first hour today we will hear a sampling of mostly vintage tracks from Ethiopia, including material from the recently issued compilations "Taitu" (on the BBE Records label) and "Ethiopiques Box Set Vol. 2" (on the Heavenly Sweetness label). 

The second hour today is devoted to current music from Mali. The majority of current Malian music (in the Western marketplace, at any rate) is traditional cultural music rather than hip-hop or other modern international styles. We'll hear modern music with traditional roots from a range of current artists, including several tracks from the fine new album "Toubalbero" by Sidi Toure.