Senegal

Teranga is the Senegalese national phrase that means to share. It means much more than simply sharing with others. It indicates the Senegalese people’s innate nature to share & enjoy their lives together. This is both on the small & large scale. On the large scale, everyone shares food, shelter, clothing, or work with their neighbors in need, be they Muslim or Christian. On the small scale, if you buy a snack, no matter how small, you always offer it to those around you. Generally, they will refuse, but the mere act of wanting to share symbolizes Teranga. It is about the desire to have others benefit from your good fortune. Therefore we will justly begin with le Teranga Band.

Ousmane Diallo, known musically as Ouza, was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1947. In the 1960s, Ouza left Senegal to study traditional music in the Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), studies which informed both his political & musical message. While much respected by the people of Senegal for his critical approach to the countries politics & society, he is in less favor with the Senegalese government. Ouza's music is politically & socially radical.

He formed his first band in 1965. He has recorded around twenty albums & cassettes since 1975. He has been playing with various female vocal bands like Les Ouzettes & Les Filles Branchées, he manages several singers, & he heads up the National Ballet & the National Orchestra of Senegal.

His music is influenced by the traditional Senegalese music, mbalax, but also by blues, jazz, & soul. His music careens between laid-back soul & phrenetic rhythms laid on a foundation of pulsating bass cadence, typical of Senegalese music. Until recently, his music was hard to find in the West, but since the 2000s, several compilation albums featuring selections from his past work have been released.

On Wethe, le Teranga International Band are: Ousmane ‘Ouza’ Diallo – lead vocals; Cheikhna Ndiaye – lead guitar; Djiby Koute – rhythm guitar; Max Ndiaye – bass; Habib Kouyate – percussion; Amary Mbaye – tama; Boy Ray – tumba; Fajardo Gueye – alto saxophone; Ousmane Sylla – trumpet; with Max Diakhate & Mareme Ndoye – backing vocals.

 Ouza et le Teranga International Band – Wethe (Solitude), 

Productions Jambaar PJ – JM5002, 1980. 

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Side A –

Bayina Music
Wethe

Sama Gueleme/Magana

Side B –
Dootou Mala Bayi

Terango

Senegal 80

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Alioune Mbaye Nder was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1969. He is a Senegalese singer. Nder takes his name from the n'der, the drum favoured by his griot father. As a young man Alioune was a dancer & percussionist.

He began his singing career in 1991 with the group Lemzo Diamono, Lamine Faye’s break-off group from the hugely popular Omar Pene’s Super Diamono. In 1993, Nder became Lemzo Diamono's lead vocalist. The band earned a large following over the next few years. In 1995 Nder left Lemzo Diamano to form his own band, Le Setsima Group.

Nder, whose music until very recently was mostly available only on cassette, is regarded in Senegal as a modern day griot. He is one of the star performers of the new Boul Falé generation that came into existence with Youssou N'Dour & Baaba Maal. Alioune is known in Senegal as ‘the Prince of mbalax”. Some of his fans have crowned him ‘the King of mbalax’.

Mbalax is that genre of African popular music which developed in Senegal & the Gambia. It evolved from the traditional rhythms of the Wolof people. It then absorbed a Cuban influence, & later, Western pop, funk, & Jamaican reggae influences. It incorporates traditional percussion instruments. It is sung in Wolof as well as French & occasionally English. To this has been added modern electric instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, synthesizer, drum set, & typically, a brass section. It was popularized by Senegalese pop star Youssou N'Dour.

On Aladji, le Setsima Group are: Alioune Mbaye Nder - lead vocals; Malick Diaw – guitar; Ibou Tall & Elou Fall – keyboards; Saliou Ba –bass; Ibou Konaté & Mor Sarr – various brass; Talla Seck & Lamine Touré – percussion; Bassirou Mbaye – drums; with Aïcha Koné & Mbene Seck - backing vocals.

Alioune Mbaye Nder& le Setsima Group - Aladji (cassette), KSF, 1998.

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Side A –

Serigne Mansour

Aladji

Nguem

Side B-

Thiaat

Tivaoune

Drogue

Enjoy my balax,

NØ