Biography
Bringing elite Latin players stationed in New York together with African vocalists, Africando forms a cross-cultural project. Yoruba, Wolof, Mandigo and French lyrics ride over rhythms that merge classic mambo, Cuban son and Mandigo traditions into an intensely energetic dance blend. Producers Ibrahima Sylba and Boncana Maiga first assembled the collective. Its opening release, the 1993 album Trovodor, presented vocals by the West Senegalese singers Pape Seck, Medoune Diallo and Nicolas Manheim. Although Seck died soon after the record appeared, the group kept expanding. On the follow-up, Tierra Tradicional from 1995, vocal parts were shared by Tabu Ley Rochereau of Zaire, Bambino Diabete of Guinea, Gnonnas Pedro of Benin and returning member Diallo. Roger Eugene of Tabou Combo made a guest appearance on the third album, Gombo Salsa, issued in 1997. The fourth effort, Balboa from 1998, centered on Cuba’s pre-World War II sexteto tipico music. The lineup includes Hector Zarzuela on horns, Chino and Pablo Nunezon on timbales, Dave Rimelis on fiddle, Pape Pepin on conga, and Hector "Bamberiot" Zarzuela and Ite Herez on trumpets. Mandali arrived in fall 2000.
Albums
