Desert Crossroads

Etran Finatawa
(Riverboat, TUG1048)

Among the grasslands of the Sahel and the shifting dunes of the Sahara desert, two legendary nomadic peoples, the Wodaabe and Tuareg, are joined together in the raunchy guitars and haunting voices of Etran Finatawa. As the winds of change cast uncertainty over their nomadic lifestyle, both cultures are at a crossroads. Etran Finatawa reflect on their roots, with a nostalgia and warmth that mirrors the majesty of their desert home.
 

**** (Four stars) 'Top of the World album.' Songlines 2008

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Jidka

Saba
(Riverboat, TUG1047)

Born in Mogadishu to an Italian father and Ethiopian mother, Saba has come to represent the meeting of African and European cultures: as an actress she starred in a long-running TV drama, playing the role of a policewoman fighting against the prejudice of her colleagues, while dealing with issues such as illegal immigration from Africa. On Jidka (The Line), her musical debut, she explores the divide between Somalia and Italy with a rare sensitivity and gentle humour; mixing acoustic guitars and koras with traditional African beats and contemporary percussion. The result reflects both one woman's search for her identity and what it means to be alive in the 21st century, when so many people live in more than one culture.
 

'Saba clearly has talent.' Songlines

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Studio Cameroon

Sally Nyolo And The Original Bands Of Yaounde
(Riverboat, TUG1043)

Studio Cameroon marks the return of internationally renowned artist Sally Nyolo to her homeland and tells the story of her quest to explore and develop the local music scene. While searching for fresh talent, she set up a studio in a modest tin-roofed building: somewhere she could meet with other musicians in a relaxed environment. The resulting carefree atmosphere is evident throughout these raw and magical recordings. This is music made purely for the joy of it.
 

‘A treasure.' The Sunday Times

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Sigil

Nuru Kane
(Riverboat, TUG1041)

Crossing the Sahara: Dakar to Marrakech
Nuru Kane was born and raised in Medina, Dakar, and his distinctive take on Senegalese music explores the connections between the music of North and West Africa – a musical journey across the Sahara. This album captures Nuru’s range of influences, from his blues-led solo songs, reminiscent of Ali Farka Touré, through to the driving gnawa trance that forms the backbone of his pulsating live performances. Unhindered, unrestricted and full of musical surprises, Sigil’s instrumentation is primarily acoustic, but the results are electric.
 

'Accessible and intoxicating.' The Independent

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Ceasefire

Emmanuel Jal & Abdel Gadir Salm
(Riverboat, TUG1038)

For the first time, musicians from the north and south of Sudan come together to explore their common ground. Southern Sudanese artist Emmanuel Jal, one of the hottest rappers to explode out of the African music scene, joins northern Sudanese singer, composer and oud player Abdel Gadir Salim in a captivating musical collaboration. This incredible alliance of a renowned maestro with a young rapper produces music bursting with intricate melodies and a central message calling for peace in Sudan.


**** (four stars) ‘A lyrical and musical reconciliation summit.' Songlines

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Sabou

Mory Kante
(Riverboat, TUG1034)

Riverboat Records and World Music Network are proud to present Sabou by the legendary West African singer and kora player Mory Kanté. Sabou is an all-acoustic release by the first African artist to sell a million singles with 'Yéké Yéké', which topped the European charts in 1988. An exceptionally talented griot from Guinea in West Africa and a contemporary with Salif Keita in the Rail Band back in the 1970s, Mory Kanté has produced a stunning new album of depth and poise that is firmly grounded in his traditional griot roots.
 

**** (four stars) 'The best songs match his soaring vocals and impressive multi-instrumental work.' The Guardian

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Mapou

Rene Lacaille
(Riverboat, TUG1033)

René Lacaille is the musical embodiment of the unique Creole culture of the Indian Ocean island of La Réunion, incorporating African, Indian, Madagascan and European rhythms and instruments. On the album Mapou, this remarkable singer, accordion player, guitarist and extraordinary songster tells the story of his troubadour life, which highlights the evolution of the music of La Réunion and features (among others) the fascinating styles of séga and maloya.
 

'Earthy and evocative folk music.' The Daily Telegraph

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Dilon

Dilon Djindji
(Riverboat, TUG1026)

Having been a musician and performer all your life and to release your debut album at the age of 75 must be an extraordinary experience. Known as ‘a man of a thousand stories’ and ‘The Grand Old Man of Marrabenta’, Dilon Djindji has done just that. Fresh from the critical acclaim of Mabulu’s albums and the success of the recent tours, Dilon has produced an innovative album that places marrabenta in a previously unexplored acoustic context. Full of feeling and passion, this album demonstrates Dilon’s enthusiasm and unbounded energy for music and life.


'A superb solo debut… on the evidence of this album he deserves to become an international star.' Songlines

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