African Music

This collection of field recordings made by ethnomusicologist Laura C. Boulton was originally issued in 1957 on Folkways Records. Recorded by Boulton during one of her expeditions to Central and West Africa, it provides a glimpse of traditional music from Sudan, Benin, Cameroon, Liberia, Mali, and Nigeria. Liner notes include a track-by-track discussion of the music, its instrumentation, and its cultural context. Some translations of lyrics are also provided.

Track Listing

101	War Song (1) Malinké bulon bata player and drummers, Bankoumana, Mali	02:49
102	Song of Praise Malinké balafon ensemble with voice, Bankoumana, Mali	01:58
103	Song for Chief Bambara musician playing kora and humming, Bamako, Mali	02:56
104	Dance Song Bambara musicians playing flutes, iron bell, and drums, Bamako, Mali	02:24
105	War Song (2) Tuareg man singing with tehardent, Timbuktu	02:24
106	Herding Song / Marriage Song / Lullaby Tuareg musicians and singers, Timbuktu	03:14
201	Wrestling Match Song Bakweri men, Buea, Cameroon	02:03
202	Orphan's Wail Bakweri man singing with musical bow, Buea, Cameroon	02:31
203	Battle Signals Kru horn players from Sasstown, Liberia, recorded in Lagos	02:19
204	Ceremonial Songs for Oba's Wives and Oba Edo (Bini) royal musicians, Benin City, Nigeria	03:22
205	Secret Society Dance Song Edo (Bini) members of Ashiko drum society, Ifon, Ondo province, Nigeria	02:04
206	Secret Society Drums Edo (Bini) members of Ashiko drum society, Ifon, Ondo province, Nigeria	02:43