A vibrant fusion of African music soared through the rafters at the Philharmonic Hall moving the audience to their feet in wild delight.
Star of the African Soul Rebels production was the much-vaunted Oumou Sangare from Mali, whose fantastic range and volume rocked the theatre with African rhythms.
Sangare, who started life as a street singer was accompanied by two energetic female dancers/ backing singers, their voices merging perfectly, creating the most beautiful harmonies. She was also accompanied by a tight five-piece band. Sangare is known as a trailblazer for women’s rights in a country where women are customarily submissive.
Her songs reflect this, especially Wele Wele Wintou which campaigns against forced marriage.
Also on the bill were Warrick Sony’s Kalahari Surfers, a three-part combo, whose social comment on the evils of apartheid made them enemies of the state. They were censored and then exiled from South Africa to the UK. Typical of their music is the The Generals Walk Free, which tells of the post-apartheid amnesty where reconciliation replaced retribution. Their music is a strange mix of punk, electro dub and drum ‘n’ base. On this tour they are joined by Teba Shumba, a Johannesburg reggae singer.
Whilst some of the set was interesting and melodic, the threesome standing behind a table on which were placed two laptops which added the futuristic musical enhancements made for a boring performance.
Opening the evening was the 10-strong Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou a voodoo funk band from Benin. What is undisputable is their vivacity and enthusiasm. Melome Clement and Vincent Ahehehinnou have re-worked American soul using the rhythms of vodoun religion. Their sound is energising and uplifting, using brass, drums and bongos as well as the combined voices of the band.
Although this was a showcase for African and world music, what was missing was a compere to introduce the acts, to explain their background. The musicians could also have elucidated on what the songs were about. Most were in French or African dialect, and although Sangare tried in her broken French to interpret the meaning of one offering, the others barely bothered. This was a shame and would have added a much-needed dimension to the show. For followers with prior knowledge it hardly mattered, for they were caught up in the verve, but for others new to the genre, it would have helped enormously.
However, it was Oumou Sangare’s night, a diva with grace, who is now an icon in her home country of Mali. Sangare is the reigning Queen of African soul who has released no less than five albums, mostly containing rallying cries for African women.
She says: “I wanted to show other women they were not alone.”
Verdict - 6/10
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