Martin Atangana - Recording

MOT SONGO

Martino Atangana is back with a new album, MOT SONGO, that takes you to another African tour. In this album he and African Blue Note, the best musicians from Africa, meld Afro-pop and jazz with the traditional music of Cameroon, Ghana, Congo, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Tracks:

1. OPERATION LOS. A tribute to Martin Messi Me Nkonda and his band Los Camaroes, pioners of modern Cameroonian music. Makossa with lyrics in Ewondo.

2. MOT SONGO (The songo man). While other people are involved in productive activities, he devotes his time to playing the songo game (see album's front cover painting). Bikutsi with lyrics in Ewondo.

3. JUJU JAM. Jam session. Afro-Jazz based on Juju rhythm.

4. MBEMBE MOT (The nice guy). I dedicate this song to all men of good will. Afro-Jazz based on bikutsi rhythm.

5. COUSCOUS CONGOLAIS. Soukous song, strongly recommended for your African dance exercises and parties. Have fun.

6. MAM YADZAL (Things from home). High life medley with lyrics in Ewondo.

7. FULL TIME. Afro-jazz based on Senegalese Mbalax.

8. SAY WHAT. Afro-beat.

9. SOCAFRIC. Come and dance this "socafrican" music. Afro-caribbean rythm with lyrics in English.

10. RED MOUNTAIN. Mo'jazz

AFRICAN BLUE NOTE
Martino Atangana - guitars; lead and background vocals
Jojo Kuo - drums; percussions (1,2,3,4,5,6,9)
Azouhouni Adou - keyboards
Mamadou Ba - bass (1,3,4,6,7,8,9,10)
Todd Horton - trumpet; background vocals (8)

Aaron Johnston - drums (7,8,10)
Fred Doumbe - bass (2,5)
Curtis Fowlkes - trombonne
Michael Weisberger - tenor saxophone
Aaron Heick - alto saxophone
Gino Sitson - background vocals (1,2,5,9)
Alioune Faye - sabar (7)
Kofo "The Wonderman" - talking drums (3)

Now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/atangana2

OYENGA FAM

It was worth the wait. For years, Martino Atangana, one of the most talented African guitarists today, has played on albums of artists from three continents. Finally in 2003, he has rewarded our wait with Oyenga Fam, his first album as a singer, writer, composer, and producer. A blend of traditional and modern sounds, Oyenga Fam offers a wide variety of African rhythms expertly interpreted by African Blue Note.

Tracks:

1. OKANG'ALIMA. Let's go greet Okang'Alima. A mixture of Cameroonian Enyengue and Congolese Soukous, with lyrics in Ewondo.

2. OKON MAKON. "My illness". According to all the doctors I consulted, my illness is called love and my medication is the woman I love. Bitkusi rhythm from south Cameroon with lyrics in Ewondo.

3. TUTU YEAH. You have been in my heart. Congolese Soukous with lyrics in Lingala.

4. OYENGA FAM. "The Man' scream", usually expressed by Beti males in rejoicing times. Afro-Jazz based on Bikutsi rhythm.

5. NNAM AFRICA. Stop wars in Africa, the beautiful land of my ancestors. Afro-pop music with lyrics in Ewondo.

6. MADJOBAN. "I'm sorry" grandma, that I went abroad without getting your blessing first". Bikutsi with lyrics in Bulu.

7. MOUVEMENT BANTU. Medley. Assiko rhythm from south Cameroun with lyrics in Ewondo and Bulu.

8. OKANG' ALIMA. This is a short version of track 1.

9. DANA. This song is dedicated to Dana, a drummer I worked with in Nice, France in the late 1980s. Afro-jazz based on juju rhythm from Nigeria.

Now available at CD Baby!! http://cdbaby.com/cd/atangana

Now available at Amazon!

Martin Atangana - Guitar, Vocals

African Blue Note:
Todd Horton - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Azouhouni Adu - Keyboards
Mamadou Ba - Bass
Jojo Kuo - Drums

Rich Nichols - Trumpet
Sylvain Leroux - Tenor Saxophone
Aaron Heick - Alto Saxophone (5)
Francis Mbappe - Background vocals (3,6,7,9)