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Guinean videos
 
Farba Tela Kouyaté Sory Kandia Kouyaté Sory Kandia - Touyendé Kouyaté Sory Kandia - P.D.G.
Farba Tela, real name Oumar Seck, was perhaps the most popular Fulbé musician in West Africa. Ali Farka Touré was a big fan, and the two musicians share an intensity, presence and musical style.

Many have been looking for Sory Kandia videos for years. See them here first on Radio Africa.

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 		 Absolutely superb. Shivers, tears, joy... all for Sory Kandia.

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 The opus to Guinea's political party of the Sékou Touré era.

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Fodé Conté - 1 Fodé Conté - 2 Fodé Conté - 3 Bembeya Jazz National - Petit Sékou
     
Fodé Conté was one of Guinea's most popular stars in the 1960s and 1970s. He performed with Les Ballet Africains and Ballet Djoliba before leaving Guinea due to his differences with Sékou Touré. He was in exile in Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire, returning to Guinea only after Touré had died. Fodé Conté passed away in August 2008. Their classic instrumental, recorded in 1979.

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Bembeya Jazz National - N'gnamakoro  Bembeya Jazz National - Tama tama Keletigui et ses Tambourinis - Live at La Pailottte 2013 Keletigui et ses Tambourinis - Live at La Pailottte 2013 #2
   
Fronted by the "trio bazooka" of Salifou Kaba, Moussa Touré and Mory Kouyaté, performing one of their hits from the Parade Africaine LP.

[video removed from YouTube]		 An unreleased-on-vinyl track, recorded in 1979. Sung in Maninka, the title translates as "Travelling far", and is a message to Guineans living abroad "not to forget the fatherland".

 

At the end of my project to archive the music held at the RTG the Ministry of Culture put on a ceremony at La Paillote. Pictured, in the first few seconds, is Lamine Camara, chef d’orchestre, Horoya Band National, and Sékou “Le grow” Camara, former trumpeter of Bembeya Jazz National. Linké Condé is the chef d’orchestre and is on lead guitar, though there are some unfortunate audio issues with his guitar cable later in the song. Papa Kouyaté is on congas.

In this song Papa Kouyaté takes a solo on the congas, but was denied a 2nd solo!, while Chuck Berry danced for the occasion. After 40 years the orchestra continues to perform today.
Syli Orchestre National - O.U.A. Syli Orchestre National - Sara Keletigui et ses Tambourinis - Tèmèdi Keletigui et ses Tambourinis - Wassolon
Guinea's premier national orchestra performing at the 1st Pan-African Cultural Festival held in Algiers in 1969. The musicians in the video are (from left to right) Mohammed Achken Kaba - trumpet (Bembeya Jazz); Mamadou Niaissa - trumpet (Super Boiro Band); Sékou "Le Growl" Camara - trumpet (Bembeya Jazz); Siaka Diabaté - congas (Bembeya Jazz); Mory Mangala - drums (Bembeya Jazz); Pivi Moriba - trombone (Balla et ses Balladins); Fodé Ndiaye Soumah - tenor sax (Bembeya Jazz); Momo Wandel Soumah - alto sax (Kakilambé Jazz, Keletigui et ses Tambourinis); Kélétigui Traoré (chef d'orchestre, in white jacket) - tenor sax (Keletigui et ses Tambourinis); Demba Camara - vocals (Bembeya Jazz); Sékou "Diamond Fingers" Diabaté - lead guitar (Bembeya Jazz); Kemo Kouyaté - rhythm guitar (Balla et ses Balladins, Quintette Guinéenne); Famoro Kouyaté - bass guitar (Balla et ses Balladins, Quintette Guinéenne). Absolutely my favourite of the Guinean clips.

Chuck Berry (vocals, left), Babadian Kaba (vocals, centre), Ange Miguel Zephirin (vocals, right), Kerfala Camara (trumpet, left), Talibé Traoré (trumpet, right), Linké Condé (lead guitar, on left), Kandé Sylla (rhythm guitar, left), Sékou Keleti Condé (rhythm guitar, right), Djely Moussa Kouyaté (bass), Keletigui Traoré (tenor sax), Bigné Doumbia (alto sax), Momo Wandel Soumah (alto sax), Benjamin Diawara (congas), and Sourakata Camara (drums).

