A Brother in Sweden

"Outcast Forever"

2012-01-07T17:37:00.002+01:00

A teaser from "a documentary on the infamous all black motorcycle club" called Outcast Forever.

I would love to see this one.

"Our Latin Thing"

2012-01-07T16:48:00.001+01:00

At home

2011-10-31T12:57:00.005+01:00

It's monday, the last day of october and winter is around the corner.

I'm at home today drinking coffe and listening to some vintage soul from Burkina Faso, Bambara Mystic Soul - The Raw Sound of Burkina Faso 1974-1979. Great stuff! The music swings with confidence. Positive vibrations. La vie est belle.

Analog Africa is a great record label that releases old vintage afro-soul and funk from (mostly) West Africa. This is the tenth release from the label and it's one of the more interesting ones.

Seun in Copenhagen

2011-10-31T12:23:00.003+01:00

I went to a great concert in Copenhagen on friday. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. It was really good. Raw and funky afrobeat. I felt very positive afterwards. And tired since I had been dancing for a couple of hours...

Music is life!

Blues brother

2011-09-05T09:50:00.001+02:00

This is great! Dynamite.

The tragedy in Oslo

2011-07-29T11:59:00.003+02:00

Last friday a right wing extremist bombed the government buildings in Oslo which killed 8 people. Later he killed 68 people, mostly young, in a mass shooting at a Labour Party youth camp outside Oslo. Norway is in shock and so is the rest of the world. Scandinavia hasn´t experienced violence like that since World War II.

My thoughts has been with the Norwegian people all week. I think of the brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, friends and loved ones of all the people that were murdered in Norway on the 22 of July 2011.

Mina tankar går till broderfolket i Norge. Må de avlidna i terrorattacken vila i frid. Låt oss hedra deras minne. Låt inte mördaren vinna.

Vacation!

2011-07-17T20:21:00.003+02:00

I have vacation! I look forward to three weeks of fun...and rest. During my vacation I will travel to friends in Malmö (in the south of Sweden) and Stockholm. I usually do that during my summer vacations.

Stockholm is a very beautiful city during summer. I'm not a good photographer but hopefully I will at least take some decent photos I can show here on my blog.

Keziah Jones

2011-07-17T20:12:00.001+02:00

This is great stuff from Nigeria born Keziah Jones. This man has deep talent!

Eddy

2011-06-27T20:28:00.000+02:00

Mr. Phil Lynott

2011-06-25T16:00:00.008+02:00

When I grew up during the 80s I listened alot to hard rock. Thin Lizzy was one of my favorite bands (and they still are). They had really good songs with strong melodies. And they also had the coolest bass player and frontman that has ever lived - Phil Lynott. I have recently rediscovered my old Lizzy-albums and they rock! Hard rock with alot of soul.

Lynott grew up in Ireland. His father was afro-guyanese and his mother was irish. When I read about his childhood I can see some similarities to my own here in Sweden. Nowadays both Ireland and Sweden are multi cultural societies but it wasn't like that back in the 70s. During Lynotts career his lyrics developed and he became more conscious about his roots. His music and lyrics has meant alot to me. Sadly he died in 1986, at the age of 36.

Midsummer

2011-06-24T16:44:00.003+02:00

Today it is Midsummer's Eve. It's one of the most important holidays in Sweden. People get together, sing and dance, get drunk, and fool around. It's a great day :-) This year I will have a quiet midsummers eve though, and relax at home.

I wish you all a nice midsummers eve. Be careful out there!

Bonjour Ma Vie

2011-06-24T16:41:00.000+02:00

Hangover

2011-05-31T11:59:00.000+02:00

Prince

2011-05-31T11:04:00.003+02:00

I'm very happy today! I just bought a ticket to a music festival in Gothenburg (in august). Prince will come there and perform! I have seen Prince two times before, in 1987 and 1988. So it's been 23 long years...Now, the waiting is over.

I started to listen to Prince during the Purple Rain-era and since then I have considered him as one of my favorite artists. It will be a great concert!

Nigeria 70

2011-05-30T11:02:00.004+02:00

I just bought the latest album in the Nigeria 70-series - Sweet Times. It's as good as the two earlier releases. It swings! Funky Lagos!

Oi!

2011-05-15T11:34:00.004+02:00

For fans of brazilian music I recommend to check out the compilation Oi! A Nova Musica Brasileira!. The music on the album isn't bossa nova, samba or baile funk but more alternative sounds from Brazil. New wave, dub, funk, techno, rock, afro, electronica...you can find everything on this compilation. It really shows the diversity of Brazilian music.

