How West Africa Went Psychedelic

Check out our sponsor World Music Method here: Malian and West African music has long been intriguing to western rock fans. In particular, the way the region adopted the electric guitar. Often being used to complement traditional rhythms and melodies, the outcome is fuzzy, groovy, psychedelic and brilliant. Zani Diabate and the Super Djata Band has long been my favorite in this genre we could loosely define as “Bamana Psych Funk.“ Their story is part of unique trend of African history; when newly-independent governments were investing in bands, providing them with state-sponsored drum kits, guitar amps and PA systems. It’s a fascinating chapter in history, and even more fascinating is the music it yielded. A huge thank you to Stefan, Mariam and Erich for helping research this video: World Service: Orchestra Gold: Editing by @sedatefobia Thumbnail photo by John Clewey Playlist of songs from this video: 0:00 Super Djata Band - Fadingna Kouma (From “Under African Skies“ Documentary) 1:23 Super Djata Band - Super Djata 1:33 Super Djata Band - Diabaté Zani (live in France) 1:47 Super Biton - Yere Jabo 2:04 Orchestra Gold - Dia ye Banna 4:40 Syli Orchestre National - Sara 5:19 Sory Kandia Kouyaté - PDG 5:58 Bembeya Jazz National - Regard Sur Le Passé Pt 1 6:15 Orchestre de la Paillote - Kadia Blues 6:32 Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis - N’nadia 6:52 Bembeya Jazz - Guantanamera-Seyni 7:12 E.T. Mensah & His Tempos Band - Queens Welcome 7:18 Orchestre OK Jazz - On Entre OK On Sort KO 8:35 Rail Band - Mali Cébalenw 8:45 Rail Band - Mariba Yassah 9:46 Super BIton - Se Se Wa Bena 10:03 Super Biton - Yere Jabo 11:46 Super Djata Band - Diabaté Zani (Live on Mali TV) 12:07 Super Djata Band - Bimogo 12:15 Super Djata Band - Sosso 12:26 Super Djata Band - Tougamagni 12:32 Super Djata Band - Farima 13:52 Bassekou Kouyate - Segu Tonjon 14:26 Super Djata Band - Noumouna Kouloumba 14:36 Super Djata Band - Facia (live in France) 14:53 Franco Luambo - Locataire 15:00 Bembeya Jazz National - Petit Sékou 15:29 Super Djata Band - Super Djata 15:39 Cream - Toad 16:30 Super Djata Band - Diabaté Zani (live in France) 16:42 Super Djata Band - Fongnana Kouma 17:29 Super Djata Band - Super Djata 17:37 Super Djata Band - Fadingna Kouma (studio version) 17:58 Super Djata Band - Facia (studio version) 18:06 Super Djata Band live au Carrefour des Jeunes, Bamako 18:18 Super Djata Band live in Amsterdam 19:29 Zani Diabaté - Ni Zani Mana 20:26 Zani Diabaté & Les Héritiers - Djamaw 21:06 Orchestra Gold - Keleya