PLANETMAN, AFRICAN DRUMMING AND LONDON'S CLUB CALLED PASSING CLOUDS

Flyer of this weekend's gig at Passing Clouds...

I was meeting a Jamaican friend who goes to Ethiopia and Tanzania regularly. He loves Africa which by itself is a pleasure. You know why? There is a feeling amongst us Africans that blacks from these parts of the world are not so keen on the motherland. We sold them as slaves to the whites and secondly, they have already settled here and do not need the continent any more.
 Is that correct?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA_zO5b_SdE&feature=relmfu

Idriss K Traore, takes a brief Solo during a jam with Planetman's Band- video by F Macha

In the 1970’s when I was a teenager the motto was Black is beautiful and Africa is the motherland. Seeing African Americans on our East Africa streets created rainbow feelings.  They loved Africa, kissed airport tarmacs upon arrival.  We in turn tried copied and emulated their Afro hairstyles, walking gaits and clothes while they took Swahili and African names.

I used to have a friend who spoke English with a perfect African American accent; which was then considered high status -the epitome of black fashion.

It was all part of the mutual attraction. Started by Marcus Garvey, the legendary Jamaican journalist, ("the black Karl Marx"), at beginning of 20^th century – back to Africa movement (repatriation) was as glorious as it is the idea of Kwenda Majuu – these days. Marcus Garvey played a big role in the consciousness of ex-slaves. He pioneered Pan Africanism and the image of our continent as a special place; unfortunately not many of us are aware of this man’s contribution.  He died in London in 1940. Most of past and present black leaders have been influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey (pictured below, courtesy of Wikipedia ).

In the last 30 years Africa has developed a dual image.

<--more--!>

30 YEARS AFTER BOB MARLEY DEATH : LESSONS OF A HARD-WORKER...

 Two weeks ago I argued in this column that individuals are shaped by their circumstances. That personalities (like recently killed Bin Laden) do not rise out of dust, religion or dollars but from real conditions. The gnawing problem of Palestine sits at the heart of an unresolved issue that has for over sixty years produced anger, frustration plus bloodshed in an unending Middle East crisis with its nemesis: global religious terrorism.

Yes, history is shaped by individuals and their surroundings.

And so we must look at the music of Bob Marley.

Bob Marley...

Exactly thirty years have passed since the charismatic songwriter died of cancer. He would have been 66 years old today and probably performing like fellow Jamaicans Jimmy Cliff, Toots and The Maytals and his former band mate, Bunny Wailer; all still musically active.

I remember May 11^th 1981 very well.

The day was misty and slightly wet in Dar es Salaam....

MUSICIAN REMMY ONGALA - Obituaries in English and Swahili

FOUR PHASES IN THE LIFE OF REMMY ONGALA AND RECALLING HIS LAST GIG IN LONDON

I would like to divide the life of excellent musician Remmy Ongala who died on Sunday night into four phases. First, his early years growing and entertaining in Kivu, Eastern Zaire where he was born on February 10^th, 1947. Those grounding years included playing guitar, kit drums and saxophone. This passion for music was pushed by sadness. Both parents died when he was quite young; his father, Etiennes Kalimangonga was a percussion player while his charismatic mother, Aziza Moza Mayokei passed away in 1964 leaving the lonely boy heart broken in standard five.

The late genius musician, Rama  Zani Mtoro Ongala, was a man of incredible lyrical skill...