Djibouti

2011-05-15T11:03:00.003+02:00

I'm back home in Gothenburg after a two weeks trip to Djibouti in East Africa (Horn of Africa). Djibouti is a very hot country. There isn't alot to do there but it's still an interesting place. The French Foreign Legion has one of its brigades in Djibouti, and the American army is also there. Djibouti is neighbour to Somalia so it's a strategic place.

French (and arabic) is the official language but some understands and can speak english. I was surprised to see that so many djiboutians chew khat (it's classified as a drug by WHO). I must admit I was a bit nervous when some of the taxi drivers chew it...

A trip to Africa

2011-04-29T10:01:00.003+02:00

Salaam! I'm on my way to East Africa. It's a work trip so therefore I will not go into details about the trip at the moment. I will be back in mid-may. Hopefully I will be able to show some nice pics on my blog.

I have recently bought a new biography about Malcolm X by the late Marable Manning. I will read it during the trip. It feels great to travel to Africa and at the same time read about Malcolm X own travels in life.

I haven't posted much on my blog lately and I will not post anything the next two weeks. But as soon as I get home I will be more active again. I appreciate that there are some people out there that still follows my blog.

Take care!

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

2011-04-02T13:51:00.002+02:00

An award winning Swedish documentary about the Black Power movement. I will definitely see that one!

Söndag

2011-03-20T13:04:00.004+01:00

Aurelio

2011-03-12T19:45:00.001+01:00

Aurelio - an artist from Honduras.

The lumberjack

2011-03-09T09:15:00.008+01:00

I was out with the lads last weekend. I had my red, white and blue checked shirt on to the amusement of my friends. They think I look like a lumberjack when I wear that shirt. Well, since I like being out in the woods I have nothing against being called that.

I might even consider a new career.

Olof Palme

2011-02-28T15:58:00.003+01:00

On the 1st of mars 1986 I was woken up by my mother that with sadness in her voice told me that our Prime Minister Olof Palme had been murdered. I was 12 years old when that happened. I still remember that moment and I don't think I ever will forget it.

Today it's 25 years ago Olof Palme was shot to death (he was murdered on the 28th of february and pronounced dead on the 1st of mars 1986). Many say that Sweden lost its innocence that day and maybe that's true. Palme was a great (and controversial) politician that divided Sweden into those that loved him and those that hated him - and when I say hate I mean hate with a passion. In my home Palme was deeply respected though and was one of those politicians that inspired both my mother and me to become interested in politics. Palme often stood up for third world countries and was known for his skills as a speaker.

The mystery surrounding the murder of Olof Palme hasn't been solved and the murder is still a trauma in the modern history of Sweden. The murder changed the political climate in Sweden and I think it will take a long time before Sweden will see a politician and a leader as skilled as Olof Palme.

Winter strikes back

2011-02-15T08:53:00.005+01:00

(last summer in Dear Old Stockholm)

It's cold again...This winter is a tough one - just like last year. Summer seem far away but here are things to look forward to though. The great senegalese star Youssou N'Dour will play in Gothenburg on the 6th of mars (he will also play in Stockholm and Copenhagen). I see that concert as the beginning of Spring. I'm sure Youssou N'Dour will bring some sunshine to my city. Youssou N'Dour is one of the legends of Senegambian music and he is still relevant today. The last time I saw him was more then ten years ago so I really look forward to this concert!

His last three albums Egypt, Rokku Mi Rokka and Dakar-Kingston shows that he can master different music styles, not only mbalax. Egypt is a mixture of senegalese and egyptian music and is a true classic. It's a deeply spiritual album. Rokku Mi Rokka is a rootsy album devoted to the northern music of Senegal. Dakar-Kingston is a tribute to reggae music.

Well, maybe spring and summer doesn't seem that far away...

(neo)soul

2011-02-13T13:45:00.001+01:00

Adam Tensta

2011-02-11T13:19:00.002+01:00

Adam Tensta is an interesting artist from Sweden. He has similar background like me (Gambian-Swedish) and he is a positive force in the Swedish Hip-Hop community.

"Adam Tensta excludes alcohol, cigarettes and drugs from his lifestyle. He is a representative for the Save the Children Sweden and an ambassador for Alla Olika Alla Lika, a youth campaign against racism, prejudice and discrimination in Sweden."
- from Wikipedia

Explain My Heart

2011-02-08T21:03:00.003+01:00

"Explain My Heart" from Saul Williams forthcoming album Volcanic Sunlight.

