S q u e e z y t u n e s

More Funana

The funana hits just keep coming. I think this is the most vibrant scene featuring the accordion around today.

Juju Accordion with I.K. Dairo

Juju is a style of Nigerian popular music derived from traditional Yoruba percussion. I.K. Dairo was a notable juju musician who also happened to play accordion.

Here is a typical song.

And here is an amazing piece of film of Mr Dairo playing live, and also conducting affairs at his church. This is quite a find.

The Introduction of Accordions to Congo

This is a re-enactment of an important moment in the history of the accordion in Africa. The Belgian Congo was the scene of many crimes against humanity. It seems that to appease the populace the rulers distributed accordions to the local chiefs. The accordion became very popular in Congo until the 1950s when the guitar took over.

Thanks to Bruce of the Accordion Noir radio show who put me on to this.

One of the early stars of Congo music before the great big bands took over, was the accordion player Camille Feruzi. This track is from the essential Golden Afrique Vol 2 double CD set on Network Records.

Camille Feruzi - Kahagwe

Mpongo Love

Music from Congo is generally guitar based, but this track by Mpongo Love features the piano heavily and is quite brilliant. Oh, by the way the track is over 9mins long and there's a piano solo at about 5.15

Mpongo Love - Ndaya

Accordions in Guinea

Here's a first on Squeezytunes - accordion music from Guinea. I think this is Amadou Barry who hit the charts of Guinea back in 1994 with this type of music. If anyone out there has any better quality recordings of Amadou then please let me know, I'd love to hear it.