Roland Tchakounté - Nguémé & Smiling Blues (2016)

Tracklist
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01. Chubata Africa
02. Nju Bwoh Man
03. Ouba Kih Kamagnam
04. Melena
05. Ngueme & Smiling Blues
06. Meden Mbibou
07. Kane Bwoga Africa
08. Meba Gangsta
09. Tchuite Blues Noum Seou
10. Immigrés
11. Hey Hey, Kanen Baby
12. Oulen Nefa Fide (Jolie cœur)
13. Misery

American blues has been blended with African traditions and sung in the Bamileke language by Cameroon-born and France-based guitarist/vocalist Roland Tchakounté. Initially influenced by R&B performers, including Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Marvin Gaye, Tchakounté was drawn to the music's roots after "discovering" the blues and boogie music of late-bluesman John Lee Hooker. The experience was so profound that, as he explained during a 1999 interview, "I immediately brought together American blues and the African blues -- these two musics had the same source. I, thus, had discovered my way." Tchakounté -- who also cites the Rolling Stones, Iggy Pop, Bruce Springsteen, and Van Morrison as influences -- studied African percussion before switching to the guitar. After playing bass and singing for a series of local bands, he launched his solo career in the mid-'90s. Following the release of his self-produced, debut solo album Afro Blues in 1999, he toured with a band that featured French guitarist Jean-Pierre Vimont, bassist Thierry Mothier, keyboards player Christian Rousset, and drummer Jean Luc Deshayes.

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