Saul Williams is beautiful. He is a genius.

Abaraka!

Free your mind...

2011-01-22T14:41:00.003+01:00

...and your ass will follow.

I don't know how to describe this album by Funkadelic from 1970. It's insane. Psychedelic rock meets raw funk grooves. I love it. I'm a HUGE fan of the Jimi Hendrix Experience so I really enjoy when Eddie Hazel goes bananas with his guitar on this album. Funkadelic (and Parliament) is more known for funk and soul but this is one of the best hard rock albums I have ever heard. And one of the craziest.

Patrice Lumumba

2011-01-17T19:05:00.002+01:00

The greatest black man who ever walked the African continent
- Malcolm X, 1964

Patrice Lumumba was a panafricanist, independence leader and the first legally elected prime minister of the Republic of the Congo. Today it was 50 years ago he was murdered. It was later revealed that Belgium (and maybe USA) were involved in the plots behind the murder.

Freedom Rhythm & Sound

2011-01-17T07:54:00.007+01:00

A collection of cover artwork of revolutionary jazz music between 1965-83.

...Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, The Last Poets, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Rashied Ali, Cecil Taylor, The Oneness of Juju, Gary Bartz, Art Ensembe of Chicago, Rahsaan Roland Kirk...

"A Brother" on Facebook

2011-01-16T15:06:00.002+01:00

I have "met" a lot of interesting people after I started blogging and therefore I have created a Facebook page. Feel free to add me if you want to communicate more with me. You can find the link to my Facebook page on the left side on this blog.

Belizean legend Andy Palacio (1960-2008).

Café au lait and some AfroCubism

2011-01-14T17:56:00.006+01:00

One of the greatest album last year came from Cuba...and Mali. AfroCubism is a project that brings together Malian and Cuban musicians. It's a great collaboration. The music sounds timeless.

Sweden is cold now. Both climate and society. We now have an extreme right wing party represented in the Swedish parliament. They only got 5,6 % of the votes but it's scary. They want society to become more "swedish" again and they are especially attacking muslims with xenophobic ad islamophobic statements. It make me sick. Sweden has benefited from immigration for a long time now. Migration is natural. People move - cultures meet.

For me, AfroCubism represents the meeting between people and cultures.

Dimba Diangola

2011-01-05T00:24:00.004+01:00

Dimba Diangola - Fuma

A wonderful song from the Angola Soundtrack album released by Analog Africa. I love this. I feel like dancing.

Magnolia

2011-01-04T16:45:00.002+01:00

Remembering the Magnolia teaser from joshua bee alafia on Vimeo.

Documentary about the Magnolia Projects in New Orleans by Joshua Bee Alafia.

I have written about New Orleans before on my blog. It's one of my favorite cities. I was there in 1996 and I hope I will return and visit the city again in the future. I was very sad when I heard on the news about Katrina in 2005. I guess the city will never be the same again.

My other favorite cities are Dakar in Senegal and Marseille in France. I like port cities. The city I live in, Gothenburg, is also a port city. A port is a place where people and cultures meet, it's a place you leave or a place you return to. A place of sadness and joy. Just like life.

I love jazz

2011-01-04T14:44:00.002+01:00

I remember when I started to really love jazz. It was in the autumn of 1994 and I was a university student in Uppsala, Sweden. I started to explore fusion and then later on free jazz. I became a jazz addict at once. Now I have a huge collection of jazz records and I listen to it almost every day.

My latest favorite jazz album is this collection of old jazz tunes from South Africa - Next Stop...Soweto: vol 3. The music is powerful and emotional and despite the music was created during apartheid it is often positive.

Colombian Gold

2011-01-04T02:00:00.001+01:00

A trailer from a documentary about Colombian music.

Happy New Year...

2010-12-31T21:47:00.000+01:00

...Gott Nytt År! Put on your dancing shoes. Let's boogie!

Soul on ice

2010-12-22T21:20:00.005+01:00

It's cold now in Sweden. Very cold. Just like last year which was the coldest winter I can remember. Well, this can be an even colder one.

I haven't been writing much on this blog. I have a blog in Swedish and I have been focusing on that one lately. But as always I'm listening to alot of great music - especially music from the African continent. Two of my favorite albums at the moment are:

The music on the two compilations are from Angola. Recorded during the 60s and 70s. A period when the Angolan people fought a liberation war against the portugese colonisers. The music is often very melancholy and emotional and bare resemblance of Cuban and Brazilian music, but with a strong African vibe.

