Sani, Mamman & Tropikal Camel
Nijerusalem (color)
Pink color vinyl version. Batov Records presents Nijerusalem, a groundbreaking collaboration between Nigerien synth
pioneer Mamman Sani and Berlin-based electronic artist Tropikal Camel. Mamman Sani's electronic organ music, first
recorded in 1978, made him a national hero in Niger, led to him writing the Niger's new national anthem, and has long
been cherished by aficionados for its unique blend of traditional Nigerien melodies and synth experimentation. Mamman's
music embodies a sense of intimacy, echoing the presence of a solo artist in the room with the listener. This album is
the result of a serendipitous meeting at the Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda. Both artists shared a residency and studio
space, which led to long recording sessions together over the course of two weeks, capturing the organic fusion of
Mamman's synth melodies and Tropikal Camel's percussive electronic beats. Despite their divergent backgrounds and ages,
Mamman at 73 and Tropikal Camel at 44, they found equilibrium in their collaborative process. Nijerusalem pays homage to
the warm synth sounds of the '80s while infusing them with an African electronic aesthetic. Mamman's music, rooted in
Nigerien folk traditions, finds new life in this sonic exploration, resonating with authenticity and innovation. Both
Mamman Sani and Tropikal Camel draw from rich and diverse cultural backgrounds, creating a dialogue of cultural exchange
and mutual respect. Mamman's heritage, with roots in the Hausa and Tuareg tribes, intersects with Tropikal Camel's own
North African and Middle Eastern roots and musical interests. In "Fulani UFO", Mamman Sani explores the rich cultural
heritage of the Fulani, a prominent tribe in Niger. Here, Assayag infuses a North African rhythm, incorporating the
gimbri instrument commonly found in Moroccan Gnawa and Tunisian Stambeli music. These ritualistic musical traditions,
brought to North Africa by West African slaves, serve as ecstatic medicine, enriching the sonic landscape of the song. A
tribute to the Songhai people, "Sonray Wedding Song" is inspired by a typical song sung at a river bank wedding. Which
leads listeners neatly to "Venusian Lady", a universal ode to love, bridging cultures and origins, with Mamman's
heartfelt composition, originally recorded as instrumental 50 years ago, marking its debut in a vocal rendition, sung in
both English and Hausa. On Nijerusalem, Mamman Sani and Tropikal Camel's collaboration invite us into their timeless and
intimate, minimalist sound world.
Price
Genre
Format
LP - 1 disk
Release
20-09-2024
Label
Item-nr
1311338
EAN
4062548088977
Availability
Not in stock
Tracks
Title
Artist
1
NOMADIC
2
SULTAN UMNARU'S TRIP
3
TOURAREG SPACESHIP
4
FULANI UFO
5
SONRAY WEDDING SONG
6
VENUSIAN LADY
7
TOIL, SWEAT & SUN
8
NOMADIC (DUB)