Salsa has been a hugely popular style in Central and West Africa since the 1940s-1950s, and the goal of Africando was to merge salsa rhythms from both sides of the Atlantic, mainly based on the African salsa tradition.
Africando was initiated by West African producer Ibrahim Sylla, Malian arranger Boncana Maiga (of Fania All Stars) and legenday charanga singer Ronnie Baro. Some of the musicians initially involved were: Pape Seck (ex member of Star Band), Nicholas Menheim (associate of Youssou N'Dour), and Medoune Diallo (formerly with Orchestre Baobab).
The first two albums were a big success both in Africa and in the rest of the world. Singer Pape Seck died in 1995, and was replaced by Gnonnas Pedro from Benin (who died August 2005) and Ronnie Baro of Orquestra Broadway.
For the latest albums, well known African musicians, such as Tabu Ley Rochereau, Koffi Olomide, Salif Keita, Sekouba Bambino, Amadou Balake; and Thionne Seck were invited. This new constellation led to the new name Africando All Stars. Whilst in the beginning, the songs were Latin classics sung in wolof language or a mix of wolof and spanish, newer songs were African classics, redone with latin rhythms and instrumentation. With both approaches, Africando has been equally successful.
Sama Thiel
Africando Lyrics
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C'est moliendo mi cafe, por muanezes el fille
C'est moliendo mi cafe, por el mercia
por moliendo mi cafe, yo tengo amore
Moliendo cafe Moliendo cafe
Moliendo cafe Moliendo cafe
Moliendo cafe Moliendo cafe
Vino vino vino vino
tabac au man qua quien
Vien, vien, vien vien
a si mi canto, quaffier une nuevo
a si mi canto moliendo cafe, p'est yor al
Moliendo cafe Mi na mien
Moliendo cafe mes woyor en pap
(to be continued)
The lyrics of Africando's song Sama Thiel revolves around the daily grind of life and the joy and happiness that can be achieved in the simple moments. The singer talks about grinding coffee in the afternoons, which is a common practice in many cultures. He sings that while he grinds his coffee, he is thinking about a girl who may be grinding her own coffee as well. The song continues with the singer expressing his love and admiration for the girl, singing that he has love while grinding his coffee.
The chorus of the song, which repeats several times throughout, is "Moliendo cafe," which translates to "grinding coffee." The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the everyday nature of the action and how it can be a source of contentment and inspiration in life. The song ends with the singer inviting others to join him in his song and his joy, saying "come, come, come, come and listen to my song, grinding coffee, for you and me."
Line by Line Meaning
Eso Moliendo mi cafe, quando les tardes
I'm grinding my coffee during the afternoons
C'est moliendo mi cafe, por muanezes el fille
It's grinding my coffee, for the love of a girl named Muanezes
C'est moliendo mi cafe, por el mercia
It's grinding my coffee, for the market
por moliendo mi cafe, yo tengo amore
Since I'm grinding my coffee, I'm experiencing love
Moliendo cafe Moliendo cafe
Grinding coffee, grinding coffee
Vino vino vino vino
Wine, wine, wine, wine
tabac au man qua quien
Tobacco in my hands, for anyone who wants it
Vien, vien, vien vien
Come, come, come, come
a si mi canto, quaffier une nuevo
This is my song, let's have a new drink
a si mi canto moliendo cafe, p'est yor al
This is my song, grinding coffee for you
Moliendo cafe Mi na mien
Grinding coffee, it's mine
Moliendo cafe mes woyor en pap
Grinding coffee, I'm going to work
Contributed by Declan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.