Higly recommended!

Movie: Night Catches Us

2010-12-04T18:23:00.000+01:00

Kanye West

2010-11-21T16:49:00.001+01:00

The Cool Ruler

2010-10-27T14:12:00.001+02:00

Gregory Isaacs, Rest In Peace.

Tiken Jah Fakoly

2010-10-08T09:28:00.002+02:00

Tiken Jah Fakoly is a reggae artist from Ivory Coast. He is now back with a new album called African Revolution. Fakoly sings in dyula (manding) and french. Ivory Coast has a strong reggae tradition and Tiken Jah Fakoly is one of the best. Fakoly now lives in exile in Mali.

One love!

Wake Up Everybody

2010-09-22T20:01:00.000+02:00

P.E.

2010-09-13T13:02:00.000+02:00

"Set"

2010-08-24T14:12:00.000+02:00

Cheikh Lo - Set from World Circuit on Vimeo.

Nawlins Jam

2010-08-23T23:21:00.000+02:00

I love this.

Sene Regal

2010-08-21T12:53:00.003+02:00

Theres alot of great artists coming from Senegal. Carlou D used to perform with one of Senegals first Hip Hop groups - Positive Black Soul. Now he has started a solo career and recently released his second album Muzikr. It's an album filled with spiritual songs. Senegal is a predominately muslim country. Sufism (Islamic mysticism) has a very strong tradition in Senegal. Carlou D belongs to the Baye Fall brotherhood. The members of this brotherhood wears dreadlocks and colorful clothes. They don't pray or fast but instead work hard for their spiritual communities. They also perform dhikr, which means rememberance of God and is an Islamic devotional act. I have experienced some dhikr-rituals in Dakar and it can be really intense. While many muslims frown upon the Baye Falls unorthodox way of Islam, I have the deepest respect for the brotherhood.

Muzikr is a great album with many different types of songs. The music is rootsy and a bit different then the mbalax-music you hear on every street in Dakar. He reminds me a bit about Cheikh Lô (who also belongs to the Baye Falls) but Carlou D also has a completely unique sound.

Jerijeff Carlou!

Jamm

2010-08-01T22:49:00.003+02:00

Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô will release his new album in late summer. I have listened to him since I first heard his wonderful music in Gambia back in 1996. He has released three albums and they are all favorites in my collection.

His new albums is called Jamm which means Peace in the Wolof language of Senegal (and Gambia).

Stromae

2010-07-19T12:19:00.003+02:00

Here are two songs by Belgian artist Stromae. The song "Alors on danse" has been a huge hit throughout Europe this year.

Vacation

2010-07-16T12:38:00.004+02:00

(that's me celebrating vacation two years ago...)

My vacation starts at half past four today. I really look forward to three lazy weeks. Weather is great here in Sweden and I will probably stay here during my vacation. I plan to visit friends and family.

If I feel inspired I will update my blog during my vacation and hopefully add some pics also. Take care!

Toure and Diabate

2010-06-28T16:35:00.001+02:00

AfroCubism

2010-06-28T16:07:00.000+02:00

Ghana vs USA

2010-06-25T13:05:00.002+02:00

Tomorrow Ghana will play against USA in the knockout phase of the World Cup in football. The winner will play quarter final against the winner between Uruguay and South Korea.

The game between Ghana and USA will be very exciting. Both teams have performed well so far. My hope is that Ghana (which is the only African team in the knockout phase) will win and be the first African team to enter semi final in the World Cup.

Go Ghana!

Bafana Bafana

2010-06-11T13:51:00.004+02:00

It's time for the World Cup in football in South Africa. The opening game is between South Africa (aka Bafana Bafana) and Mexico. It's the first time that the World Cup is held on the African continent and I'm very excited. My favorite teams are the African teams - Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Bafana Bafana.

Allez l'Afrique!

A Love Bizarre

2010-05-23T19:45:00.001+02:00

Dynamite performance by Prince and Sheila E. A Love Bizarre.

The Indians

2010-05-23T12:47:00.007+02:00

I have been watching the first six episodes of the drama-series Treme. I like it. The music is good and the characters are interesting. My favorite is Albert "Big Chief" Lambreaux - leader of a group of Mardi Gras Indians.

