News
Afro-Tema is hoping to reconvene its
traditional monthly gigs in Cambridge in the near future. As
soon as confirmed, details will be posted on our
Events page.
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Reviews
Afro-Tema - Dance
music with a difference at monthly live music night
Cambridge Explorer – August 2006
"Wander past Cellar Bar 8, just
behind the Grafton centre, on the first Friday of each month, and
your ears may be turned by some intoxicating rhythms coming up from
below street level. For one night each month the subterranean venue
is transformed into a small corner of Africa, as Afro- Tema take over
for the evening, playing some of the tightest, most danceable music
that Cambridge can offer on a regular basis. Afro-Tema are a
band of African and European descent who play infectious
music that is inspired by the Senegalese roots of singer and
keyboardist Makhou N’Diaye, who also teaches at regular African
drumming workshops around the region.
Afro-Tema’s music ranges from
modern West African funk, reminiscent of the likes of Fela Kuti, to
languid reggae. The ‘mbalax’ sound of Senegal, which is in itself
heavily influenced by salsa, is often a starting point, but the
band’s sound is dominated by chiming guitars and rhythms which build
and build over the course of songs lasting well over ten minutes –
long enough to get even the most reluctant toes tapping. If the
music is not easily compartmentalised, it is definitely infectious,
and every month the floor at Cellar Bar soon fills up with surely
some of the most energetic dancing seen at any of the city’s club
nights. For fans of world or folk music this is a must, and for fans
of dance music who want to experience something different it’s well
worth a detour away from your usual haunts."
Afro-Tema
at Cellar Bar 8
Cambridgeshire Agenda
– November 2006
"Cellar Bar 8 has
had many incarnations over the years but now seems to have settled
down into a venue covering a wide variety of musical genres.
One of the more
original nights there is Afro-Tema. Afro-Tema's music is a
dedication of West African rhythms, blended with afro-latin sounds,
hi-life, jazz, reggae beats and traditional Senegalese mbalax.
The melodic arrangements feature strong vocals and solid African
percussion, sweet sax and some simply great sinewy guitar lines,
creating a sound that is exiting, warm-spirited and highly
infectious."
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Audio
Listen to samples of
My Mind (0.5MB),
Di-la-woo (0.2MB), and
Kulumba (0.5MB).
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Video
Coming soon.
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Photo gallery
Coming soon.
