Like Kiné Lam and Daro Mbaye, Ndeye Mbaye is a veteran of the Ensemble Lyrique Traditionel of Senegal's esteemed Daniel Sorano National Theatre, which she directed from 1987 to 1990. Previously she was a member of the National Ballet of Senegal for seven years starting in 1965.
Mbaye's cassette release Kóllëré (SAPROM, early '90s), a Youssou N'Dour production (he appears on one track), amply displays her expansive voice as well as top-flight work by an ensemble that includes Vieux M. Faye on lead guitar and Mbaye Dieye Faye on percussion. "Liiti Liiti" is a traditional song that has been recorded by numerous artists, including Orchestre Baobab (on A Night at Club Baobab, [Oriki 6129372, 2007]), but Ndeye's version is my favorite by far:
Ndeye Mbaye - Liiti Liiti
Ndeye Mbaye - Saxalaat
Ndeye Mbaye - Serigne Fallou
Ndeye Mbaye with Youssou N'Dour - Damel Fall
The limitations of the cassette format just don't do this music justice. The recording quality of Ndeye's cassette Ndaamal Daaru (Génie Musique, early '90s) is even more restricted, nor does the music reach Kóllëré's exalted level, in my opinion. It still features some notable music, though, including these two tracks:
Ndeye Mbaye - Nelson Mandela
Ndeye Mbaye - Aduna Ack Lici Biram
Hi Likembe
ReplyDeleteSorry to do this in comments, but I can't find an email direct to you.
Thought this might be right up your street. A new Fansite just set up to celebrate the release of Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-76 on Soundway Records.
www.nigeriaspecial.info - Try it out for widgets galore all on Nigerian groove!
Cheers and you have a truly remarkable blog?
Timjim (Fansite creator)
PS. There's a full length track online at
http://www.soundwayrecords.com /ekosound/celestine%20ukwu /track1.mp3
bigup for the diva series... i am mesmerized by the voices... love and light for the world full of hate and darkness. thank you.
ReplyDeletethanks likembe, I'm dying for part 5. Why not pay tribute to dial mbaye, she's another great senegalese diva.
ReplyDeleteLike we say in senegal, diarama likembe
Anon:
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do a tribute to Dial Mbaye. Unfortunately I don't know a whole lot about her, although I have 3 of her cassettes. If you could fill me in, my email is beadlejp at yahoo dot com.
I got you buddy
ReplyDelete