The first time I heard about Mardi Gras Indians was in 1996 when I visited New Orleans, just a couple of days before Mardi Gras. Since then I have heard more about this interesting New Orleans tradition. Two of my favorite funk albums are by two different "tribes" - The Wild Magnolias and Wild Tchoupitoulas. Great stuff. The albums are recorded in the 70s and feature those two tribes accompanied by some of the best New Orleans musicians like The Neville Brothers/Meters. The two albums are similar but there also some differences. The Wild Magnolias are more funky and earthy while Tchoupitoulas has a more gentle "Caribbean" flavor in their music.

Synth

2010-05-16T12:15:00.006+02:00

P-Funk, Slave, ZAPP, Rick James and of course Prince. This guy has the same respect and love for late 70s and early 80s funk as I have. DâM-FunK has recently been on an European tour but unfortunately he didn't come to Sweden - this time.

I grew up durig the 80s and DâM-FunKs music brings me back to a time when synthesizers were the coolest thing in the world. I like what he is doing and that he isn't only a "retro-artist". This is "Modern Funk".

Démé

2010-05-13T13:09:00.002+02:00

Victor Démé is an artist from Burkina Faso in West Africa. This interview is in french but he also sings a bit so don't hesitate to watch the clip, even if you don't understand the language.

Strain

2010-05-08T13:13:00.008+02:00

I have been resting lately since I have a strained muscle. It happened when I played football about a month ago and I still have some pain in my muscle.

Two weeks from now I will play in a football tournament with some of my colleagues at work. Hopefully I'll be recovered by then. It's the first time I have a pulled muscle so I'm very careful at the moment. Summer is soon here and I don't want to walk around like I'm 80 years old.

Basquiat

2010-05-02T18:41:00.001+02:00

Shafiq Husayn

2010-04-27T10:48:00.002+02:00

Shafiq En A-Free-Ka by Shafiq Husayn was one of the strongest albums of last year. Here is a beautiful video clip of a song from that album. The video is featuring the great Bilal.

Here is also the first part of an interesting documentary about Shafiq Husayn (you can find the rest of the documentary on Youtube).

Treme

2010-04-12T00:51:00.002+02:00

I really look forward to see this new series, Treme, from the creators of The Wire. I guess I have to wait awhile until they broadcast it in Sweden though.

1 year

2010-04-02T12:09:00.003+02:00

I created this blog 1 year ago on April Fools Day 2009. Since then I have been reading and writing on different blogs and been connecting with people all over the world. That's the most exciting thing about blogging.

When I look at my first posts I read that I tried to stop drink coffe. Exactly one year later I'm trying the same thing, but it is very difficult for me to not drink coffe.

It's Easter and I'm celebrating by listening to the latest album by Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh. I love everything she does so I'm having a great moment here since I'm also off work. I sense this will be a soulful weekend.

I wish you all Happy Easter!

Youssou

2010-03-20T15:35:00.004+01:00

Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour has just released a reggae influenced album called Dakar-Kingston. I haven't heard the album yet but judging from these clips it will be a great one.

I started to listen to Youssou N'Dour in the early 1990s. Since then he has been one of my favorite artist. I will write more about his new album as soon as I have heard it.

Jerijeff

Congolese DIY!

2010-03-05T18:05:00.006+01:00

This is Staff Benda Bilili. The group consists of street musicians from Congo - Kinshasa. They blend different kinds of music and they swing like James Brown. I really like this group and I will see them in concert in Gothenburg this summer, when they play at a festival here.

Congo has a long and strong music tradition. Congolese rumba is pouplar over the whole of Africa and its diaspora. Staff Benda Bilili represents something else though. Just like their labelmates Konono No 1 and Kasai All Stars they play a more raw sound and their music is not as polished as Congolese rumba.

My friends blog

2010-03-01T19:02:00.002+01:00

A friend of mine has a blog I would like to recommend. She writes about the "Afro-Italian experience". You can find the blog here.

Snowstorm

2010-02-22T19:53:00.006+01:00

The last three months here in Sweden has been very cold. I have not experienced such a long period of cold weather. Not that I can remember at least. But I'm not a man that complains much. And I will not start now...

The good thing about winter is that it's nice to be indoors and listen to good music. Toumani Diabate and the late Ali Farka Toure just released a new great album called - Ali & Toumani. It was recorded before Ali Farka Toure sadly died in 2006. The duo has already released an amazing album from the sessions called In the Heart of the Moon. It's traditional Malian music mainly from the Manding tradition. It's one of the greatest albums in my collection. Ali Farka Toure plays the guitar and Toumani Diabate is the master of the Kora - a West African harp.

