Guelewar Band of Banjul has been further developing the afro-manding sound of
Ifang Bondi during a short period in the late 1970s and early 1980s. With strong percussion, a
psychedelic tinge, prominent keyboards and saxophones, Guelewar's music is an "Aha-Erlebnis", but surprisingly
enough, not a single album has ever been reissued on CD, whereas their LPs are sometimes offered at horrendous prices.
Not much is written on the group apparently lead by Laye N'gom since the 1970s. Youssou N'Dour
considers Guelewar as a main inspirational influence, partly because of the use of lyrics in a noble wolof as opposed to
"street" wolof, and partly because Guelewar had resolutely moved forward from latin and highlife.
Lead singer Moussa N'Gom has had a strong imprint on Guelewar's music with his expressive voice.
He later left to join Omar Pene's Super Diamono
before starting a solo career. Moussa also made a cassette with the Ensemble Lyrique Traditionnel du Senegal (1995)
and he has recorded with Thione Seck. His current band is called le Groupe Talibe.
Although none of Orchestre Guelewar's albums have been released on CD thusfar, there are a few songs available on compilations,
such as « Warteef Jiggeen » on the first volume of the
Golden Afrique compilation series,
« Wallou! » on the African Pearls
vol.4: The Teranga Spirit, and « Relen te contan » on the
African Pearls Senegal 70 compilation.
Band members on Sama Yaye Demna N'Darr:
Njok Malick Mike Njie bass;
Oussou Ndiaye drums;
Moussa Njobdi Njie guitar;
Laaye N'Gom keyboards, backing vocals;
Adu Salla percussion;
Alive Badara Cham N'Gom percussion;
Koto Suno Icoto N'Gom percussion;
Bas Lo Fara Biram saxophone [Alto];
Laaye Sallah Ombor saxophone [Tenor];
Moussa N'Gom vocals
Sources:
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~xx3n-di/07-disco/07062.html
http://aduna.free.fr/aduna.blog/blog.htm
Liner notes compilation CD Golden Afrique vol 1
Formed: 1970s
Style: Mbalax, Ndaga, funk
Discography:
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countries/ autres pays)
Or
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Sénégal
Copyright © 1998-2009 Frank Bessem
Page added September 2009
