The Rail Band is a Malian band formed in 1970; it was later known as Super Rail Band, Bamako Rail Band or, most comprehensively and formally, Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare, Bamako.
Rail Band
Also known as
Super Rail Band
Bamako Rail Band
Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare, Bamako
Rail Band's fame was built upon the mid-20th century craze for Latin — especially Cuban — jazz music which came out of Congo in the 1940s. The Rail Band was one of the first West African acts to combine this mature Afro-Latin sound with traditional instruments and styles. In their case, this was built upon the MandeGriot praise singer tradition, along with Bambara and other Malian and Guinean musical traditions. Their distinctive sound came from combining electric guitar and jazz horns with soaring Mandinka and Bamabara lyrical lines, African and western drums, and local instruments such as the kora and the balafon. At their height of fame in the 1970s, the Rail Band played to sold-out venues and even stadia across West Africa, and launched solo careers for many of its members, including Salif Keita.
Historyedit
The first incarnation of the Rail Band was founded in 1970, sponsored by the Ministry of Information and the railway administration. The Malian government had, since the '60s, been sponsoring cultural events and groups to promote national traditions, the Rail Band was among those programs. The band performed as the house band at the Buffet Bar of the Station Hotel in Bamako, from which it takes its name. Beginning as a Latin Jazz band in the style of Congolese Soukous, it soon began integrating local Manding musical styles and traditions, with vocals in the Bambara language. From early on the band featured electric guitar, electric organ, saxophone, horns, and a western drum kit alongside Mande music using kora, balafon, ngoni, talking drums, Islamic-style, Mande hunter co-fraternity song, and griot praise-singing vocals.
Membersedit
The Rail Band's lead singer in the 1970s was Salif Keita, who left the band to join the rival Super Ambassadeurs, and then follow a successful solo career in 1982.
The group soon became a training ground for many of Mali's most popular performers, such as singer Mory Kanté and guitarist Kante Manfila. Guitarist Djelimady Tounkara has been a member of the band for most of its history. The band, changing personnel many times, continues to perform around the world.
According to the Timbuktu Renaissance initiative, Super Biton is one of "two bands in particular [that] have left an indelible mark on the Malian musical landscape", the other being Rail Band, both "pioneers of the fusion of the traditional sounds and rhythms of Ségou and modern genres.[1]
Discographyedit
Albums
1970 : Sunjata (Bärenreiter-Musicaphon)
1976 : Melodias "Rail Band" du Mali (Kouma)
1976 : Concert "Rail Band" du Mali (Kouma)
1977 : Orchestre du Buffet Hôtel de la Gare de Bamako (HNLX 5179)
1979 : Affair Social (Sacodis LS-25)
1985 : New Dimensions in Rail Culture (Globestyle)
1994 : Super Rail Band de Bamako/ Djougouya Magni (Indigo)
New and Old Music from Rail Band guitarist Djelimady Tounkara. Cora Connection (2002).
African Legends: Super Rail Band. Bruce Miller. globalrhythm.net (November 6, 2006).
Super Rail Band (aka New Dimensions In Rail Culture) Super Rail Band Of The Buffet Hotel De La Gare De Bamako. Review. Chris May, All About Jazz (2006).
. Philip Sweeney. The Independent (London). (4 July 2003).
The Unsinkable Mali Sound; Super Rail Band, Traore Ride a West African Groove. Fernando Gonzalez. The Washington Post - Washington, D.C. July 11, 2001.
Bembeya Jazz v Super Rail Band. Barbican, London. The Guardian, Tuesday 8 July 2003.
Super Band Supreme: The outstanding return of Super Rail Band de Bamako. Bob Tarte. Miami News Times. January 22, 2004.
FROM THE MOTHERLAND: Getting on track with Mali's Super Rail Band. Tom Cheyney. L.A. Weekly. July 25, 2002.
CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; African Music Is Here, And It's Now. BEN RATLIFF. New York Times. July 6, 2001.