Toumani Diabate also released a solo album two years ago with Kora music called The Mandé Variations. It's also an amazing piece of work. Classical Mandinka music from West Africa. It's peaceful music for late nights of soul searching.

Highly recommended!

Gambia

2010-02-18T20:10:00.001+01:00

Today Gambia celebrates 45 years of independence. On this day in 1965 - British colonial rule ended.

Abaraka

Gil

2010-02-12T21:48:00.003+01:00

At first I didn't like this song much but it's growing and growing. Gil Scott-Heron is back and I'm very happy for that. He is one of my favorite artists and the things he did in the 70s are amazing.

Art

2010-02-12T21:44:00.001+01:00

Here's a trailer about an upcoming documentary about the Black arts movement in the 80s and 90s.

A Walk Through Fort Greene - TRAILER from Diane Paragas on Vimeo.

Egypt!

2010-01-31T18:57:00.002+01:00

Today Egypt played against Ghana in the final of the African Cup of Nations. Egypt won by a late goal. It was their third cup gold in a row.

Congratulations Egypt.

Göteborg

2010-01-29T09:31:00.005+01:00

I have moved to Gothenburg (Göteborg in Swedish). The city is on the west coast of Sweden and has the largest port in the Nordic countries. I have lived here before so I can say I know the city very well. Gothenburg is different from the capital Stockholm and has a more relaxed atmosphere. Traditionally Gothenburg has been a blue-collar city and Stockholm a white-collar city. But that is changing.

The thing I like most about Gothenburg is it closeness to the sea. During spring and summer it's a lovely city to live in. It is not as beautiful as Stockholm but it has a more charming character. I really look forward to enjoy the spring here. I also like the friendly attitude of the people here in the city. People talk more to eachother here then they do in the Capital. And they are more down to earth.

Brother Stokely

2010-01-21T17:09:00.003+01:00

I have always admired Stokely Carmichael aka Kwame Ture. He was a true pan-africanist who actually moved to Guinea (Conakry) in West Africa and lived there until his death in 1998.

I have recently read his biography Ready for Revolution: The Life and Struggles of Stokely Carmichael and I recommend it for those that are interested in pan-africanism and wants to know more about this man.

His thoughts and ideas might belong to a different era. The world isn't the same know as it was in the 60s and 70s. Carmichael was also a bit too friendly with Ahmed Sékou Toure - the Guinean dictator. But there are things about his life that can inspire us all. Especially his love and respect for Africa and its diaspora.

Abaraka Ture

Watching The Wire

2010-01-21T16:45:00.005+01:00

I have been mostly been at home lately because of the cold weather. I have read books and also taken time to start to watch The Wire. It was broadcasted on Swedish Television a couple of years ago but I missed many of the episodes (I think I have only seen about 1/3 of the episodes before). So now I sit in front of my PC with a can of coffe and watch episode after episode. I can't stop. I don't need to write how good it is since most of you have seen the series years ago...

Haiti

2010-01-14T14:57:00.003+01:00

Mes pensées et mes prières vont à tous les Haïtiens.

My thoughts and prayers go to all the Haitians.

But let us not only think and pray. Let's act to help our brothers and sisters.

African Cup of Nations

2010-01-09T19:37:00.003+01:00

The African Cup of Nations in football will start tomorrow in Angola, southern Africa. The cup is played every second year and I always look forward to it and watch it with excitement. This year the cup has started in a very sad way. The togolese team were attacked in an ambush performed by angolan rebels, and at least two people in the togolese troup were killed. Togo has now withdrawn from the tournament.

The Cup should be about joy and festivities and a chance for Africa to show the world how many skilled football players the continent has. Now violence has showed its ugly face once again. I'm very sad about this.

Happy New Year...

2009-12-31T11:38:00.002+01:00

...or as we say in Swedish - Gott Nytt År!

It's very cold today but I don't care about that - tonight I will party.

I hope you will enjoy New Years Eve and that next year and decade start in a positive way.

Abaraka

Rock and mbalax

2009-12-28T22:02:00.002+01:00

BLK JKS was one of the great discoveries for me during 2009. I love their music. It's a totally fresh and new sound.