Chuck Berry died in 2014. Linké Condé and Petit Keletigui Kourouma (who left the group in 1964) are the only two original members still alive. Talibé was a good friend, killed in 2010 on his motorcycle at 1am by a taxi driver. The three dancers have also passed away. Rest in peace.

 As awesome as Tèmèdi, this song builds to a crescendo of brass led by Keletigui soloing on tenor sax. Absolutely top class. This is why Guinean music was at the forefront of African music for a generation.
Keletigui et ses Tambourinis - Leïba Binta Laaly Saran - 1 Binta Laaly Saran - 2 Binta Laaly Saran - 3
This video features a solo by Linké Condé, the group's chef d'orchestre after Keletigui Traoré. Unfortunately the video tape breaks just before the end.   Binta Laaly Saran, not to be confused with Binta Laaly Sow, is a Fulbé singer from Guinea's Fouta Djallon region. He recorded extensively for the RTG in the 1980s and 1990s.
Binta Laaly Saran - 4 Binta Laaly Saran - 5 Binta Laaly Saran - 6  Ensemble Instrumental National - 1
 
Binta Laaly Saran, not to be confused with Binta Laaly Sow, is a Fulbé singer from Guinea's Fouta Djallon region. He recorded extensively for the RTG in the 1980s and 1990s. Virtuosic perfomances by Guinea's premier troupe.
Ensemble Instrumental National - 2 Ensemble Instrumental National - 3 Ensemble Instrumental National - 4 Ensemble Instrumental National - 5 - Alalaké
     
Virtuosic perfomances by Guinea's premier troupe.
Ensemble Instrumental National - 6 Ensemble Instrumental National - 7 Ensemble Instrumental National - 8 Ensemble Instrumental National - 9
Virtuosic perfomances by Guinea's premier troupe.
Ensemble Instrumental National - 10 Ensemble Instrumental National - 11 Ensemble Instrumental National - 12 Ensemble Instrumental National - 13
Virtuosic perfomances by Guinea's premier troupe.
Ensemble Instrumental National - 14 Ensemble Instrumental National - 15 Ensemble Instrumental National - 16 Kadé Diawara et
l'Ensemble Instrumental National - 1
 
Virtuosic perfomances by Guinea's premier troupe. A powerful perfomance by Guinea's premier troupe, led by Kadé Diawara. One of the best videos here.
Kadé Diawara et l'Ensemble Instrumental National - 2 -
Armée Guinéenne		 Kadé Diawara
et l'Ensemble Instrumental National - 3		 Kadé Diawara - 1 Kadé Diawara - 2 - Nanfoulé
Amazing! The Ensemble Instrumental National were the original composers of "Armée Guinéenne", which Bembeya Jazz later made famous. Encroyable! An all-female version of the Ensemble performs on Mandé instruments long regarded as the sole domain of men. Kadé Diawara was known as "The Manding Archangel". She was the lead singer of the Ensemble Instrumental National and made one LP for Syliphone. In these videos she is accompanied by kora and acoustic guitar.
Kadé Diawara - 3 Kadé Diawara - 4 Kaloum Star - 1 Kaloum Star - 2
Kadé Diawara was known as "The Manding Archangel". She was the lead singer of the Ensemble Instrumental National and made one LP for Syliphone. In these videos she is accompanied by kora and acoustic guitar. A video from the 1990s. Kaloum Star were the Federal Orchestra of Conakry I, which is in the heart of downtown Conakry. They released several singles on Syliphone. Maitre Barry, on tenor sax, was the chef d'orchestre, and he continues to play in Conakry's clubs.
Kaloum Star - 3 Kaloum Star - 4 Kaloum Star - in concert - 1 Kaloum Star - in concert - 2
Kaloum Star were the Federal Orchestra of Conakry I, which is in the heart of downtown Conakry. They released several singles on Syliphone. Maitre Barry, on tenor sax, was the chef d'orchestre, and he continues to play in Conakry's clubs. At the Palais de Peuple.
Kaloum Star - in concert - 3 Kaloum Star - in concert - 4 Kaloum Star - in concert - 5 Kaloum Star - in concert - 6
At the Palais de Peuple.
Kaloum Star - in concert - 7  Sanankoro Sofa - 1 Sanankoro Sofa - 2 Sanankoro Sofa - 3
   
