Search - Ernesto Djedje :: Le Roi du Ziglibithy

An Ivoirian Legend!

ritasteve | Los Angeles, CA USA | 06/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ernesto Djédjé, who died in 1983 at the age of 35, at the peak of his popularity, was a singer, guitarist and band leader from the Ivory Coast (West Africa). He studied in Paris in the late 1960's, but returned in the early 1970's to Abidjan, where he formed a band and developed a musical style known as the ziglibithy. Ziglibithy is a modern, electrified dance music based on the traditional music of the Bété ethnic group of the Ivory Coast. It is generally not quite as fast as Congolese soukous.



This CD is a compilation of two of Djédjé LP's, "Ziboté" and "Le Roi du Ziglibithy", both released in 1977. Djédjé carries the lead vocals, backed by intricate drumming (a Western-style trap set, as well as African drums), solo guitar lines, and electric organ; however, what is particularly striking about Djédjé's band, Les Ziglibithiens, is the prominent role played by the horn section, particularly the tenor sax and trumpets. The tunes on this CD were recorded in the studio, but seem to have been laid down without overdubs.



Ernest Djédjé remains a legendary figure in the Ivory Coast today (e.g., Gadji Celi's 2003 tune entitled "Ernesto Djédjé"). I first heard these tunes on cassette in Bamako, Mali, in 1985 and they have been an essential part of my music collection ever since. I am delighted to see them now made widely available on CD.



Highly recommended for all who are seriously interested in West African popular music!"