Aug 29/05
Synth-free Ivoire
In another concerted effort to get more Ivoirian music onto the site, here’s Benn loxo listener, Ian, with a guest post:
“After Cote d’Ivoire gained independence in 1960, Abidjan became the center of the francophone African music industry. Huge stars from all over the continent recorded there. Like many other French-speaking African countries, CI was mostly dominated by Afro-Cuban salsa, Ghanaian highlife and Congolese soukous; for the most part, local styles were overshadowed by the slick, studio-produced music of big-name artists.
Ernesto Djedje, from the Bete ethnic group of southwest CI, was originally a school teacher. He played guitar in his spare time, mostly copying American soul and Congolese rumba. Seeing the lack of a “native” Ivoirian pop style to rival those of neighboring countries such as Guinea and Ghana, he was inspired to modernize a traditional Bete rhythm called “ziglibithy.” He combined a traditional rhythm section with a modern arrangement of guitars, bass and horns to develop the unique sound that is considered to be CI’s first original pop style. It was a huge hit that dominated the airwaves and discos for much of the late ’70s.
Unfortunately, Djedje’s success was short-lived. He released only two records, then died in 1983 of a mysterious stomach ailment blamed, inevitably, on sorcery. Some lesser-known Bete artists continued to play ziglibithy with some success, but the style was overshadowed in the ’80s by zouglou and, especially, the reggae of megastar Alpha Blondy.”
Thanks for the great music, Ian. I really enjoyed this pick. You can buy these tunes on the 2001 release, Le roi du ziglibithy available at Stern’s.
Ernesto Djedje - Assouna
Ernesto Djedje - Zibote
August 29th, 2005 at 4:46 pm
Thanks for the great reviews and music. You have certainly made up for the quiet during your recent vacation.
August 29th, 2005 at 9:32 pm
Absolutely stonking!!!!!!!
August 30th, 2005 at 8:39 am
Another interesting review & mp3, but why the very low 32 kbps?
August 30th, 2005 at 10:48 pm
[...] Benn loxo has a guest blog about a guitarist from the Cote d’Ivoire who brought a traditional musical form called ziglibithy into a musical world dominated by post-independence francophone pop stars. [...]
September 4th, 2005 at 10:14 am
YEAH! Ernesto is one of my favorites! I’m considering naming my dog after him. I picked this record up on the streets of Abidjan and it flipped my lid entirely. “Zadie Bobo” is my joint. Recognize the bassline from anywhere?
September 5th, 2005 at 8:49 pm
So funny, my friend brought back to Montreal the cassette of Ernesto couple years ago… and I liked a lot.
I’m really surprised to see that here ! That’s awesome !
September 7th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
thanks for this v.interesting.
September 14th, 2005 at 2:17 pm
Zibote is just THE best!!!! WHOUHOU!!!!
September 18th, 2005 at 11:32 am
Great stuff! however did they fit these huge 35 minute tracks onto vinyl?! the grooves must have been squeezed incredibly tightly together!
September 29th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
[...] I’ve been away and/or too busy to write for the last couple weeks, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been collecting some great tracks to post on the site. I wanted to come back with a b-bang, so today we’re going to hear some rocking late 70s Chadian music to get us back on track. It follows nicely from the (amazing) Ernesto Djedje stuff we listened to recently. ..and I’ve lined up about 10-20 posts for the next couple weeks, so stay tuned. [...]
January 8th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
[...] Today we have a meeting of old and new. Some previously posted Ernesto Djedje and some Petit Denis, both from Ivory Coast. The Petit Denis song is about an Ernesto Djedje imitator who’s got the looks, got the voice, but just doesn’t have the talent. If you can understand French have a listen to the lyrics.. they’re pretty funny. [...]
February 24th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
Hey, thanks for giving Ernesto Djedje his props. I just discovered him a few months ago and can’t get enough. The only problem is, it’s really hard to find his stuff. Do you have any recommendations for places to find more ziglibithy, especially more Ernesto?
February 25th, 2006 at 11:31 am
I actually don’t know where to find more. I have a couple 45s and an LP I picked up in Dakar, plus CD that a Benn loxo listener passed to me. I’ve definitely seen albums for sale on the web, though.
September 9th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
[...] Remember Super Mama Djombo? A framed, original record jacket for their first release album, Na Cambança, hangs on the wall in my living room beside some Ernesto Djedje 45s and an Orchestra Veve LP. [...]
March 29th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Thanks for sharing those songs. Unfortunately, I didn’t download them. If you can send them at my e-mail address, that’ll help me a lot.