At the Palais de Peuple. Sanankoro Sofa, the Federal Orchestra of Kérouané, recorded in circa 1980.  
Sanankoro Sofa - 4 Sanankoro Sofa - 1 Sanankoro Sofa - 2 Sanankoro Sofa - 3
   
Sanankoro Sofa, the Federal Orchestra of Kérouané, recorded in circa 1980.   Sanankoro Sofa, the Federal Orchestra of Kérouané, recorded in circa 1983. 
Super Kolima Jazz - 1 Super Kolima Jazz - 2 Super Kolima Jazz - 3 Super Kolima Jazz - 4
       
Super Kolima Jazz, the Federal Orchestra of Labé. The chef d'orchestre was the group's lead guitarist and keyboard player Adboul Gadiry Diallo, seen here in the white suit. 
Super Kolima Jazz - 5 Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Yarabi Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Lannaya Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Minuit
     
Super Kolima Jazz, the Federal Orchestra of Labé. The chef d'orchestre was the group's lead guitarist and keyboard player Adboul Gadiry Diallo. Manfila "Dabadou" Kanté was the lead singer of Keletigui et ses Tambourinis and appears on all of their early Syliphone recordings. These videos are from the early 1990s.  
Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Toubaka Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Kani baya Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Sou te monebo Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Wouya magnin
       
Manfila "Dabadou" Kanté was the lead singer of Keletigui et ses Tambourinis and appears on all of their early Syliphone recordings. These videos are from the early 1990s. 
Manfila Dabadou Kanté - Nanfoulé Super Boiro Band - 1 Super Boiro Band - 2 Super Boiro Band - 3
       
Manfila "Dabadou" Kanté was the lead singer of Keletigui et ses Tambourinis and appears on all of their early Syliphone recordings. These videos are from the early 1990s.  Guinea's first orchestra of the independence era was l'Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine, who were split into two formations in the early 1960s. The 1ère formation were nationalised and were renamed the Super Boiro Band, led by Mamadou Niaissa on trumpet.
Super Boiro Band - 4 Super Boiro Band - 5 - Sabougnouma Super Boiro Band - 6 Sorsornet Rythme - 1
     
Guinea's first orchestra of the independence era was l'Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine, who were split into two formations in the early 1960s. The 1ère formation were nationalised and were renamed the Super Boiro Band, led by Mamadou Niaissa on trumpet. Sorsornet Rythme were the Federal Orchestra of Boké. In concert at the Palais de la Peuple.
Sorsornet Rythme - 2 Sorsornet Rythme - 3 - Songo yaya Sorsornet Rythme - 4 Sorsornet Rythme - 5
       
Sorsornet Rythme were the Federal Orchestra of Boké. In concert at the Palais de Peuple. Sorsornet Rythme were the Federal Orchestra of Boké. Here they perform their big hit from the late 1980s, at the Palais de Peuple.  Sorsornet Rythme were the Federal Orchestra of Boké. In concert at the Palais de la Peuple.
Manfila Dabadou Kanté - en playback. Toubaka Camayenne Sofa Camayenne Sofa - 1 Camayenne Sofa - 2
     
Manfila "Dabadou" Kanté was the lead singer of Keletigui et ses Tambourinis and appears on all of their early Syliphone recordings. Here he is performing one of their hits.Here he is performing one of their hits. Camayenne Sofa were the Federal Orchestra of Conakry II, which encompassed the suburb of Camayenne. The chef d'orchestre was Jean Baptiste Williams, on lead guitar. Zézé Guilavogui - pictured.  Youssouf Bah - pictured.  
Camayenne Sofa - 3 Camayenne Sofa - 4 Camayenne Sofa - 5 Camayenne Sofa - 6
       
