Le Roi du Ziglibithy

Ziglibithy was one of the most popular dance styles in Cote' d'Ivoire in late 1970s and Ernesto Djedje was the king. As a vocalist, guitarist and arranger, Djedje is one of many unsung heroes of West African pop. Though undoubtedly influenced by the popularity of Congolese music and the arrival of Sam Mangwana in Abidjan in the 1970s, Djedje's music is uniquely Ivorian. The use of hand drums, bass drum and hi-hat--and the absence of the snare drum--as the main vehicle for the Ziglibithy rhythm, separates it from the Conogolese music it is often compared to. The interaction of guitars and the horns on this record is amazing. These are certainly some of the best horn arrangements to ever come out of West Africa and the musicianship all around is top rate. There's even a little motown in there if you listen hard...

http://www.brooklynglue.org/afrique/Vol1GnoantreDansZibote.zip

Also check out:

Live African Soundz at Public Assembly, Wed. July 15, 9pm

Big speakers and brass bands down by Zongo Junction. Hot dance sounds from the streets of Accra to your Public Assembly:

9pm Tomos Tenacious Trio
10pm Don't Give Small Money Chance Brass Band
11pm Zongo Junction
12pm DJ Pasternak of Lemonade

Wed, July 15
$6
70 N. 6th Street, Williamsburg

For those who don't know Zongo Junction is a major stop light in Madina, Accra.
More about Ghana.

Danse Afrique, Vol. 1

Danse Afrique Vol. 1: Senegal and Ghana

10PM: Doors
DJ Concerned all night on the 1's and 2's
10PM: Don't Give Small Money Chance Brass Band (Ghana)
Midnight: WAAW Band (Senegal)
$8 Suggested donation

Danse Afrique Vol.1 is the premier of an ongoing series presenting the hottest African bands in the Brooklyn Underground. Vol. 1 will feature the Classic sounds of Senegal (WAAW Band), Ghana (Don't Give Small Money Chance Brass Band), and of course to tie it all together on the 1's and 2's, one of Brooklyn's finest, DJ Concerned! Lets start this party right, gonna be crazy....Africa Hot! $8 suggested donation.

Don't Give Small Money Chance Brass Band:

From the streets of Accra to the Brooklyn underground we bring you NYCs hottest new dance party. Blending Ghanaian traditional rhythms with marching band percussion and big brass this 14 piece ensemble is guaranteed to make you move. Made up of a rotating line up of some of New Yorks' finest musicians, members of the band have played with Akoya Afrobeat, Antibalas, the Roots, Slavic Soul Party, the Arcade Fire, the SNL Band, the Met Opera, and the Tommy Dorsey Orch.

WAAW Band:

Led by legendary Senegalese Bassist Thierno Camara, WAAW Band is the first NYC-based group to present authentic and original M'balax Music of the Wolof people from Senegal, West Africa. The WAAW Band's original and fresh approach to M'balax reflects the diverse talents of the group's members and how they infuse the musical traditions of their homeland with the popular styles they have absorbed as young musicians living in New York City.

WAAW Band plays Music Direct from the Steets of Dakar, Senegal...Pure & Tuff!!

DJ Concerned:

If you don't know already, DJ Concerned is one of the hottest DJ's in Brooklyn and a cornerstone of it's musical DNA. Intent on defending the blend, Concerned navigates the waters where Funk, Soul, Reggae, Latin, Afro-beat and Hip Hop intersect.