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Echoes of Timbuktu and Beyond in Congo Square, U.S.A.

Bilal Abdurahman
Echoes of Timbuktu and Beyond in Congo Square, U.S.A.

"Kings, Queens and lesser royal-emeshed in a web of til and toil; They crossed a sea in great despair from Timbuktu to Congo Square." This collection of music and poetry by Bilal Abdurahman is an investigation of the roots of African-American music. Abdurahman’s awareness of the unmistakable influences of African musical traditions on jazz is shown on this album as he plays various African instruments including the balaphone [balafon] and the halam[xalam] in the music which accompanies his jazz poetry.

Track Listing

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101
Images Bilal Abdurahman 12:56
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102
Interlude-Ugandan Harp. Bilal Harp Bilal Abdurahman 01:15
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103
Lament-Ugandan Harp. Bilal voice and harp. Bilal Abdurahman 01:46
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104
Transition, The-The essence of Jazz Bilal Abdurahman 01:57
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105
Blues is Born, The- Bilal(halam solo) Bilal Abdurahman 02:03
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106
Spirituals-voice and halam accomp. Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 02:46
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107
Fiddler of Congo Square--Bilal(gogi) Bilal Abdurahman 01:22
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108
Gogi Solo Bilal Abdurahman 01:39
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109
Spirits of Congo Square--Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 01:05
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110
Ancestral Ode--African Antelope Horn Bilal Abdurahman 00:46
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201
Variation I African Balaphone & Shakers Bilal Abdurahman 02:17
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202
Variation II Balaphone Bilal Abdurahman 03:01
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203
Variation III Clarinet and Balaphone Bilal Abdurahman 04:04
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204
Narration, Humming, African Balaphone. Tenor Saxophone. Bila l Bilal Abdurahman 03:13
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205
Nice Moan'in--Three Blues Narrations by Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 03:43
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206
Afriscat Rhapsody-- Composed and Played by Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 03:29
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207
Fusion--Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 04:24
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208
Congo Square Procession--Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 01:09
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209
African Memoirs--Tone Poem. Bilal Bilal Abdurahman 02:21