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Béla Fleck: Throw Down Your Heart, Tales From the Acoustic Planet Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Rounder Records
Released: 2009.03.03
Time:
 73:35
Category: Jazz, World
Producer(s): Béla Fleck
Rating:
Media type: CD
Web address: www.throwdownyourheart.com
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2013
Price in €: 1,00





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Tulinesangala - Uganda (Traditional) - 2:50
[2] Kinetsa - Madagascar (E.Radianasolo) - 4:16
[3] Ah Ndiya - Mali (O.Sangare) - 3:49
[4] Kabbi - Tanzania (A.Ngoglia) - 2:30
[5] Angelina - Uganda (Traditional) - 2:51
[6] D'Gary Jam - Madagascar, Uganda, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Cameroon (B.Fleck/E.Radianasolo/O.Sangare) - 6:15
[7] Throw Down Your Heart - Mali (Béla Fleck) - 5:07
[8] Thula Mama - South Africa (V.Mahlasela) - 3:59
[9] Wairenziante - Uganda (Muwewesu Xylophone Group) - 2:55
[10] Buribalal - Mali (A.Bocoum) - 4:32
[11] Zawose - Tanzania (Traditional) - 3:20
[12] Ajula/Mbamba - Gambia (Traditional) - 4:31
[13] Pakugyenda Balebauo - Tanzania (Warema Masiaga ChaCha) - 2:58
[14] Jesus Is The Only Answer - Uganda (Traditional) - 3:24
[15] Matitu - Tanzania (Traditional) - 4:19
[16] Mariam - Mali (B.Fleck/D.Tounkara) - 3:51
[17] Djorolen - Mali (O.Sangare) - 5:04
[18] Dunia Haina Wema / Thumb Fun - Tanzania (B.Fleck/A.Ngoglia) - 7:13

