ZubopGambia is a collaboration between London-based worldbeat music group Zubop, vocalist Molara and the West African master musicians Njega Sohna (djembe, talking drum, vocals) and Solomelo (vocal and guitar).
For the past twenty years, Zubop have been performing throughout the UK and in continental Europe, playing their unique blend of original music, which is influenced by many musical cultures from around the world. They have released four widely acclaimed CDs and played many major festivals including WOMAD and Glastonbury.
Following a guest spot when ZubopGambia played the Queens Hall, Narbeth, we were thrilled when the fantastic vocalist Molara accepted an invitation to collaborate with us. Those of you into your dub will doubtless know Molara from her days with the mighty Zion Train, but she is a woman of many talents. With the bloodline of Fela Kuti flowing through her, she brings her own inimitable style to the proceedings.
So, May 2008 saw the band converge on Hendre Hall in Bangor, where a kicking night was enjoyed by all. Big shout to the crew of Byd Mawr (Big World) who run one of the slickest, most relaxed, most fun nights to be found in the UK. (You can see photos in the slide show below.) Next was the Electric Palace in Bridport, where a full house danced the night away. The rest of the summer included visits to Lincolnshire, Lithuania, Amsterdam, the Blackhorse Festival in Battle and the Thames Festival.
One of the emerging young generation of Gambian musicians, Njega Sohna has been a professional drummer for 16 years, performing and teaching in both The Gambia and the UK, playing a range of traditional African Drums, including the talking drum and his main drum, the djembe. He runs his own company 'Gambia Afro Beat', based in Lincolnshire and established to provide a range of African percussion and music services, in schools and arts venues, for individuals and companies.
Njega played on several tracks of Zubop's CD 'Tekezze', which Observer critic Dave Gelly described as "optimistic, unpretentious and hugely accomplished."
Solomelo was born in Banjul, Gambia in 1965. His first musical influence was his grandmother, who sang to him. In the late '60's Banjul was the night club capital of West Africa. Legendary bands like Super Eagles and Ifang Bondi had international success and were the influences that had a lasting effect on him. He started his musical career in '87. In '02 formed his band called "ROOFLESS" He has performed extensively in Gambia at a variety of venues and festivals. He has organised the two world music day concerts in Gambia in '06 and '07. Also in '07 he organised a tribute concert for a political prisoner in America to support the abolition of the death penalty. In '06 Solomelo with the help of Nola Marshall formed GAMMA the Gambian's Musicians Association On May 2nd and 3rd, 08 the association went to congress and voted in their first executive. Solomelo is their first President. The association is now a Nationally recognised union now called MUSIGAM.The union's main objectives are to raise the status of musicians in Gambia. To augment the profile of Gambian music and culture, to set a fair rate of pay and to implement cultural exchanges with world musicians and academics. His aims are: -To become internationally known. -To produce his own work and that of other up and coming artists in Gambia. -To build a music school in Gambia where young musicians can learn basic knowledge of music, instruments and singing techniques and how to promote themselves. In October '07 he recorded his first album "KESS".
In Winter 2003 a number of new collaborative pieces were composed for an Arts Council backed tour of the UK. Some pieces highlight the parallels between us and some the contrasts. ZubopGambia brings together the musical interests and influences of everyone involved - the performances include not only traditional West African pieces, but elements of jazz, township music, pop, reggae, blues and many other styles. This was a collaboration with the wonderful Gambian musician Juldeh Camara - singer and riti player (one-stringed African fiddle) and master drummer Njega Sohna.
The tour included medium and large-scale venues; successes included selling out the 400-seater New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, and playing to an audience of 1,000 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. The final concert at Ronnie Scotts, London ,where fRoots magazine said ZubopGambia managed to raise the roof, giving a new focus and energy to Zubops jazzy-latin-reggae-afro-blues mix, was released as a live album in July 04.
In Spring 2005 a tour was organised with partners SETA, with additional backing from the Arts Council and PRSF; it played to capacity houses with audiences getting up to dance even in seated venues. The show featured specially commissioned visuals by Evan Manifattori, who has worked with Boy George and Tricky.
Theres a spark about it all which is downright infectious......... fRoots
The reason this bands music always seems so fresh is that it is constantly finding new things to get excited about. Irresistible, high-spirited and full of fun .........The Observer
A whirlygig of world beat sounds .........Jazzwise
Our venue was rockin by the end of the night!........... Sara Robinson, Director, Ludlow Assembly Rooms
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time for you...
GREETINGS ZUBOP GAMBIA. JUST PASS TO SHOW ONE LOVE TO U ALL HOPE EVERYTHING IS FINE KEEP THE MUSIC BLAZING LOVE THE AFRO MANDINGO SOUND FROM GAMBIA WILL KEEP THE LINK A RAHMAN GAMBIAN BROTHER
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Tampa Taiko is a professional drumming duo that has performed their unique style for a vast array of audiences, performing at festivals, concert halls, schools, workshops, summer camps, corporate and VIP events. Using a collection of taiko drums made by themselves from discarded wine barrels, Tampa Taiko has developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming, bringing a contemporary vibrance to an ancient martial artform.
I hope all is well and good and I just wanted to let you know I've just put up a new track called ECHO so I thought you might want to have a listen. :o) It's just the instrumental version I did not long ago but I do have a full section of vocal to arrange into this track so I'll keep you posted on the outcome! :o)
I appreciate your time and support and any comments posted.
Do you like fiddle music? Are you a fiddler? Then join us in the Fiddle World - sometimes called the Facebook for Fiddlers!
http://fiddleworld.ning.com
It's free to join and we're always looking for new members...see you there
We hope you can come to our gig at Bush Hall, Shepherd's Bush on Friday. Spread the word to your friends. It'll be a great party.
Its the launch party for our new album "Baka Beyond the Forest" that was released on Monday
You can hear clips on our website (www.baka.co.uk) and our Myspace page.
One Love!
Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.
Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment.
Opponents confront us continually, but actually there is no opponent there. Enter deeply into an attack and neutralize it as you draw that misdirected force into your own sphere.
True victory is self victory
Have a great year, Much love and light heading your way.. Gx
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