Music Reviews
Groupe RTD

Groupe RTD

The Dancing Devils of Djibouti

Ostinato

Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa. The former French Colony is surrounded by Somalia, Ethiopia and Eretria and the Red Sea. It’s the smallest country in continental Africa but is hugely important to trade and shipping in the region. While the music of Ethiopia and Somalia have gained world-wide attention, the music of Djibouti hasn’t gone far beyond their borders The reissue label, Ostinato, gained access to the archives of Radiodiffusion-Televsion Djibouti with the intent to put together a compilation from old recordings. They quickly changed their plans when they heard Groupe RTD playing in the studio next door.

Groupe RTD is the national ceremonial band of Djibouti. By day, they perform for presidential and national events. When not on official duty, they’re a fantastic dance band. Ostinato negotiated to get access to Groupe RTD for three days to make the first record by an artist from Djibouti to ever gain internationally release.

For the recording sessions, Groupe RTD ditched the formal, ceremonial stuff for the free spirited after hours jams. As befitting a crossroads nation, the sounds the group explores are a mixture of influences. There are clearly elements of Somali funk and Ethiopian jazz. Bollywood vocal styles and Jamaican reggae are all in the mix too. The rushed recording sessions didn’t hurt the performances. There are a few bits of conversation and studio noodling included in the mix. The sound has a joyous, in the moment spontaneity.

The Dancing Devils of Djibouti is a fantastic release to mark the shift from being a purely reissue label to documenting the living music of Africa. Ostinato has been providing a great service in their effort to preserve recorded music that might otherwise be lost. Bringing current musicians to worldwide attention confirms that music making is an ongoing and important element of life.

http://ostinatorecords.bandcamp.com


Recently on Ink 19...

Too Much Too Young, The 2 Tone Records Story

Too Much Too Young, The 2 Tone Records Story

Print Reviews

Daniel Rachel gives us a comprehensive account of the 2 Tone Records label and the innovative ska bands who fueled the movement in Too Much Too Young, the 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism, and the Soundtrack of a Generation.

Friday the 13th (2009)

Friday the 13th (2009)

Screen Reviews

Jason Vorhees is back in 2009’s soft reboot of Friday the 13th, and it is time for a re-evaluation of the most recent film in the long running franchise.

9 to 5

9 to 5

Archikulture Digest

Three strong women oust their evil boss and bring reasonable policies to the workplace in this hit musical.

Permanent Damage: Memoirs of an Outrageous Girl

Permanent Damage: Memoirs of an Outrageous Girl

Print Reviews

Possessing all the coziness of a gawk-worthy car crash, Permanent Damage, the salacious memoir from the notorious, outrageous “groupie” Miss Mercy Fontenot and celebrated pop culture journalist Lyndsey Parker, provides a surprise payoff.