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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZTOURE KUNDAAfrican 10-piece fusion band from Senegal, formed '75 by eldest brother Amadou Tile (d '83) with Sixu, Ismaila and Ousmane. Born in the Gasamance region of Soninke parents, the four had trad. Catholic mission education, became a singing/percussion troupe playing dance music known as djabadong, a Senegalese rhythm with strong reggae resonance; they moved to Paris '79 and began to experiment. At first tending to acoustic in live performance with voices, percussion, balaphon and kora, in time they adopted electric guitar and synth, also French, Antillean and Camaroonian musicians. Sixu and Osmaila made a record '77 in Paris, but Amadou's arrival there '79 sparked off creativity; they played regularly in Paris environs, released albums Emma Africa and Turu '80-1. Amadou's death seemed to concentrate their vision; memorial Amadou Tilo that year was followed by West African tour, return to Paris, acoustic LP Casamance Au Clair De Lune; film of tour was seen on French TV and increasing popularity was marked by live shows in France and UK, 2-disc Live, Paris-Zinguinchor; in '85 EP Emma, 12} single Toure Kunda, LPs Natalie and Live; Best Of on Celluloid. |