April 21 – 25 2011

Afro Mandinko will be travelling to Canberra this Easter for a fantastic show at the National Folk Festival this weekend.

For more information: http://www.folkfestival.asn.au

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Afro Mandinko @ Nite Cat

Every Saturday night in June 2010

Afro Mandinko, one of Melbourne’s most exciting and dynamic live world acts is back to entertain every Saturday night in June at the City and Fitzroy Nite Cat.

Sat 5th & 12th June: Nite Cat City – 279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Sat 19th & 26th June: Nite Cat Fitzroy – 141 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

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ONE AFRICA – Mandinka Sound Australian Tour

With Muhanamwe

One Africa features two of Melbourne’s most celebrated West African performers, King Marong and Lamine Sonko. A subtle fusion of traditional West African culture and contemporary Australian influences, One Africa creates a hypnotically soulful repertoire of original songs.

Having already played at several major national and international music festivals including Bellingen Global Carnival, Reggaetown, Moomba, Blue Mountains Music Festival and Malaka Festival Malaysia the ensemble will be on the Kultour National Touring program playing at a number of the countries much loved festivals.

Touring Dates:

NSW/ACT

24 July – Wagga Wagga Civic Centre
27 & 28 July – The Street Theatre, Canberra
30 July – Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford
13 August – Lismore City Hall

QLD

1 August – Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre
3 August – Mount Isa Civic Centre
5 August – Cairns Civic Theatre
7 August – Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane
8 August – The Events Centre, Caloundra
10 & 11 – Workshops at BEMAC, Brisbane
17 & 18 – BEMAC workshops – Logan & Toowoomba

NT

21 August – The Amphitheatre Intimate, Darwin Festival
22 August – St. Paul’s Anglican Church
24 August – Katherine High School
25 & 26 August – Binjari & Kalano Aboriginal Community, Katherine
28 August – Winanjikari Music Centre, Tennant Creek
29 August – Nyinnka Nyunyu Cultural Centre, Tennant Creek

WA

2 September – Camel Lane Theatre, Carnarvon
4 September – Don Russell Arts Centre, Thornlie
6 September – Shire of Moora Performing Arts Centre
9 September – Esperance Civic Centre
11 September – KULCHA Multicultural Arts, Fremantle
14 September – Arts Margaret River

Mandinka Sound is a kultour event produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria.

This tour is supported by Kultour: touring multicultural arts, changing Australian culture – a proud initiative of the Australia Council for the Arts.

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Bec Matthews – ‘Utopia’ EP launch

with band  The Kora Collective (Pin Rada, King Marong, Richie Brain, Martin Tucker)
plus special guests Aminata Doumbia, John Gray, Richard Piper and Ajak Kwai

7.30pm, Wed 7th April
The Toff in Town
2/252 Swanston St
Melbourne

Buy Tickets from moshtix, click here

‘Utopia’ is the debut release from Melbourne based singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bec Matthews. Inspired by her extensive studies, travels and performances around the globe Bec has recorded a selection of original songs.

Following their debut as part of the Arts Centres ‘Mix It Up’ Program supporting Malian kora great Toumani Diabate, the Kora Collective return for an intimate evening of textural improvisation, original songs and music from afar.

Featuring the rare talents of globally inspired multi-instrumentalists Bec Matthews (kora, Kamelngoni),  Pin Rada (sarangi, lyra), King Marong (percussion), Richie Brain (guitars) Martin Tucker (flute, bolong) and vocalist Aminata Doumbia, the ensemble are sure to captivate with a selection of lush soundscapes, contemporary beats, and other worldly charm.

http://www.myspace.com/becmatthewskora
www.triplejunearthed.com/BecMatthews
ABC Interview, click here

www.afromandinko.com

The CD features the drumming and vocals of King Marong and Mbackeh Darboe.

Click to buy this CD

TRACK LISTING AND LINER NOTES:

Track	Play sample	Notes
1. Saatewo Musso		‘Where I was standing my tears fell.’ To the people of the world, I come to advise you with peace and love, respect human rights.
2. Dawda Sanneh		Is a great Mandinka drummer. A traditional song of Mandinka proverb. Where the people of a village sing for Dawda Sanneh to play his drum so they can dance. ‘The Dragon has horns but he will not pierce you. So play your drum so we can dance’.
3. Badileh		Traditional Mandinka song, advising no need to push and fight for what you want. The universe will provide.
4. Gari Yo Fulani song		‘Good day Mother, Good day Father, we are all different, but all unite as one.’
5. Dimbah Nafar		Traditional Mandinka song Arriving into a village, finding no fires or smells of the women cooking, no people as everything is deserted after fighting. ‘We understand the use of fire. Where are our mothers? They have all disappeared because people are killing each other.’
6. Gambia		A song welcoming the people to my home Gambia. The smiling coast of West Africa. Where peace and love will greet you.
7. Na Leng Wo		The name of a young woman. The song about her love. ‘Na leng wo’ the love is in you, let it guide you on your road. I don’t intend you to be in haste to get what is yours waiting.’
8. Mali Sarjo		Traditional Mandinka song A story from Mali Barfula of a legendary great being who could change his appearance. Whilst in the water he was a great hippopotamus, when on the land he changed into a man. He was very cunning and also able to disperse magical wealth. His love for a beautiful girl whom he bribed with his riches for her love and to keep his secret. Ultimately it turned against him and destroyed him.
9. Djembe Sarav		Sound of the Djembe A selection of djembe rhythms combined. Also incorporating a West African women’s dance rhythm.

Click to buy this CD

The CD is also available at any of Bantaba Binde’s gigs. Check out Adelaide street press for gig details.

CD INFO:

Ebrima King Marong inspirational percussionist and Mbakeh Darboe, dancer and singer are of Mandinka culture from Gambia, West Africa. They are highly respected musical ambassadors of their rich cultural tradition. Specialising in the vibrant rhythms, songs and dances of Afro Manding, Wolof and Jola traditions. Mbakeh was born in an up country village Janyari, inheriting his musical style, pulsating dance and songs from his Griot family. Ebrima King was born in Wasulung Kunda, Bakau an active coastal town. He is a natural player and his taste, inspiration and knowledge was guided by Griot Jali Nyama Suso and people of the coastal town.

King is an outstanding percussionist, being a master of djembe and sabar ensembles as well as a powerful melodic singer. Together for many years Ebrima King and Mbakeh performed with top Gambian group \’Roots Kunta Kinteh\’, a contemporary Afro Manding cultural band. They regularly appeared on radio, television and performed at national music events. Also a much loved favourite at community celebrations.

Ebrima King Marong and Mbakeh Darboe have united in Australia where they continue to create, share and promote Afro Manding cultural sounds forming the hand ‘Bantaba Binde’ (‘the meeting place’ in Mandinka). They have composed a magical, dynamic array of rhythmic songs. Mbakeh’s singing and passionate lyrics combined with Ebrima King’s powerful percussive melodic rhythms form the backbone of this pulsating and vibrant music. Using traditional instruments the djembe, bass drum and doudounba blended with improvised sounds using saxophone, lead guitar and bass guitar. They have created a sound that absolutely captivates the hearts and souls of people.

MUSICIANS:

• Ebrima King Marong: Lead djembe, vocals
• Mbakeh Darboe: Vocals, shakers
• Phil Jones: Doudounba
• Suzy Hall: Bass drum
• Josh Sutton: Saxaphone
• Andre Costa: Lead guitar
• Dig Jamin : Bass guitar