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Various Artists: The Drummers of Burundi

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Real World Records
Released: 1993.09.03
Time:
 30:00
Category: World Music
Producer(s): Yorrick Benoist
Rating: ********.. (8/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.realworld.co.uk
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2004
Price in €: 1,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Les Tambourinaires du Burundi (Traditional) - 30:00

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Mbazumutima Adelin - Arranger, Drums
Baranshakaje Antime - Arranger, Drums
Ndayarinze Aquilin - Arranger, Drums
Ntakarutimana Benoît - Arranger, Drums
Ntirandekura Come - Arranger, Drums
Cimpaye Deogratias - Arranger
Mboninyeretse Dominique - Arranger, Drums
Kasper de Graaf - Art Direction, Design
Mpfayokurera Joachin - Arranger, Drums
Mpitabavuma Juvénal - Arranger, Drums
Mpitabakana Marc - Arranger, Drums
Nkunzimana Nazaire - Arranger, Drums
Nyambikiye Pasteur - Arranger, Drums
Mpitabakana Vital - Arranger, Drums
Nahimana Placide - Arranger, Drums
Congera Alchades - Arranger, Drums
Sindaharaye Donatien - Arranger, Drums
Bacanamwo Joseph - Arranger, Drums

Yorrick Benoist - Producer
David Bottrill - Engineer
Garry Mouat - Series Identity
Rob Scott - Photography

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


CD Real World CAROL-2338-2
CS Real World CAROL-2338-4

Thirty minutes of thunderous power, pure precision and sheer rapture from one of the greatest percussion ensembles in the world.



The Drummers of Burundi, part of a centuries-old tradition from the agricultural African country in the midst of assimilating itself into the greater Western market, have undertaken one album on the Real World label (known primarily for bringing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to Western audiences), via the WOMAD concert festivals. The album consists of only one track, around a half hour long. This is deceiving, as there are actually 41 specific rhythms that the drummers put out. The significance of the different rhythms is varied, with some being traditional works of honor to elders, songs of peace, and the like, but with many (or most, as they’re also trying to sell albums in the West now) simply being more "party-oriented" rhythms, showcasing the virtuosity of the drummers. This is said not to belittle the drummers, who are most definitely virtuosos, but to prepare the listener for what will be a sort of new synthesis of traditional music and newer music (almost suspiciously similar to Kodo, both in sound and in philosophy). Fans of Kodo, or other "world" drum troupes, may be shocked by the similarities inherent in the music of these African musicians, and for those that are new to the genres, something from WOMAD productions can rarely fail to please in some way, even if it has been tinkered to fit Western ears.

Adam Greenberg, All-Music Guide



Through the darkness a low rumble intensifies form the back of the stage. Gradually a series of swaying figures glide into view, huge drums balanced on their heads, beating out an insistent rhythm. The sheer power of drumming fills the hall. In Burundi, drums are sacred and represent, along with the king, the powers of fertility and regeneration which guarantee the future and prosperity of the kingdom. Through their close links with agriculture the drums have acquired symbolic associations, the skin being likened to the baby's cradle, the pegs to the mother's breasts, the body of the drum to the stomach, and so on. The origins of their performance being shrouded in ancient legend and mystery, the Drummers of Burundi channel the exuberance and creative spirit of a whole nation through these drums and the rituals surrounding them. Thirty minutes of thunderous power, pure precision and sheer rapture from one of the greatest percussion ensembles in the world.

RealWord.com



Ayub Ogada and The Drummers of Burundi
At the Corn Exchange, Cambridge; 8/2/1999

Neither of the two acts at the Corn Exchange tonight are newcomers to the scene. Both have releases on the RealWorld record label, started and managed by Peter Gabriel. Being the almost unmentioned support act to the Drummers wasn't exactly the fairest situation to be in, but the crowd that filled the Corn Exchange at 7:30pm proved Ogada's popularity amongst lovers of World/ African music.

With only a traditional hand-made lyre and shakers which kept his right foot busy throughout the performance, Ogada's performance was the simplest and most unostentatious you could possibly imagine. But the vocals that emanated from deep within the being of this man carried you along a lyrical and rhythmic journey, which was intoxicating even though you didn't understand Swahili. Obviously accustomed to playing to live audiences, Ogada introduced each song, and even got the audience to sing along in bits, albeit a tad feebly, I guess.

The Drummers made a spectacular entrance, with the Burundi drums on their heads (and these things were HUGE!) and pounding out a rhythm which reverberated round the walls. With twelve of them, this was not a sight for the faint-hearted. Swathed in costumes in the colours red, white and green, the Drummers held the audience captivated with a solid hour of vigorous drumming, leaping, prancing around, shouting out in unison and ritualistic dance, all in true Burundi style. The slight incongruity that this was a hall of predominantly white Europeans, and that the Drummers looked slightly out of place on a stark black stage which, perhaps, restricted their movements a bit, didn't seem to bother them, nor the audience. After an hours' solid drumming, they started the procession out of the hall the same way they came in, but this time with a bead or two of sweat glistening their faces and (bulgingly muscular) arms. I'm not surprised; even thinking about the amount of energy and stamina it took to carry off a stunning performance like that puts me to shame!

A truly enjoyable night, and one which proved the popularity of contemporary World/ African music in this part of the earth today.

By Kathy Tan



The Drummers of Burundi are Master Drummers from the small African country situated between Zaire and Tanzania. Originally, the Drummers of Burundi accompanied the King on his travels. The privilege of playing these drums has been handed down from father to son for generations. They are considered to be the most important representatives of the country's musical tradition.

www.musicatoxford.com



The Drummers of Burundi are the ultimate African drum experience, and intense catharsis of energy, grace and athleticism.

Daily Telegraph



The dramatic entrance of twelve statuesque drummers, dressed in their red, green and white togas balancing their huge log drums unsupported on their heads while never missing a beat is quite a spectacle. Their energetic dancing and leaping while chanting and pounding their fascinating rhythms at the same time is a joyous experience and the audience roared its approval.

The Stage
 

 L y r i c s


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