HEAR TODAY IT ALL ADDS UP FOR SALIF KEITA.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer Music or science? Genetics decided that career path for West African West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. music icon Salif Keita For the Malian footballer, see . Salif Keita (born August 25, 1949) is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa , a pioneer of the Afropop genre. Born into nobility, Keita really wanted to pursue mathematics. But as an albino albino (ălbī`nō) [Port.,=white], animal or plant lacking normal pigmentation. The absence of pigment is observed in the body covering (skin, hair, and feathers) and in the iris of the eye. -- a sign of bad luck in his native Mali -- Keita couldn't see well enough to study. Lucky for us, music became his calling. On about three dozen albums, Keita's glorious sound adds up to an intoxicating in·tox·i·cate v. in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing, in·tox·i·cates v.tr. 1. To stupefy or excite by the action of a chemical substance such as alcohol. 2. blend of the traditional griot griot African tribal storyteller. The griot's role was to preserve the genealogies and oral traditions of the tribe. Griots were usually among the oldest men. In places where written language is the prerogative of the few, the place of the griot as cultural guardian is still music of his childhood, along with influences from Guinea, the Ivory Coast and Senegal, plus elements from Cuba, Spain and Portugal. With his latest disc, the joyous ``M'Bemba'' (Decca; $16.98), Keita, 57, lives up to his billing as ``the golden voice of Africa.'' Here he's joined by guitarist and arranger Kante Manfila, with whom he worked in Afropop's groundbreaking Les Ambassadeurs, for a delightful, swirling set of worldly pop anybody can appreciate. Keita spoke with us, through an interpreter, from his home in Paris. He appears Aug. 10 for a free Santa Monica Pier The Santa Monica Pier is located at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California and is a prominent landmark. Attractions The pier contains Pacific Park, a family amusement park with a large ferris wheel. concert. Q: Can you talk about the title ``M'Bemba''? A: It means ``grandfather.'' It is an apology to my ancestors for choosing this life of a musician. The career of musician was thought to be a job for tradesmen. In the song, I'm saying that my ancestors' view is out of date. It is no longer relevant. Q: I understand you are helping build a clinic and school for albinos in Mali. A: There is still prejudice and superstition in some parts of Africa. When an albino person comes to a clinic for care, nobody wants to help them. They really suffer exclusion. We have the land, and now we're working on financing. Q: What was the first pop music you fell in love with? A: It was Western pop -- I liked Led Zeppelin and the rock band Scorpions. I loved Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, the American soul singers. Now, living in Paris, you hear everything -- European and American hip-hop and rap, Latin music and all the new African music. I hear it but I still believe in melodies and singing. I love a good tune. Fred Shuster, (818) 713-3676 fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com Here is a sample of other new releases in the stores this week: Kat's back. Sherman Oaks' near-``American Idol'' Katharine McPhee issues a CD single of ``My Destiny''/''Somewhere Over the Rainbow'' (RCA See RCA connector and video/TV history. ; $3.49). The Broadway cast album of ``Tarzan'' (Disney; $18.98) has music and lyrics by Phil Collins. Acoustic-soul chanteuse chan·teuse n. A woman singer, especially a nightclub singer. [French, feminine of chanteur, singer, from chanter, to sing; see chant.] India.Arie returns with ``Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship'' (Universal; $13.98). Dashboard Confessional's Christopher Carrabba brings a new batch of songs about loss and loneliness in ``Dusk and Summer'' (Vagrant VAGRANT. Generally by the word vagrant is understood a person who lives idly without any settled home; but this definition is much enlarged by some statutes, and it includes those who refuse to work, or go about begging. See 1 Wils. R. 331; 5 East, R. 339: 8 T. R. 26. ; $13.98). Julie Roberts delivers tough modern country music with heart on ``Men & Mascara'' (Mercury Nashville; $13.98). ALSO IN STORES ``Superman Returns,'' soundtrack (Rhino/WEA; $18.98) ``Rendezvous in Rio,'' Michael Franks (Koch; $17.98) ``Music for the Divine,'' Glenn Hughes (Frontiers; $21.98) ``That's How They Do It in Dixie: The Essential Collection,'' Hank Williams Jr. (Curb; $18.98) ``Transitions,'' John Digweed (Thrive; $17.98) ``Way Up!'' Wayman Tisdale (Rendezvous; $17.98) ``Nineteeneighties,'' Grant Lee Phillips (Zoe; $17.98) ``Surrounded: Dual Disk Brick,'' Bjork (Rhino/WEA; $129.98) ``Poetica,'' Iio (Made; $16.98) ``House on Hill,'' Brad Mehldau Trio (Nonesuch none·such also non·such n. 1. A person or thing without equal. 2. See black medic. none ; $18.98) CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Salif Keita) (2 -- 3) no caption (CD covers) |
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