I don't know much about senegalese singer Abou Thioubalo. I look forward to hear more mbalax from that man next year, inshallah.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T12:22:00.002+01:00

In Sweden we celebrate on the 24th of december - on Christmas Eve. Yesterday I took the 40 minute train ride to Uppsala, the old University city "where the Jackdaws speaks latin". This is the city that I call my spiritual home since I was born here. My mother still lives in Uppsala and I'm here to visit her during the holidays. The city looks very beautiful at the moment because there is snow everywhere.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Abaraka

Soul Power

2009-12-19T13:40:00.003+01:00

Soul Power is a documentary about the music festival that accompanied the heavyweight fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire (now called Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1974. The documetary is great with alot of good music.

If you want to know more about the classic fight between Ali and Foreman, The Rumble in the Jungle, you should see the film When We Were Kings that was released about a decade ago.

Winter in December

2009-12-16T09:42:00.002+01:00

It's the middle of december and there is snow everywhere. I have always liked this month - despite I'm not a good christian. I like the candles and the food and to visit my dear mothers house on Christmas Eve. When I was a kid I loved Christmas and to get presents (who doesn't?). As i grew older and I started to lean more towards my muslim heritage we stopped celebrate Christmas traditionally and instead just met for a peaceful family gathering. No presents, just a humble dinner and a nice vibe.

Nowadays I always feel a bit sad during Christmas because one person is missing. My brother - Malik Lamin. He left this world in october 2002 and since then we always go to his resting place during Christmas and light candles. I often get tears in my eyes when I stand there and say my prayers but I also try to smile since I know my brother wouldn't want me to cry during Christmas. My brother was interested in Norse mythology so maybe he is up there in Valhalla eating and drinking with our Swedish ancestors or maybe he is walking on the Savannah with our Gambian forefathers. Wherever he is I'm sure he is happy.

It seems like there will be plenty of snow this Christmas and New Year. That's good. I'm Scandinavian so I like snow.

Abaraka

Urbanlife

2009-12-07T10:50:00.002+01:00

The Black community in Sweden is growing and therefore it's nice to see that there is a Swedish site that is dedicated to those interested in African and African-Caribbean culture. The site is called Urbanlife and there you can find information where to find African restaurants, stores and clubs etc, in Sweden.

Being part of the African community in Sweden I have been waiting for a long time to find a site like this. Unfortunately not many know about it so I would like to take the opportunity here to promote it.

Big up to Urbanlife!

Glögg

2009-11-30T20:47:00.003+01:00

In Sweden we drink something that is called Glögg - mulled wine. It's very tasty and we drink it around christmas. Yesterday I went to the store and bought some Glögg and I'm enjoying a cup at the moment.

November was a horrible month this year. Dark and grey. December will be better with all the lights and candles - and scent of sweet Glögg.

Yesterday was Advent Sunday and two days before that it was Tobaski - Eid al-Adha, one of the big muslim holidays. Since I have both christian and muslim family I must say it was a nice weekend.

Abaraka

BlakRoc

2009-11-28T13:07:00.003+01:00

BlakRoc is a collaboration between rock band The Black Keys and several Hip Hop artists like Mos Def, Raekwon, Q-Tip, Jim Jones and Rza. After hearing this tune I must say I like the result - I will check out the album!

The coolest beard...

2009-11-24T20:59:00.005+01:00

...in the music industry belongs to Kyp Malone. Rain Machine is his solo project and it's as interesting as his ordinary band - TV on the Radio. This song, "Give Blood", has a nice boogie feeling to it.

Jimi Hendrix

2009-11-15T21:27:00.001+01:00

Jimi Hendrix is performing "The Wind Cries Mary" in Stockholm in 1967.

It's snowing

2009-11-05T10:43:00.004+01:00

Snow is here. But it's snow mixed with rain so it will disappear as quick as it comes. November is the worst month in Sweden with its mixture between autumn and winter - rain and snow.

Because of work I will need to move back to my old city - Gothenburg. It's the third time I will move within a year so I'm not that happy about it but at the same time I feel good about returning to the sea port on the west coast of Sweden. I will probably move in january.

I'm also thinking about travelling somewhere in december or january. Probably within Europe. A friend of mine suggested Germany and that would be interesting. Or I might go back to Marseille in southern France - that's a city I really like.

"Politik Kills"

2009-11-04T18:48:00.000+01:00

Nigerian-German grooves

2009-10-18T18:07:00.012+02:00

I recently found out about an artist called Nneka. She is Nigerian-German and a great representative of the "African European"-community. She's beautiful and cool and VERY talented.

