L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie, by L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie

L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie

by L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie

supported by

agutterfan 1960-1965 Mauritanian music, an update of traditional Arabic modal music with electric guitars, creating a new Afrofunk hybrid. Taken from original 7" singles. Favorite track: Kamlat.

Bartosz Groove and soul are oblivious to time. Favorite track: Douga-Sosso.

Michał Wieczorek Long lost and forgotten debut from National Mauretanian Orchestra is filled with finest, nostalgic afro funk. Favorite track: Douga-Sosso.

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Gatefold CD of L'Orchestrea National de Mauritanie. Comes with liner notes book.

Orders ship from the Sahel Sounds office in Portland, OR every Tuesday.

Includes unlimited streaming of L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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	1.	Senam-Mosso 04:17
	2.	Oumletna ("La Mone") 06:11
	3.	Kamlat 05:13
	4.	La Femme Mauritanienne 03:34
	5.	Mauritanie Mon Pays, Que J'Aime 03:54
	6.	Douga-Sosso 10:55
	7.	Chabab El-Bilad 02:09

about

Formed in 1968, Mauritania's National Orchestre was the official band of the post-colonial desert country. Led by the young Hadrami Ould Meidah and trained in Guineau Conakry under the guidance of the Bembeya Jazz, the Orchestre National was both musical group and idealogical symbol - sharing many of the aspirations of the young country. To the Mauritanian classical music, with its rigid and complex modal system, the group unabashedly added electric guitars and brass sections. Traditional epics were adapted with contemporary sounds. Multi-lingual compositions honored the diverse ethnic groups throughout the country.

The life of the National Orchestra would parallel the events shaping the nation, lasting from 1968 to 1975 - shortly before the military coup which would spell not only the end of the Orchestra, but the end of a democracy. Recordings are hard to come by. Aside from the few copies of the 7" that still exist, no other commercial releases were ever made. The remaining legacy of the Orchestra consisting of live performances and radio broadcasts, was nearly destroyed during the coup d'etat of 1978. Under orders to burn any and all recordings related to the Daddah regime, the radio archive was looted by loyal military forces. During the chaos, one heroic radio engineer snuck into the archives and salvaged the reels of the music contained here which were sequestered in his home for the past decades. Working with Hadrami Ould Meidah, radio archivists, and former members of the band, these selections highlight some of the remaining recordings of the prolific L'Orchestre National de Mauritania.

For the CD or vinyl release, visit www.sahelsounds.com or your local music retailer.

credits

released March 1, 2013

L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie

Hadrami Ould Meidah - Vocals
Gils Koné - Bass Guitar
Ibrahim "Petit" Sall - Guitar
Souleymane Ndiaye - Vocals
Mohamed "Neyfara" Vall Ould Mahmoud - Flute, Trumpet
Boylil Ould Mbareck - Trumpet
Sidaty Ould Saoud - Vocals
Soukaba Ould Ngeizh - Drums
Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mbaye
Ganne Coulibaly - Bass
Saidou Bâ - Hoddu

Text by Christopher Kirkley
Photos courtesy of Hadrami Ould Meidah
Photo restoration by Justin Cronin
Transfer by Josh Derry
Mastering by Timothy Stollenwerk

Special thanks to Bilal, Hadrami Ould Medeh, Sidi Ould Boyah, Ganne Coulibaly, Malcolm Sweeney, Afrimedia, and all the friends in Cinquieme.

Sahelsounds SS-013
Mississippi Records MRP-032

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L'Orchestre National de Mauritanie Nouakchott, Mauritania

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