LENI STERN: Africa

Leni Stern

Africa

© 2007 LENI STERN RECORDINGS (898225000949)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Leni Stern's "Africa", two years in the making, integrates African and Western music forms with such authenticity that it may come to be regarded as an 'audio documentary' of African musical life.

tracks

1 Bamake
2 1000 Stars
3 Keita
4 Simbo
5 Ahinin Be Al Allah (Lord, Have Mercy)
6 Saya (Farewell)
7 Aman Iman (Water is Life)
8 Ousmane
9 Alu Maye (Have You Seen)
10 Ami
11 Dakkan (What is Written)
12 Childsoldier
13 Forest Song

notes

Leni Stern's 'AFRICA,' two years in the making, integrates African and Western music forms with such authenticity that it may come to be regarded as an 'Audio Documentary' of African musical life. Recorded in Africa, playing with local musicians at the pace of life in Africa, Stern invites listeners to immerse themselves in African culture as she experienced it, first-hand. She comments: "I want people to hear what Africa sounds like. Africa deserves our respect, not just our mercy. And out of respect for the music, I felt compelled to record the album in Africa."

With its robust percussion and asymmetrical song structure, 'Africa' showcases the indigenous sounds of brilliant African instrumentalists and singers, as well as Stern's acclaimed electric guitar chops and vocals. Stern recalls: "As a white woman in a Muslim country, playing an electric guitar, my presence had an powerful impact." In fact, her African colleagues gave Stern a name of honor: 'MOUSSA GUITAR FOE' – and she is the only one. "My gold Strat became popular," Stern recalls. "Guitar Dechire, they’d say in Mali - distorted guitar. The women liked to see me play -- 'she is talking back to the men, she doesn’t stop, she is making them work hard' -- they'd laugh. I think Salif Keita enjoyed the controversy about his toubabou - his white woman on lead guitar."

'Africa', set for October 30th release, is a passionate turn for Stern, notable for its musicianship as well as for the simple fact that it got made. "Few have attempted such an undertaking and pulled it off," she says. A listen to the track 'Dakkan (What is Written)' captures the dynamic quality of the new album -- sounding simultaneously Western and distinctly African -- from the instrumentation to the vocals to the mix of languages -- this track is a centerpiece of 'Africa' and conveys the uplifting spirit of the project.

The 13-song CD 'Africa' grew out of the Stern EP 'Alu Maye (Have You Heard),' which was recorded in Mali, at Salif Keita's Bamako Studios. The EP was the latest step in Stern's evolution as a musician's musician, without boundaries. In a recent, rave review in JAZZIZ Magazine, critic Philip Booth praised: "As an artist, she has become practically unclassifiable. To everyone but the bean counters, that’s a strength...Stern effectively allies her throaty vocals and thoughtful six-string playing with the hypnotic rhythms, percussive textures and singsong choruses of West African music. The kaleidoscopic flickering of multi-stringed instruments makes an entirely natural sonic backdrop for the leader."

Stern pays tribute to the late Michael Brecker on '1000 Stars' and showcases two of his final recordings on 'Saya (Farewell)' and 'Ousman'. Other collaborators on 'Africa' include Ami Sacko and Mah Soumano -- a recent joint appearance on African Television may be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br4UyqgzgMI

Stern's strong bond with Mali was chronicled in a Guitar Player Magazine photo essay last year. The photos and first-person commentary described Stern's visit to Mali's Festival In The Desert. A follow-up feature, on the making of 'Africa', will run soon. In the mean time, here is a look at Stern's journey: http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?storyCode=13913

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • author: Tamara at CD Baby

    After the moving, “teaser” 5-song EP, Alu Maye, whetting our appetite for Leni’s distinct singer/songwriter style imbedded with the sounds and atmosphere of Mali, this full-length, 13-track project, Africa, beautifully builds upon the momentum she ignited. With songs that speak to, express and reflect the issues affecting Mali, from a deep regard for life-giving, precious water to the plight of child soldiers, this project, two years in the making, embodies not just the rich, harmonic and percussive sounds of the region but its spirit, its people, its beauty, its pace of life, serving as a kind of audio documentary. Recorded at Salif Keita’s Bamako Studios, set for an October 30th release but now available digitally, this is one of the most respectable and moving collaborations between musical styles, instruments, ideas and cultures; Stern is the female answer to Markus James.

email

Please log in to email this artist.