WORLD MUSIC REVIEW; All the Variety of Africa, Played at a Genteel Pace. JON PARELES. New York Times. July 16, 2002
April 12, 2024
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This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations November 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Rail Band is a Malian band formed in 1970 it was later known as Super Rail Band Bamako Rail Band or most comprehensively and formally Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare Bamako Rail BandAlso known asSuper Rail BandBamako Rail BandSuper Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare BamakoOriginMaliYears active1970 1970 presentPast membersSalif KeitaDjelimady TounkaraMory Kante deceased Contents 1 Background 2 History 3 Members 4 Recognition 5 Discography 6 See also 7 ReferencesBackground editRail Band s fame was built upon the mid 20th century craze for Latin especially Cuban jazz music which came out of Congo in the 1940s The Rail Band was one of the first West African acts to combine this mature Afro Latin sound with traditional instruments and styles In their case this was built upon the Mande Griot praise singer tradition along with Bambara and other Malian and Guinean musical traditions Their distinctive sound came from combining electric guitar and jazz horns with soaring Mandinka and Bamabara lyrical lines African and western drums and local instruments such as the kora and the balafon At their height of fame in the 1970s the Rail Band played to sold out venues and even stadia across West Africa and launched solo careers for many of its members including Salif Keita History editThe first incarnation of the Rail Band was founded in 1970 sponsored by the Ministry of Information and the railway administration The Malian government had since the 60s been sponsoring cultural events and groups to promote national traditions the Rail Band was among those programs The band performed as the house band at the Buffet Bar of the Station Hotel in Bamako from which it takes its name Beginning as a Latin Jazz band in the style of Congolese Soukous it soon began integrating local Manding musical styles and traditions with vocals in the Bambara language From early on the band featured electric guitar electric organ saxophone horns and a western drum kit alongside Mande music using kora balafon ngoni talking drums Islamic style Mande hunter co fraternity song and griot praise singing vocals Members editThe Rail Band s lead singer in the 1970s was Salif Keita who left the band to join the rival Super Ambassadeurs and then follow a successful solo career in 1982 The group soon became a training ground for many of Mali s most popular performers such as singer Mory Kante and guitarist Kante Manfila Guitarist Djelimady Tounkara has been a member of the band for most of its history The band changing personnel many times continues to perform around the world In May 2020 Kante died from chronic illness Recognition editAccording to the Timbuktu Renaissance initiative Super Biton is one of two bands in particular that have left an indelible mark on the Malian musical landscape the other being Rail Band both pioneers of the fusion of the traditional sounds and rhythms of Segou and modern genres 1 Discography editAlbums1970 Sunjata Barenreiter Musicaphon 1976 Melodias Rail Band du Mali Kouma 1976 Concert Rail Band du Mali Kouma 1977 Orchestre du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako HNLX 5179 1979 Affair Social Sacodis LS 25 1985 New Dimensions in Rail Culture Globestyle 1994 Super Rail Band de Bamako Djougouya Magni Indigo 1996 Mansa Indigo 2003 Kongo Sigui Indigo Contributing artist1995 The Rough Guide to West African Music World Music Network 2012 The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa World Music Network Complete discography available at the Radio Africa web siteSee also editMusic of Mali Super Biton de SegouReferences edit Mali s Super Bands Timbuktu Renaissance Retrieved 29 November 2022 via Google Arts amp Culture Super Rail Band Banning Eyre Afropop Worldwide 2001 New and Old Music from Rail Band guitarist Djelimady Tounkara Cora Connection 2002 African Legends Super Rail Band Bruce Miller globalrhythm net November 6 2006 Super Rail Band aka New Dimensions In Rail Culture Super Rail Band Of The Buffet Hotel De La Gare De Bamako Review Chris May All About Jazz 2006 Super Rail Band Hear my train a comin Philip Sweeney The Independent London 4 July 2003 The Unsinkable Mali Sound Super Rail Band Traore Ride a West African Groove Fernando Gonzalez The Washington Post Washington D C July 11 2001 Bembeya Jazz v Super Rail Band Barbican London The Guardian Tuesday 8 July 2003 Super Band Supreme The outstanding return of Super Rail Band de Bamako Bob Tarte Miami News Times January 22 2004 FROM THE MOTHERLAND Getting on track with Mali s Super Rail Band Tom Cheyney L A Weekly July 25 2002 CRITIC S NOTEBOOK African Music Is Here And It s Now BEN RATLIFF New York Times July 6 2001 WORLD MUSIC REVIEW All the Variety of Africa Played at a Genteel Pace JON PARELES New York Times July 16 2002 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rail Band amp oldid 1132815641, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
