You won’t find anything grand or revealing on my blog post today. Please, don’t shut the door in my face yet. Hear me out. Okay? Ok, my mind is off the pace. I feel numb. Maybe it’s got to do with how fickle life is. Or it’s because I’m nervous. I won’t tell you why I’m nervous. Maybe I will sometime. That’ll be some succulent gossip about my life’s escapades.
Today’s prompt made me think about music and dance. I thought about the dynamic music on this continent. Music about everyday life. Have you noticed most of African music is upbeat? Turn on an Awilo Longomba song right now and see if you’ll stay seated. It gets you up on your feet and makes you move your body. Shake that thing your mama gave you. As long as you’re African, you can dance. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are. You are a natural dancer.
Dancing is in our blood. It’s passed on like a baton from one generation to the other. And you’ve got to pass it on to the next generation too. Keep it going. I’ll be honest though, my dancing is so bad the only way I can redeem myself is by marrying a girl with the right dancing genes. That’ll balance the equation. I guess I’ve got to think wisely about that decision.
Ah, I remembered one other thing that’s unanimous with Africans. We all beat drums, don’t we? That one is easy.
I thought about the South Sudanese singer, Emmanuel Jal. I watched his latest video, More Power, on YouTube. There is a lot of dancing in there. That homeboy is a joy to watch. I listened to my favorite Angolan musician, Matias Damasio. There’s no dancing with him. Yo’, that guy is smooth. I wish I understood Portuguese. I always feel the suave oomph in his music. Oh, I see someone at the back raising her hand. Yes, you.
Yola Semedo? I could listen to her all day too, my friend. She’d pass for a Zouk and Kizomba legend.
This is where my piece for today should’ve ended. I know, it’s probably tangents off what you might have expected. Even I didn’t expect that kind of abrupt ending. I figured, if I shared something extra, your eyes might like it. All I’m saying is, please don’t leave yet. You’ve read this far. I’m sure you can go to the end. What do you think?
Anyway, the next 196 words after this paragraph first appeared on my Facebook Page over three and a half years ago. It was my take on Sauti Sol’s Live and Die in Afrika music album. If it reads a little stale, I promise to make it up to you in another blog post. Deal? [Insert smiley]
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I’m a sucker for good music. And I went on for another over 150 words.
I love music which is well arranged, well thought out, well produced and creatively presented. Sauti Sol’s Live and Die in Afrika album fits that description.
The good news about this 15 track album which was released about a week and a half ago is that it’s legally available for free download. Yes, you can download the whole album free of charge from the Sauti Sol website, unless the free offer has expired.
Each track has its unique sound that sets a different mood all through the album. Isabella and Kiss Me make you want to have a slow dance with the one you love. The title track, Live and Die in Afrika will leave you nodding your head to the rich sound of percussions and an electrifying guitar sound. It’s beautiful. Track 15-Relax, has an acoustic background to it. It has a disco like sound and the lead guitarist does an excellent job. And of course it goes without saying; Sura Yako is part of this album.
Get yourself the Live and Die in Afrika album. You will love it.
Oh you just reminded me of Emmanuel Jal! I remember his song, “hey gal your skirt too shorrrttt…I don’t wanna see your thighs!” I should check that power video. And yes, all of us Africans can dance!
Yeah, check out his new video. It’s fun.