Thursday, December 9, 2021

VA - Sweet As Broken Dates, Lost Somali Tapes From The Horn Of Africa [2017]

 

LOST SOMALI TAPES

VA - Sweet As Broken Dates, Lost Somali Tapes From The Horn Of Africa [2017]

 In 1988, on the eve of a two decade civil war, Somalia's authoritarian ruler Siad Barre launched punishing air strikes on the north of the country, known today as Somaliland, in response to agitations for independence. The bombing leveled the entire city. Barre targeted Radio Hargeisa to prevent any kind of central communication system that could organize a resistance. With the attack imminent, a few brave radio operators and dedicated vanguards of Somali culture knew the archives, containing over half a century of Somali music had to be preserved. Thousands upon thousands of cassette tapes and master reels were quickly removed from the soon-to-be targeted buildings. They were dispersed to neighboring countries like Djibouti and Ethiopia, and buried deep under the ground to withstand even the most powerful airstrikes. These audio artifacts were excavated and recalled from their foreign shelters only very recently. Some of those recordings are now kept safe in the 10,000-strong cassette tape archive of the Red Sea Foundation, the largest collection of Somali cassettes in the world, in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa. This music was never made available for mass release. Almost all recorded material came from original masters or homemade recordings of radio broadcasts. As a result, most of it has never been heard outside Somalia and the immediate region.

So, what does this stuff sound like? Think of a more subtle Afro-pop with lots of wheezy organ riffs propelling the sounds. There are also some very upbeat tracks with strong grooves that will get you up and out of your seat. This album is truly magic and contain some amazing music, the world are in debt to the persons who saved this treasure from destruction. (Amazon)

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Track lists


01 Nimco Jamaac Buuraha U Dheer (The Highest Mountains) 5:49

02 Aamina Camaari Rag Waa Nacab Iyo Nasteexo (Men Are Cruel And Kind) 6:00

03 Ali Nuur Unknown 5:21

04 Hibo Nuura Haddii Hoobalkii Gabay (If the Artist Let's You Down) 4:32

05 Gacaltooyo Band feat. Faduumina Hilowle Ninkaan Ogayn (He Who Does Not Know) 4:07

06 Iftiin Band feat. Mahmud Abdalla Jerry Hussen & Maryan Naasir Xuduud Ma Leh Xubigaan (This Love Has No Boundaries) 7:13

07 Xasan Diiriye Qaraami (Love) 6:42

08 Dur Dur Band feat. Sahra Dawo Gorof (Elixir) 5:40

09 Sharaf Band feat. Xaawo Hiiraa Kadeed Badanaa Naftaydani (My Life is Full of Tribulations) 5:31

10 4 Mars Na Daadihi (Guide Us) 4:33

11 Danan Hargeysa feat. Mohamed Huro Abdihashi Uur Hooyo (Mother's Womb) 6:08

12 Sharero Band feat. Faadumo Qaasim Qays iyo Layla (Romeo & Juliet 3:45

13 Waaberi Band Oktoobar Waatee- Waa Taayadii (What's October- It's Ours) 4:43

14 Dur Dur Band feat. Muqtar Idi Ramadan Duruuf Maa Laygu Diidee (Rejected Due to My Circumstance) 4:22

15 Iftiin Band feat. Mahmud Abdalla Jerry Hussen Anna Qaylodhaanta 5:23

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2 comments:

  1. "Some of those recordings are now kept safe in the 10,000-strong cassette tape archive of the Red Sea Foundation, the largest collection of Somali cassettes in the world, in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa."

    I hope they are safe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stephen,
      This is a beautiful and rewarding thought.

      Cheers.

      Delete