super mama djombo: festival

Hailing from a Boy Scout camp deep in the jungle of late 1960s Guiné-Bissau, Super Mama Djombo's founding musicians have come a long way to display their wonderful music to the world. Drummer Zé, singer Herculano, and original guitar players Gonçalo and Taborda picked the name Mama Djombo as an homage to a local goddess revered by independence fighters. Tiny Guiné Bissau is located between Senegal at its northern border and Guinée Conakry on its eastern and southern border. A former part of the mighty Mali empire, it was then one of the last African countries not to have gained its freedom from Portugal, its colonial power. Hence, a fierce war for independence struck the country, until independence was eventually won over in 1974, after many years of suffering. In the early 1970s, the Mama Djombo underground orchestra played mostly for secret political rallies supporting the PAIGC, the major Independence Movement for Guiné and Cabo Verde. Adriano Atchutchi became the bandleader after independence, bringing a book full of his songs. Atchutchi recruited singer Dulce Neves, adding Creole sweetness to its already heady mix of juvenile enthusiasm, candid melodies and touches of Luso-tropicalism. Some of their early songs were roughly recorded when the band played live over Guiné Bissau's national radio, after the country won independence in 1975. Without a proper recording studio in Bissau, the orchestra took off for Lisbon in January 1979. For less than a month, Super Mama Djombo recorded hours of music from their vast repertoire at Valentim de Carvalho studios. The production gave the band new horizons to their music, if not for the use of the Echoplex effects on the drums which added width to the production. Following the first release Na Cambança, the Festival album stands as a tribute to that large Cuban event from 1978. On the 10-minute title-track, Super Mama Djombo despises imperialism of any kind. It praises Amilcar Cabral and Che Guevara while keeping the beat alive with an almost spacey echo. In the same vein, "Sociedade de malandros" condemns nepotism and a "thieves' society." Made from the same mould, "Mortos nega" showcases the collective talents of the orchestra and its exceptional players. Keeping an infectious beat, the hypnotic "Tamanco" is another winner. More laid back, "Alma beafada" displays the softer side of the orchestra, showcasing the vocal talents of Chico Karuca, backed by a strong sense of collectiveness. Super Mama Djombo's saudade is highlighted on "Julia," written by guitar player Miguelinho. Tundu's eerie playing, dreamy electric guitars, hints of a frail tape loop echo and Miguelinho's mellow singing, let alone the haunting melody, make this song one the band's masterpieces. Three more albums would follow before the demise of the band in the early 1980s, due to lack of political support. The new military power in Bissau deposed president Luis Cabral, who was a strong advocate of the orchestra. Now reunited, Super Mama Djombo make up for the lost time and stand as one of West Africa's greatest orchestras. Listening to Festival is truly the best way to enjoy the music of Guiné-Bissau's musical heroes. This deluxe collector's edition comes with a heavy tip-on sleeve and is pressed on 180 gram vinyl. Limited to 500 copies.