Description

Follow Alune on his musical journey from Dakar, Senegal to New Orleans

Name: Alune Wade - New African Orleans (CD)
SKU: WEEC650462
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (158 reviews)

In his sixth and next album ”New African Orleans,” (enja/yellowbird), bass guitarist and composer Alune Wade explores the diverse connections between his West African rhythms, Lagos Afrobeat, and the immortal brass band repertoire of New Orleans. ”I am delving into world that stretches from my roots to the lost branches on the other side of the Atlantic,” explains the Senegalese musician. He has distilled about 50 compositions–both originals and standards–into a dozen, recorded by Alune in Paris, Dakar, Lagos, and New Orleans. ”The
idea first came to me during the Jazz à Gorée Festival I organized in 2014,” he explains. ”It got
me thinking about reversing the musical journey most people take from the United States to the
African continent. I wanted to head west and engage in a musical dialogue with the finest
artists, both in Nigeria and the USA.” His album features reinterpretations of Herbie Hancock”s
”Watermelon Man,” Jimi Hendrix”s ”Voodoo Child,” and Fela Kuti”s ”Water No Get Enemy,”
as well as original compositions that explore New Orleans sound from Alune”s musical
perspective. The album also features original compositions reflecting the New Orleans sound.
One standout track, ”From Congo to Square,” featuring iconic artists, narrates the journey of
brass band music from its origins in West Africa to its evolution under oppression and violence,
symbolizing the enduring impact of African musical heritage.