Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel // Nijerusalem LP

ナイジェリアのレジェンドシンセ奏者Mamman Saniと、ドイツのストレンジビーツ作家Tropikal Camelが、2024年9月にイギリス・ロンドンのコンテンポラリー・ファンクレーベルBatovからリリースした共作レコードです。

アフリカン・ハウス〜ストレンジビーツ8曲を収録。

以下、レーベルによる解説です。

"1978年に初めてレコーディングされたMamman Saniの電子オルガン・ミュージックは、ニジェールの国民的英雄となり、ニジェールの新しい国歌を作るきっかけとなった。Mamman Saniの音楽は親密感を体現しており、リスナーとともに部屋にいるソロ・アーティストのような存在感を響かせている。

このアルバムは、ウガンダのNyege Nyegeフェスティバルでの偶然の出会いから生まれた。両アーティストはレジデンスとスタジオスペースを共有し、2週間にわたる長時間のレコーディングセッションを行ない、Mamman SaniのシンセメロディとTropikal Camelのパーカッシブなエレクトロニックビートの有機的な融合を捉えた。Mamman Saniは73歳、Tropikal Camelは44歳という異なる経歴と年齢にもかかわらず、彼らは共同作業の過程で均衡を見出した。

Nijerusalemは、80年代の温かみのあるシンセ・サウンドにオマージュを捧げつつ、アフリカン・エレクトロニックな美学を吹き込んでいる。ナイジェリアの民俗的伝統に根ざしたマンマンの音楽は、この音の探求の中で新たな生命を見出し、真正性と革新性に共鳴する。

Mamman SaniとTropikal Camelはともに豊かで多様な文化的背景を持ち、文化交流と相互尊重の対話を生み出している。ハウサ族とトゥアレグ族にルーツを持つMamman Saniの伝統は、Tropikal Camel自身の北アフリカと中東のルーツと音楽的関心と交差する。"

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12" black vinyl. Black vinyl edition of 700. 

Tracklist:

1. Nomadic 03:16
2. Sultan Umnaru´s Trip 03:08
3. Touareg Spaceship 04:00
4. Fulani UFO 03:03
5. Sonray Wedding Song 02:30
6. Venusian Lady 03:22
7. Toil, Sweat & Sun 06:13
8. Nomadic (Dub) 04:23

Batov Records:

"Batov Records presents ‘Nijerusalem’, a groundbreaking collaboration between Nigerien synth pioneer Mamman Sani and Berlin-based electronic artist Tropikal Camel.

Mamman Sani's electronic organ music, first recorded in 1978, made him a national hero in Niger, led to him writing the Niger’s new national anthem, and has long been cherished by aficionados for its unique blend of traditional Nigerien melodies and synth experimentation. Mamman's music embodies a sense of intimacy, echoing the presence of a solo artist in the room with the listener.

This album is the result of a serendipitous meeting at the Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda. Both artists shared a residency and studio space, which led to long recording sessions together over the course of two weeks, capturing the organic fusion of Mamman's synth melodies and Tropikal Camel's percussive electronic beats. Despite their divergent backgrounds and ages, Mamman at 73 and Tropikal Camel at 44, they found equilibrium in their collaborative process.

‘Nijerusalem’ pays homage to the warm synth sounds of the 80s while infusing them with an African electronic aesthetic. Mamman's music, rooted in Nigerien folk traditions, finds new life in this sonic exploration, resonating with authenticity and innovation.

Both Mamman Sani and Tropikal Camel draw from rich and diverse cultural backgrounds, creating a dialogue of cultural exchange and mutual respect. Mamman's heritage, with roots in the Hausa and Tuareg tribes, intersects with Tropikal Camel’s own North African and Middle Eastern roots and musical interests.

In "Nomadic", Mamman Sani captures the vibrant journey of rural nomads through a signature Nigerien swing rhythm. “Sultan Umnaru’s Trip" is a sonic narrative of a tribal leader's expedition during the French colonial era, enriched by North African percussion and live bass, reflecting the intensity of the journey.

With its waltz-like cadence, exploring the traditional Touareg rhythm found in countless folk songs across Niger, "Touareg Spaceship” beautifully encapsulates the cultural essence of the Touareg people, offering listeners a captivating glimpse into their musical heritage.

In "Fulani UFO", Mamman Sani explores the rich cultural heritage of the Fulani, a prominent tribe in Niger. Here, Assayag infuses a North African rhythm, incorporating the gimbri instrument commonly found in Moroccan Gnawa and Tunisian Stambeli music. These ritualistic musical traditions, brought to North Africa by West African slaves, serve as ecstatic medicine, enriching the sonic landscape of the song.

A tribute to the Songhai people, "Sonray Wedding Song" is inspired by a typical song sung at a river bank wedding. Which leads us neatly to “Venusian Lady", a universal ode to love, bridging cultures and origins, with Mamman's heartfelt composition, originally recorded as instrumental 50 years ago, marking its debut in a vocal rendition, sung in both English and Hausa.

The urgent "Toil, Sweat & Sun'' intertwines poignant samples with futuristic disco elements, reflecting on the solidarity shown under Niger’s colonial rule. Closing the album, "Nomadic" is transformed into an electronic dub “version”, blending pulsating basslines and reverberating echoes to create a mesmerising sonic landscape.

On ‘Nijerusalem’, Mamman Sani and Tropikal Camel's collaboration invite us into their timeless and intimate, minimalist sound world. "

Artist : Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel

Label : Batov

CAT No : BTR100LP