My friend Phoebe studied abroad in Senegal. Wait, was she studying there or did she just go there during her college years? I don’t really remember. What I do remember is how to speak a few phrases in Wolof. “Wau wau” is “Yes! Yes!” and “Deh-det wie” is “No way!” and “Dama dof!” means “I’m an idiot!” Maybe I don’t remember as much as I thought I did. Then again, it’s been four-plus years since she taught me Wolof expressions.
Mor Thiam (born Mor Dogo Thiam) is a Senegalese drummer, cultural historian, entertainment consultant and is the father of famed singer Akon. Mor’s last name is pronounced, “Chahm.” Got it? Good.
According to Wikipedia, he’s a member of the Dogon ethnic group, played drums before he turned eight years old, and his family members have all used drums to help tell the story of Senegal’s Wolof people. He’s performed with Freddie Hubbard (dude, fucking ‘Breaking Point’!? Or ‘Open Sesame’!? Those records kick some serious ass). He currently resides in Orlando, Florida (insert Book Of Mormon joke here) and performs regularly at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort.
I’m not sure how I feel about that last sentence in his Wikipedia profile. Something about him now performing in the Disney Animal Kingdom rubs me the wrong way.
Oh well. Enjoy ‘Drums Of Fire’.
Mor Thiam
Dini Safarrar (Drums Of Fire)
(Rite Record Productions, 1973)
RapidShare DL Link
01. Ayo Ayo Nene (Blessing For The New Born Baby)
02. Sindiely (Song For The Black Beauty)
03. Kele Mubana (Overpain And Struggle To Black)
04. Kanfera (Return Of Fisher)
05. Africa (Dedication To All The People)
