Afrobeat from Amsterdam. Why not? There are enough Ghanaians living in the Bijlmer, so that is fine. But wait a minute. Mdungu consists of a contigent of white men. Is that possible, is that allowed and does that sound? The opening number immediately answers that question with a convincing YES. See Fela Kuti grinning from heaven as Thijs van Milligen ravages his alto sax in a way the old afro beat
… master did himself. Mdungu does not only focus on afrobeat, the mandingo music of Mali and the Senegalese mbalax are also expertly tackled. Everything expresses a deep love for African music. Partly due to the vocal contributions of Ebou Gaye Meda and Sheikh Tijan Samba, you have the impression that producer Justin Adams (known for his work for Natacha Atlas and Tinariwen) picked them from some dusty market square in West Africa. But no, it is just Dutch and just good. (PdK)more
