Search - Seydu :: Diamond Tears

Rhythm & guitar combine with a local sense of melody sheltered in the hearts of African tribes like Djelibá, Mendé, Mandinga, and Fullah (Seydu's tribe) to create what is commonly called "Palm Wine Music." Few can play this music, but Seydu's can! After performing with the National Dance Troupe of Sierra Leone, Seydu's moved to Nigeria, where he lived in Fela Anikulapo Kuti's city/commune, sharing the rich musical culture of Kuti's unique afro-beat. He then moved to Spain, where he became a member of Stevie Wonder's band and is today considered one of the most prominent percussionists in the country. After leaving his first band, Bambara, he started to develop his own musical ideas based on the traditional music of his childhood and the diverse musical influences he had encountered during his eclectic career. Diamond Tears is a masterpiece of West African music that recovers the spirit of the "Palm Wine Music." Although characteristically percussive, the songs are unmistakably melancholic, recounting tales of life and hope in Creole and English.