Where can I find African music like Fool's Gold's "Surprise Hotel"?

March 30, 2017 10:49 AM

I'd like to find more music like Fool's Gold's "Surprise Hotel". I've liked this song for years and now as I get back into African music I'm wondering what African bands make/ made like this? Or what genres should I look into?

This song is by a band from L.A. so I think there is probably a mish-mash of influences going into it, but I particularly the driving guitar, the beat and the bass. The style of singing is also something I like.

I know southern African music fairly well and to me this doesn't sound like mbaqanga/ maskandi/ township jive that is prevalent in South Africa. (It's difficult to describe particularly what is different, but I'd generally say that mbaqanga has guitar that is more laid back and less driving.) I've also been through this thread of Graceland-like music.

In this interview, the band lists these African influences: "soukous music, East African music, Ethiopian music, Eritrean music, Touareg desert blues music." I'm familiar with some Touareg music but I'd love suggestions for where to start in the other genres/ countries/ regions. If you think the band missed some influences/ sound-alikes please suggest them.

This is a great this previous thread and found some music through it, but I haven't found anything that particularly sounds like what I'm going for. I may have missed something, so if there's something in there that should be re-upped, please do.

posted by adrianb to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

So, they're not African at all, but Surprise Hotel reminded me of Vampire Weekend, specifically A-Punk and maybe a little Diane Young.

Sorry if this is too far off base!
posted by hydra77 at 11:32 AM on March 30, 2017

(Vampire weekend draws inspiration in part from Senegalese and Congolese music)
posted by raccoon409 at 11:45 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]

Sounds like a westernised version of the palm wine guitar sound
posted by KateViolet at 11:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]

Global Groove has an extraordinary archive of precisely classified world music to download. I associate that guitar sound with Congolese music, and the Congolese-influenced music from East Africa, maybe start with the soukous tag.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]

Surprise Hotel reminds me of some of Amadou & Mariam: Coulibaly, Senegal Fast Food, Camions Sauvage
posted by bassooner at 12:31 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]

Check out Tabu Ley Rochereau and Orchestra Super Mazembe.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]

Or perhaps this album by Shirati Jazz, which is apparently benga, has more the driving quality you’re looking for?
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I have a big collection of African music that may be just what you're into, but I don't have access to it at the moment, so I'll try to remember some of the names. I don't know if anyone has said much about Zimbabwean and Zambian music. Here's Devera Ngwena Jazz Band from Zimbabwe. Also Jonah Moyo, the Four Brothers, the lion of Zimbabwean music, Thomas Mapfumo. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone awesome, though, and it's killing me.

I'm having a harder time thinking of Zambian music, but one of my all-time favorite albums is Ba Samora by the Makishi Band. I'll have to think harder about Zambian music, and I'll add links if I think of any.

Also, highlife from West Africa, like Prince Nico Mbarga.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 1:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]

Youtube is blocked at work, so I can't listen to the clip, but Heat, Dust and Dreams by Johnny Klegg and Savuka is one of my favorite albums of all time.
posted by themanwho at 1:37 PM on March 30, 2017

Check these artists out:

Fela Kuti (Nigeria)
Manu Dibango (Cameroon)
Johnny Clegg (South Africa)

Less well know but possibly closer to Surprise Hotel:
Daby Toure (Mauritania)
Martino Atangana (Cameroon / US)
posted by Kwadeng at 1:55 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]

Franco et Le TP OK Jazz! Franco was one of Congo's greatest guitarists. You may also want to check out Sam Mangwana, who played with OKTPJ and also had a fantastic career.
posted by Fiorentina97 at 3:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]

Glad you posted this - I was not familiar with Fool's Gold. You might enjoy Tinariwen from Mali, as well as bunch of other African artists you might like on this Spotify playlist. And speaking of Spotify, one of the best ways I know to find music similar to music I already like is to create radio stations based on an artist, a playlist, or a particular song. Spotify also shows you related artists, which can be helpful. Have fun!
posted by acridrabbit at 10:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you for all the suggestions so far! I'm going through them now and there's some good stuff!
posted by adrianb at 12:39 PM on March 31, 2017