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Béla Fleck - Arranger, Audio Engineer, Audio Production, Banjo, Composer, Editing, Liner Notes, Mixing, Primary Artist
Ruth Akello - Performer
Alamutoi - Performer
Obita Alfred - Performer
Amoding - Main Personnel
Ateso Jazz Band - Arranger, Guest Artist, Primary Artist
Nana Ofori Atta - Producer
Kaiga Ayubu - Main Personnel, Performer
Obonyo B - Performer
Sekou Bah - Bass, Bass Guitar
Richard Battaglia - Audio Engineer, Engineer
Robert Battaglia - Audio Engineer, Engineer
Namuwaya Bayati - Main Personnel, Performer
Fadhili Bbata - Percussion
David Bennett - Management
Dave Bergen - Photography
Afel Bocoum - Composer, Guest Artist, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Richard Bona - Electric Bass, Guest Artist, Vocals
Okoth Bosco - Performer
Wellington Bowler - Audio Engineer, Engineer
Warema Masiaga ChaCha - Bowed Lyre, Composer, Guest Artist, Percussion, Primary Artist, Vocals
Chichina Charles - Main Personnel
Chibete The Zawose Family - Guest Artist, Performer
Chibite - Arranger, Primary Artist
Yoro Cisse - Njarka Fiddle
Jeff Coffin - Photography
Alou Coulibaly - Shaker
D'Gary - Guitar
Baisi David - Main Personnel, Performer
Kizza David - Performer
Opio David - Main Personnel, Performer
Sékou Bembya Diabaté - Djembe
Sekouba Diabate - Djembe
Toumani Diabaté - Guest Artist, Kora
Benogo Diakite - Unknown Contributor Role
Nabintou Diakite - Background Vocals
Nabintou Diakite - Background Vocals
Barou Diallo - Bass Guitar
Richard Dodd - Mastering, Remastering
Casey Driessen - Fiddle
Banning Eyre - Producer
Muwaya Faizo - Main Personnel, Performer
Ekisa Fatina - Performer
Kakaire Fatuma - Main Personnel, Performer
Mutesi Fauza - Main Personnel, Performer
Muwaya Faziri - Main Personnel, Performer
Martial Francois - Percussion
Xavier Martial François - Handclapping, Percussion, Vocals
Joel Hamburger - Photography
Eyabu James - Main Personnel, Performer
Angelic Jarju - Main Personnel, Performer
Jatta Family - Arranger, Guest Artist, Performer, Primary Artist
Frederick Jatta - Main Personnel, Performer
Jil Ekona Jatta - Main Personnel, Performer
Remi Jatta - Main Personnel, Performer
Sega Jatta - Main Personnel, Performer
Oluka J.K. - Main Personnel, Performer
Kirsten Johnson - Photography Director
Aisu Joseph - Main Personnel
Elungat Joseph - Main Personnel, Performer
Obonyo Joseph - Performer
Ongiji Joseph - Main Personnel, Performer
Ogwang K - Main Personnel, Performer
Henry Kaage - Main Personnel, Performer
Eriyabu Kabi - Main Personnel, Performer
Robert Kakaire - Performer
Andrea S. Kaluma - Main Personnel, Performer
Salimu Kasadha - Main Personnel, Performer
Badiru Kiranda - Main Personnel, Performer
Eriyada Kisubi - Performer
Kuzaima Kisubi - Main Personnel, Performer
Hasani Kitanda - Main Personnel, Performer
Vincent Komakech - Performer
Alou Kouloubali - Shaker
Bassekou Kouyate - Guest Artist, Ngoni
Jojo Kuo - Drums
Badstuter Lawl - Performer
Aryakitoi Levi - Main Personnel, Performer
Luo Cultural Association - Arranger, Guest Artist, Performer, Primary Artist
Baaba Maal - Guest Artist, Vocals
Aromo Macref - Performer
Sulai Maganda - Main Personnel, Performer
Sowali Magumba - Main Personnel, Performer
Vusi Mahlasela - Composer, Guest Artist, Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals
Mali - Guest Artist
Atto Mangret - Performer
E Manuel - Main Personnel
Eibur Stepney Manuel - Performer
Akello Maria - Main Personnel, Performer
Khalifan Matitu - Arranger, Guest Artist, Marimba
Ojobi Michael - Main Personnel, Performer
Kyakulaga Mosesi - Main Personnel, Performer
Kristen Mueller - Audio Engineer
Kristin Mueller - Assistant Engineer
Wagaluka Mukose - Main Personnel, Performer
Manisuli Musubo - Main Personnel, Performer
Aramanzani Musulo - Main Personnel, Performer
Karimu Musulo - Main Personnel, Performer
Musaiduma Mutesi - Performer
Birali Muwaya - Main Personnel, Performer
Tibita Muwaya - Main Personnel, Performer
Muwewesu Xylophone Group - Composer, Guest Artist, Primary Artist
Musulo Muzamiru - Main Personnel, Performer
Muwewesi Muzamiru - Main Personnel, Performer
Kasifa Nabirye - Performer
Safina Nabirye - Performer
Nakisenyi Women's Group - Arranger, Guest Artist, Primary Artist
S Nampina - Performer
Masitula Namudola - Performer
Zilifa Namukonge - Performer
Kasifa Namukose - Performer
Medina Namunana - Performer
Adiya Nangobi - Performer
Anania Ngoglia - Composer, Guest Artist, Thumb Piano, Vocals
Saadati Nkulega - Main Personnel, Performer
Rashid Ntamu - Main Personnel, Performer
Segun Oguntola - Producer
Nahman Ojwee - Performer
Okello - Main Personnel
Vincent Oloya - Performer
Sascha Paladino - Director, Photography, Producer
Ernest Radianasolo - Composer
Paul Riehle - Cover Design
Kakaire Robert - Main Personnel
Akello Ruth - Main Personnel
Omocha S - Main Personnel, Performer
Dhikusoka Sabasityano - Main Personnel, Performer
Abdoulie Saine - Main Personnel, Performer
Haruna Samake - Unknown Contributor Role
Haruna Samake Trio - Guest Artist
Joseph Sambou - Main Personnel, Performer
Naser Sambou - Main Personnel, Performer
Phgusiteh Sambou - Main Personnel, Performer
Habib Sangare - Bolon
Habib "Dia" Sangaré - Bolon
Oumou Sangare - Arranger, Composer, Guest Artist, Vocals
Hamma Sankare - Calabash, Vocals
Madou Sanogo - Djembe
Waiswa Sdhuma - Main Personnel, Performer
Therese Senghore - Main Personnel, Performer
Souleymane Sidibe - Karakeb
Obello Simon - Performer
Dave Sinko - Audio Engineer, Engineer, Photography
Brian Siskind - Sound Effects
Nichole Smaglick - Photography, Producer
Nyelo Stephen - Performer
Olinga Stephen - Main Personnel, Performer
Mutesi Sumaya - Main Personnel, Performer
Sulaiman Talyaka - Main Personnel, Performer
Zoumana Tereta - Sokou
Ochira Michael Toco - Performer
Djelimady Tounkara - Composer, Guitar
Traditional - Composer
Aisha Tungu - Performer
Bulaimu Wandera - Main Personnel, Performer
Magidu Wansolo - Main Personnel, Performer
Charles Were - Main Personnel, Performer
Yves Wernert - Engineer
Damon Whittemore - Audio Engineer, Engineer
Yves Wiernet - Audio Engineer
Xavier - Percussion
The Zawose Family - Primary Artist
Chiku Hukwe Zawose - Main Personnel, Performer
Julie Hukwe Zawose - Main Personnel, Performer
Lucas Ubi Zawose - Main Personnel, Performer
Pendo Hukwe Zawose - Main Personnel, Performer
Tabu Hukwe Zawose - Main Personnel, Performer

