The Africa Express

8th Sept 2012 | 18:00

Grafton Square, London

Africa Express, the collective of African and Western musicians, will fill a train with dozens of guest artists and play several shows across mainland Britain this September, produced by the Barbican as part of London 2012 Festival. The journey will culminate with a finale concert in brand new outdoor London venue Granary Square on Saturday 8 September. Participating artists include musical legends, emerging new artists, vocalists, DJs and producers from Africa and the West including Amadou & Mariam, Damon Albarn, Rokia Traoré,Kano, Baloji, Charli XCX, Fatoumata Diawara,Noisettes, Jupiter & Okwess International and Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club) - with lots more guests to be announced closer to the time. Africa Express began in 2006 with a trip to Mali, when co-founder Damon Albarn took the likes of Fatboy Slim, Martha Wainwright and Jamie T to work with African legends such as Toumani Diabate, Salif Keita, Amadou & Mariam and Bassekou Kouyate. This was followed by a trial London event, then the now-legendary Glastonbury 2007 show, trips to Nigeria, the Congo, Ethiopia, the BBC Electric Proms, Paris town centre and a Spanish beach show for 50,000 people. 'That was, without a doubt, the craziest show I have ever played in my life' Flea, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, after playing with Africa Express at The Shrine, Lagos

ZANI DIABATÉ & LES HÉRITIERS

The amazing album ~ "Tientalaw"

Last Recordings By The Renowned Guitarist Of The Super Djata Band


In the 1980s and at the helm of The Super Djata Band, Zani and his fellow musicians became the toast of the Western concert circuit. As critic Robert Christgau put it: “Super Djata’s groove is harder than Zairean soukous and fiercer than Senegalese mbalax”. 


As a Diabaté, one of Mali's most renowned griot families, Zani had been schooled in not just the kora and balafon but also dance and percussion, and perhaps his distinctive guitar playing reflected this synthesis. Blistering solos with unpredictable and angular episodes identified him as one of the region's great players with a style that, in some ways, was well-suited to European ears. Sadly whilst putting the finishing touches to Tientalaw  Zani, according to reports, entered the studio with guitar strapped on in readiness but shortly suffered a stroke. He later died in a Parisian hospital on the afternoon of January 5th, 2011.


For a limited time, listen to the whole album here:
http://soundcloud.com/sterns-music/sets/zani-diabat-les-h-ritiers/


Pre-orderd CD now for now a special price of just £10 (rrp £12.95)*
http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info/STCD1113


*Offer ends midnight Thursday 12 July 2012