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An all-female African military band playing infectious dance music? Strange but true. Originally formed

as part of Guinean president Sékou Touré's post-independence cultural initiative in 1961, Les Amazones released one previous album in 1982. Now, with five surviving members and some new blood, they have launched a fresh musical offensive designed to invade dance floors the world over. Led by chef d'orchestre, Commandant Salematou Diallo, with rousing vocals from Lieutenant M'Mah Sylla

and propulsive percussion from Capitaines Elisabeth and Mato Camara, this is another sparkling west-African release. Ringing guitars and punchy sax over rocking rumba beats make for irresistible openers, while on the later songs it's the voices that really let fly over loping Mande rhythms. In the battle of the bands, these women have real fire-power.

[ www.sternsmusic.com ]

NIGEL WOOD
Download tracks:

Wamato, Deni Wana, Reine Nyepou