Nneka sings about God, spirituality, Nigerian (and African) politics, migration and her identity as mixed. Her music and lyrics inspires me and I look forward to hear more from this artist. Things are happening in Europe and I'm happy that artists like Nneka and Ayo (also Nigerian-German) has arrived on the scene. It's (of course) the women that shows us the way.

Shabazz

2009-10-17T17:55:00.002+02:00

Shabazz Palaces - "Belhaven Meridian" [OFFICIAL] from Kahlil Joseph on Vimeo.

Ahh Hiplife...

2009-10-14T19:01:00.001+02:00

Some Hiplife-beats from Ghana. "Manenko" by V.I.P.

District 9

2009-10-11T16:43:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I saw the movie District 9. It's a science fiction movie that takes place in South Africa and is based on historical events. If you want to read more about the plot you can do that here. I would like to focus on some things that disturbed me about the movie.

First of all I have to say I don't look at movies and try to find faults. But when I saw District 9 I was very disturbed by how the Nigerian characters were potrayed - as criminals and cannibals. The movie itself was exciting, different and good but I became upset when I watched the movie and that affected my feelings toward it.

Maybe some might think I'm oversensitive but in this case I don't agree. If you haven't seen the movie you should do so and make your own observations though.

La Réalité

2009-10-09T23:55:00.005+02:00

Two nice videos by the Malian blind couple Amadou et Mariam. Both songs are a bit different from their older and more rootsy stuff but I still love their music. I attended a concert by them a couple of years ago in Gothenburg and I think the whole audience danced that night!

Raw Power

2009-10-06T20:16:00.002+02:00

Bad Brains in Action! - from their legendary performance at CBGB 1982.

October

2009-10-06T19:27:00.003+02:00

It's getting colder in Stockholm and winter will be soon be here. I have no problem with that - I'm used to cold weather and snow. The last week has been chilly and rainy so I have mostly stayed indoors listening to free jazz on loud volume (sorry neighbours) and drinking plenty cups of tea.

(Ornette Coleman)

I have not been updating my blog lately but hopefully I will find inspiration to write more as soon as the snow arrives. I'm planning to make some trips also and that will create some "stories" to post here.

Abaraka

The Very Best

2009-09-30T19:06:00.009+02:00

Warm Heart of Africa by a project called The Very Best is an interesting album I have listened to the whole day and evening. The group consists of Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and Swedish-French Dj/producer duo Radioclit (Johan Karlberg and Etienne Tron) - based in London where they met. The sound is interesting - a mixture of club music and Malawian sounds.

The album will be perfect to listen to while I travel on the subway in Stockholm or when I'm home on a rainy day.

Guinea (Conakry)

2009-09-29T19:34:00.002+02:00

The situation in the West African country Guinea is very serious. More then 150 civilians have been killed in what should be described as a massacre by the military. There are reports that the military are looting goods and that women are being raped.

Guinea-Conakry is in a part of Africa that has experienced hardship for many years. There has been civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Countries like Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau has experienced bloody coup d'etats and unrest.

I'm very sad when I read about the troubles in Guinea. It's not far from my fathers country Gambia so I want to take the opportunity here to express my sympathy to the Guinean people.

Silver and pain

2009-09-23T10:25:00.004+02:00

Me and my team mates competed in the annual football (soccer) tournament at work last friday. Different units from all over the country met up to try to win the gold medals. After four hard games we got to the final! There we met a very strong team and unfortunately lost...BUT I'm very proud of my team mates and the mood and atmosphere was on top the whole day and evening.

We deserved our silver medals and most of us couldn't move when we woke up on saturday morning...My body was in pain the whole weekend but it was worth it. I love playing football and this annual tournament is one of the highlights during the year. In the semi final I scored the best goal of my life (one of my team mates thought it was "world class goal" but I'm not sure about that...). It was the goal that took us to the finals so I was very happy that I could help my team mates with that goal.

عيد مبارك‎

2009-09-20T19:40:00.002+02:00

Ramadan is over. I wish all muslims a great Eid-feast. In Gambia (and some other West African countries) the Eid ul Fitr is called Korite.

Eid Mubarak

After Robots

2009-09-17T18:53:00.003+02:00

I have been writing about this group before - BLK JKS from South Africa. Now their debut album After Robots is out (they have released an EP before called Mystery). I strongly recommend this group for those blog readers that are into rock, fusion jazz and music you will not find on hit lists.

Their music sounds strange (in a positive way). I have never heard a sound like that before. Dub and South African grooves mixed with indie pop and rock. I'm really happy that I found out about this group.