[Audio] – Rail Band – “Konowale” (1985)

Rail Band – “Konowale” (1985)

I doubt any other government-sponsored music has ever been half as groovy as this made in Mali by the Rail Band (also known as the Super Rail Band of the Hotel Buffet de la Gare, Bamako).  This was one of the first African pop albums I ever owned as a teenager, and I still love it.  Gliding along on a fretless bassline Magazine and would swoon for, my closest points of reference for this track are High-Life with its celebratory feel and sunny brass arrangements and percussion; and 70s funk-soundtracks and early disco during the bridge.  Hopefully this will send you into the weekend feeling right.