Les Amazones d’Afrique are an all-female collective of West African musicians, campaigning for gender equality. Angelique Kidjo, Kandia Kouyat?, Mamani Keita, Mariam Doumbia (Manadou and Mariam), Mariam Kon?, Mouneissa Tandina, Nneka, Pamela Badjogo and Rokia Kon? hold a strong pedigree and this is a rare collaboration. Running on funk and blues with dabs of dub; ancient rhythms blending with their Western appropriated cousins, Les Amazones d'Afrique sound like an aural actuation of the new melting pot cities in Africa. Wah wah guitars, distorted thumb piano, dreamy chords and soulful singing over a pneumatic beat give way to the kind of Afrobeat best heard as the dawn rises in a muddy festival field. Liam Farrell (aka Doctor L - Tony Allen, Mbongwana Star) had a firm hand in leading the edgy, industrial feel to the production. Les Amazones d’Afrique fight inequality and violence towards women and support The Panzi Foundation, who treat women with gynaecological injuries in the Democratic Republic Of Congo. For fans of Amadou and Mariam, Sidiki Diabat?, Tony Allen, Oumou Sangar?, Fatoumata Diawara, Rokia Traor?, Ali Farka Tour?, Mbongwana Star, Staff Benda Bilili.