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Tales From The Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3: Africa Sessions is an album by banjoist Béla Fleck. Nicknamed "Throw Down Your Heart" after one of the songs, the album is actually a soundtrack for a film of the same name , released by Docurama Films, which he produced, about travelling through Africa, recording with many musicians from that continent as he searched for the origins of the banjo. The DVD was released by Docurama on November 3, 2009, while the Blu-ray will be released by Shout! Factory in the future. It will also be aired on Palladia in the future as well.



Bela Fleck took his banjo and traveled across Africa including visits to Uganda, Mali, Tanzania, and South Africa. At each location Bela jammed and recorded with the local stars, including kora master Toumani Diabate, guitarist D'Gary, vocalists Oumani Sangare and Baba Maal, ngoni player Baekou Kouyate, djembe player Madou Sanogo. This brief list of African stars only scratches the surface of what probably amounts to about 100 different African musicians that play on the various tracks on this album. Each track features a different group of musicians and is recorded in a different locale. The end result is a magnificent fusion of the banjo and traditional African music. There is just an enormous amount of material here with a total of 18 tracks. With so much diversity of material you are likely to find a track two that disagree with your tastes, but overall its hard to imagine any fans of Bela Fleck and/or traditional African music not loving this CD. My only criticism is it is too bad that legendary kora master Toumani Diabate only plays on one track. However, the two are currently touring the together, so if your lucky and they come to your town, you can see more of their amazing chemistry in concert.



On this third chapter in Béla Fleck's intermittent Tales from the Acoustic Planet series (that began in 1994 when he was with Warner Brothers), Throw Down Your Heart is actually a soundtrack for a film of the same name which he produced, about traveling through Africa, recording with many musicians from that continent as he searched for the origins of the banjo. As varied as Fleck's solo records and his albums with the Flecktones have been, this is easily his most varied and unusual offering. The itinerant superpicker African sojourns with film and sound crew in tow, to record with over 40 different groups and individuals in places like Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, the Gambia, and Mali. These 18 tracks reflect the wide varieties of Fleck's experience to be sure, but far more importantly, the wildly diverse musical traditions there. Some tracks feature musicians fairly well-known internationally -- such as D'Gary, Baba Maal, Vusi Mahlasela, Toumani Diabaté, Bassekou Kouyate, Oumou Sangare (his host for the Malian leg of the trip, etc) -- in ensemble pieces as well as in intimate duets, and also with musicians largely unknown outside of their homelands. The latter grouping includes the amazing vocalist and kalimba player Anania, and a women's group from Nakisenyi who were the entourage's cooks, the Luo Cultural Association in Uganda, and the Muwewesu Xylophone Group, who play a gargantuan marimba that takes eight people to play as the townspeople join in on various flutes, fiddles, and percussion on a track called "Wairzenziante." It's not a cop-out to say that this is unlike any recording you've ever heard, and resembles less a Béla Fleck recording than one of amazing African music that he was fortunate enough to be able to produce and play on. The music here is simply enchanting, utterly delightful, and welcoming to the listener in all its guises. And it's consistent. No attempt was made by Fleck to create anything exotic. In fact, given that his greatest inspirations for making this record were the wonderful field recordings he'd heard of banjo music from Africa, he deserves credit for accomplishing his aim, and keeping his aim simple and folksy. The music on this set is transformative; it is not at all revisionist, nor a conscious attempt at some jive kind of colonial fusion. It is simply the record of one American musician meeting those of another continent for the express purpose of making music together, learning their tunes, and sharing the magic of creation and expression between them. As a recording, is quality, in sound and presentation, and the wonderfully detailed notes by Fleck annotating each track, are exemplary.

Thom Jurek - AllMusic.com



This is a special album, the likes of which you won’t get to experience many times in a cloistered, Western musical experience.

