WORLD Beat
Musical milestone
New CD box set marks half a century of African independence
This year marks an important milestone for many African countries, 16 of which are celebrating 50 years of independence. The end of WWII also brought the end of European colonialism - Egypt was the first African country in the 20th century to gain independence but many had to wait until the post-colonial independence era really began in the 1960s.
Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango.
Over the past 50 years, African music has developed exponentially, from the early heady days of newly-found freedom when musicians set about localising music from Cuban, other Caribbean (mainly calypso) or Western covers by blending traditional music into the mix. This modernisation process created some of the planet's most interesting modern popular styles.
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About the author
- Writer: John Clewley
- Position: Reporter
