In case you haven't heard it from Lord Jamar recently, the roots of just about all Western music lies somewhere in Africa. That being said, listening to music produced by contemporary African performers can be an exciting shift from what you hear on typical Western radio. THAT being said, when the two sides combine, you get a musical supernova of sorts. Africa Express's forthcoming album Maison Des Jeunes promises to live up to our obviously excited description.
Damon Albarn, frontman for bands such as Blue and The Gorillaz, founded Africa Express as a way to combine the talents of Western musicians with those in Africa. Albarn, along with other big names including Brian Eno and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner, travelled to Mali during October to perform with and produce the local sound. Maison Des Jeunes ("House of The Young") was named after the youth center where the music was recorded.
The album will be available for digital download on December 9, and physical formats will become available in 2014. Check below for the full tracklist, along with production credits.
01) "Fantainfalla Toyi Bolo" by Adama Koita (Produced by Two Inch Punch)
02) "Soubour" by Songhoy Blues (Produced by Nick Zinner & Remi Kabaka)
03) "Season Change" by Ghostpoet feat. Doucoura (Produced by Two Inch Punch & Damon Albarn)
04) "Dougoudé Sarrafo" by Bijou (Produced by Damon Albarn)
05) "Bouramsy" by Lil Silva (Produced by Lil Silva)
06) "Rapou Kanou" by Talbi (Produced by Two Inch Punch)
07) "Yamore" by Gambari ft. Kankou Kouyaté (Produced by Damon Albarn)
08) "Chanson Denko Tapestry" by Yacouba Sissoko Band (Produced by Brian Eno)
09) "Deni Kelen Be Koko" by Lobi Traoré Band (Produced by David Maclean)
10) "Farafina" by Moussa Traoré (Produced by Damon Albarn)
11) "Latégué" by Tiemoko Sogodogo (Produced by Brian Eno)