Mamady Kala Camara - pictured.    Jean Baptiste Williams - on left.  Riad Chaloub - pictured.    
Camayenne Sofa - 7- Zadie bobo Camayenne Sofa - 8 Camayenne Sofa - 9 Camayenne Sofa - 10
       
Mamady Kala Camara - pictured.        
Horoya Band National - live in Conakry Horoya Band National - Djalabati Horoya Band National - Yeleman yeleman soo Horoya Band National - Foudou
The Horoya Band National live at the Palais de la Peuple in Conakry on October 4 2008. All of Guinea's national orchestras performed on that night - Bembeya Jazz, the Tambourinis, the Balladins, & Les Amazones - and the Horoya Band blew them all away… The Horoya Band of Kankan were nationalised by the Guinean government in 1971. Their chef d'orchestre was the tenor sax player Métoura "Papa Paya-Paya" Traoré, pictured in the white shirt. Perhaps not as well known as Guinea's other National Orchestras, the group were nevertheless at the forefront of modern Mandé music for over 20 years. They continue to perform, though as of 2012 are without instruments and seeking a sponsor. They are now led by the group's conga player, Lamine Camara. In the videos it is Lanciné Kanté on vocals and I think Sandaly "Balakala" Kanté on lead guitar, but need this verified.
Les Amazones de Guinée - 1 - N'daren Les Amazones de Guinée - 2 - Bèni son Les Amazones de Guinée - 3 - Bonne année Les Amazones de Guinée - 4
 
Les Amazones de Guinee - Africa's first all-female group A documentary on the group.
Les Amazones de Guinée - Live at La Paillote Les Amazones de Guinée - Live at La Paillote #2 Kerfala Camara - en playback. Marie Manfila Soba Kanté - en playback. Sakoudougou
 
 The Ministry of Culture celebrated the completion of my project to archive the music held at the RTG by organising a concert held at La Paillote. It was awesome! Here is some footage of Les Amazones de Guinée, who were really impressive... Kerfala Camara was the lead singer and trumpet player in Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. Here he reprises one of the group's early hits. Manfila "Soba" Kanté was the lead vocalist in Balla et ses Balladins. Here he performs Sakodougou, the group's classic from 1970.
Folklore Manon - 1 Folklore Manon - 2   Folklore Manon - 3 Folklore Manon - 4
     
   
Folklore Manon - 5 22 Band de Kankan - 1 22 Band de Kankan - 2 22 Band de Kankan - 3
       
  The 22 Band de Kankan were formed in the early 1970s to replace the Horoya Band, who were nationalised in 1971 and were relocated to Conakry. Here they are performing at the Palais de Peuple in the mid 1990s.
Sataboum Jazz - 1 Sataboum Jazz - 2 Miriam Makeba et son Quintette Guinéenne Miriam Makeba in Guinea
     
Sataboum Jazz were the Federal Orchestra of Forécariah. They featured Nabil Awada on flute and harmonica. According to Justiin Morel Jnr, Nabil was crippled at the age of 8 by a misdiagnosis. He was a poplular musician in Guinea.  Amazing concert footage from the Festival National in 1973.  Miriam Makeba lived in Guinea from 1969 to 1986. In this documentary she reminisces about her life there.
Artistes Associes A Fulbé ensemble in Labé Hirde dyama Guinee heute
   
Featuring Papa Kouyaté and Amadou Thiam on congas. The Fouta Djallon is a great place to travel, especially after the rigours of Conakry. Here is a typical Fulbé ensemble from Labé. A 1970 Guinean / East German documentary presentng Guinea's National Cultural Festival. A Syli Cinema co-production. Featuring Bembeya Jazz with Demba Camara - the only colour footage. A 1970 Guinean / East German film documenting Guinea's cultural and economic development. A Syli Cinema co-production. Featuring Kandia Sory Kouyate and Miriam Makeba.