ARTIST: various artists
TITLE: Two Niles To Sing A Melody: The Violins And Synths Of Sudan
LABEL: Ostinato
Once upon a time, there was a golden age of pop music in Sudan. It was the years between 1969, when Gafaar Nimeiry came to power, and 1983, when Nimeiry’s government swung from socialism to Islamism and imposed Sharia law, which essentially made music illegal. In those brief 15 years, Sudanese music had a heyday in its home country, across the horn of Africa and from Mauritania to Cameroon. These 16 tracks spread across three LPs or two CDs, plus an indispensable booklet, tell the musical story of Sudan’s capital Khartoum during the golden age. Sudanese music is deeply influenced by that of its larger neighbor Egypt (it’s sometimes called “Haqiba music,” named for the suitcase in which recordings would be carried from Cairo to Khartoum), complete with similar lush string arrangements and accordion. But its rhythms are its own, gritty and funky and far more African than Arab. The result is some of the most soulful dance music you’ll ever hear. This collection is an outstanding contribution to our understanding of this criminally underappreciated era. For sure, one of the finest world music compilations of the year.
TOP TRACKS: 3 5 6 7 8 9 12 13
ALSO RECOMMENDED: 1 2 4 10 11 14 15 16
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