A little bit of backstory: Béla Fleck, everyone’s favorite (or least favorite, depending on your tastes and outlook) virtuoso instrumentalist takes a bit of a soul-searching journey. Fleck undertook Throw Down Your Heart, a project to create a movie about his travels and explorations through Africa, searching out the origins of his musical love: the banjo, and making some great music along the way. It is perhaps a little known fact that the banjo’s origins lay in Earth’s oldest inhabited territory, rather than in its more commonly known trappings as a staple of Appalachian and rural American music.

Fleck’s experience turned out to be richly rewarding both personally and professionally. It allowed Fleck a chance to forge a more lasting connection with his younger half-brother Sascha Paladino (the director), and truly understand the nature of the banjo: that its sound and power derives from, and is reflective of, the experiences of its creators, African slaves. The trip also yielded this fantastic album, a joyous slice of Africa courtesy of Fleck’s musical passion.

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment for this album, and the most important to Fleck’s soujourn, is that it achieves the proper balance between musicians from the many countries Fleck visits (The Gambia, Mali, Uganda, South Africa, Madagascar), and Fleck’s own not-so-inconsiderable talents. With any virtuoso player, there is always the risk of their playing overshadowing all other pieces of an album. Wisely, the focus is kept squarely on the African musicians, while Fleck does what any respecting musician would do: he blends in, enhancing the compositions of his newfound collaborators. This effortless blending of musical language is precisely what makes this album so telling and so wondrous. Here, there is no cliche in treating music as universal language, it is clearly fact. Each composition is refreshingly original and often deeply intimate.

Fleck had already begun writing title track “Throw Down Your Heart” before he had set foot on the ancient continent.  The phrase comes from the translation of the town named Bagamoyo, a Tanzanian town that lies on the eastern coast of Africa, where slaves were shipped in potentially greater number to the east than the west for sale in the Middle East.  When slaves were brought to the shore here, looking over the Indian Ocean, it is said they realized they would never see their homes again.  So they “threw down their hearts.”  Listening to the track, you can hear in the proud yet forlorn sounds that Fleck already understood much of the cultural context and distress behind his instrument and its rich sound, and you suspect he’ll have no problem fitting right in with everyone he meets.

Moving and assertive vocals form the center to the opening track, “Tulinesangala,” where Fleck’s relatively sparse banjo provides ample space for, and sounds brittle juxtaposed to Uganda’s Nakisenyi Women’s Group.  Anania Ngoliga, a blind virtuosic multi-instrumentalist, lets loose vocal acrobatics on “Kabibi” that are dizzying: a flurry of notes rivaling Fleck’s banjo in dexterity and range, and radiating an effervescent, carefree humor.  Similarly, “Mariam” sees Fleck meeting his musical equal in the ferocious, masterful guitarist Djelimady Tounkara.

Fleck handily connects with another guitarist (Madagascan D’Gary), their dueling strings pirouetting like Kirov dancers on “Kinetsa.” Together with an all-star cast on “D’Gary Jam,” they create an enthralling Afro-jazz stew, managing to house a stunning diversity of regional sounds and styles in one seamless track that feels atmospheric, at times approaching ethereality.  The jam also happens to feature the force of nature that is Toumani Diabaté’s kora.  ”Angelina” sounds like pure, unadulterated celebration, like an entire village in Mali (or at least the co-credited Luo Cultural Association) threw Fleck a welcoming party that culminated in a giant, exhausting jam session.  ”Ajula / Mbambia” comes closest to Fleck’s mission statement as he plays in The Gambia with the Jatta family who specialize in the ancestral banjo, the akonting.

Standing back from the whole, you hear a clear difference between the Malinese compositions from everything else.  The diverse and progressive nature of the music encompassing both traditional and modern elements (“Mariam,” “Ah Ndiya”), the cross-cultural superstars of the highly-developed music scene like  Diabaté and Oumou Sangaré (a prominent voice in the Wassoulou genre that gained traction in early 90′s Mali).  ”Djorolen” is jaw-droppingly gorgeous with Sangaré’s intimate vocals duetting perfectly with Fleck’s delicate picking, and possibly the standout track on the record.

There is such a vast range of styles and sounds on display here that I’m positive everyone can find something to love. Not only is this Fleck’s most listenable release, but perhaps the best, and certainly the most ambitious (and one of my favorites of the year).

Greg Szeto - 3. September, 2009
www.auralstates.com
 

 L y r i c s


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 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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