Search - Bembeya Jazz National :: Regard Sur Le Passe

Regard Sur le Passe

Siendou Konate | Suny Binghamton, New York, United States | 01/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must recognize that i was not really expecting CD release of " Le Regard sur le Passe". The CD release gives more weight to the record in that it allows for more watt-blowing than when the record is on tape. As far as the content of Composition of Aboubacar Demba Camara is concerned, it is definitely a piece of lesson of History for young Africans in general and Mandinka people of West Africa who prize such concepts as integrity, honor, and pride. The piece is an important boost for Africans who have been, and are interested in, and intent upon, ridding the continent of any form of domination. It is so since it recounts the story of Almamy Samory Toure who ferociously and unabashedly fought againt French colonialism in West africa. To this date, Samori remains one of the african leaders who resented any rapprochement whatsoever with the imperialist/colonialist. He said NO and his no and certain mannerisms have been emulated by Sekou Toure when the latter was fighting against de Gaulle and others who fought for their independence and freedom from nazi Germany and yet deprecated the liberation struggles undertaken by Africans; to such people, for instance, Sekou Toure said NO and that " he had rather starve and die than be well-fed in slavery." He was echoing the philosophy of Samori and his ancestor Soundiata Keita who established the Mande Empire in West Africa. As far as the Mandinka people are concerned, the record played an important part in their life in that it is a modernized version of the founding story of Mande; it is a story told by a griot in order to boost the warrior, and in our case, it does apply because it help us brood over the feats of our greater grand parents and squeese out of the latter mechanisms and patterns of struggle in a new era and context. The singer sings the Hymn to War of the Wassoulou, which is very extremely the requisite message a depressed, a hopeless, disempowered, and oppressed person needs to hear, single out for reflection, and ultimately use for social practice. i highly recommend it to young Africans as well as those who are inexorably striding towards the night of their life, this momumental work by Demba Camara. Get to listen to the record and you will love it and it will help you for self-confidence, pride and hope!"

Bembeya Jazz at Their Best

otserick | Bordentown, New Jersey | 10/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bembeya Jazz is one of the greatest of all African bands and this is one of their loveliest CDs. It is actually puffery for the then Guinean Head of State but propaganda has never sounded so beautiful. The band's sound here veers more towards classic "traditional" Mande music than "modern" electric guitar dance music. Fear not, though, it swings and delights."