African Healing Dance

Jacky Essombe

M A K O S S A

A Rhythm and a Groove

The musical riches of the African continent remain veiled to the outside world to a certain extend, exerting a powerful fascination on those who come in contact with these treasures. It takes, however, more than being able to count the beat right, to become a good executer of some of the complex rhythms from the continent, due to their psycho-cultural root and context. One of those rhythms happens to be the Makossa from Cameroon.

Many by now have probably heard the word "Makossa" somewhere…it rings a bell! The name got a popularity boost in the international arena, thanks to the famous Cameroonian Manu Dibango who created a hit piece called "Soul Makossa" in the 70s. Many will also remember the plagiarism of the rock pop star Michael Jackson who illegally recorded the hook "Mamako-mamassa-mako-mako-ma-makossa" in his album "Thriller" in the song "Wanna be startin' somethin". Incidentally, Manu Dibango successfully sued Michael Jackson over that infringement.
There was another plagiarism case some few years back, prior to the "Soul Makossa" incident with another big pop star, none other than the "Soul Brother Number One" himself…James Brown. The incident was on the Single "Hustle" in the 70s. The whole tune was actually composed by a Cameroonian musician called Tala André Marie. The original song was "Hot Koki" (pronounce "ko-kee") (1). During a visit to Cameroon for a show, James Brown had received from Tala a demo of the song. Back to the U.S., some few months later, "Hustle" was published with James Brown claiming all the rights on the song. There too, a successful lawsuit was brought forth by Tala.

In both cases, the groove that brought so much covetousness came out of the Cameroonian Makossa spirit, another national pride after soccer. Cameroonian musicians are indeed very proud of their Makossa, which is in fact an ingenious mix of three other rhythms in Cameroon : Essèwè, Ambassibey and Assiko. How did that happen speaks to the high degree of creativity that took place over the years. Makossa is still evolving. There has been the "Tchamassi" rhythm by Tala Andre Marie…"Makassi" was created by Sam Fan Thomas. Both are variations of the groove. There is a plethora of Cameroonian musicians of the new generation who have interpreted the Makossa groove in so many different ways.

It is a great challenge for the Cameroonian musicians to bring the Makossa magic to the international scene for the bigger public. It will take some work of course. But, given the ingenuity that they have shown so far, in transforming this wonderful rhythm over the years, all the way from Nelle Eyoum, Eboa Lotin…etc, one can rest confident that such work will indeed be performed. A Good example of that is the work of Richard Bona for instance who has "latinized" and "jazzified" the groove more than ever before…

As some say back home : "O Bosso!" (2)

Jean-Pierre Simons

© 2003

Notes: (1) "Koki" is a cake made with grounded white small beans and mixed up with papalm oil. Not a sweet cake though.
(2) "O Bosso" in the Douala language means : "Let's move on", or "Let's move forward".

An Excellent Idea

It was strongly suggested to me by a couple of friends to get "Turquoise" published as a novel or novelette. I had thought of compiling all the episodes at some point and have them published. But I found the idea suggested to be more exciting and challenging. I will be working in that direction. So, this 12th episode of "Turquoise" is the last I will publish in my Newsletter.

I will quietly continue to write the story until its completion. The past episodes will be re-written, so as to include some details that I had left aside in order to make things fit the format of the Newsletter.

When the novel is ready, or is published, you will of course, be the first to know about it. In the meantime, the past episodes written will remain posted as usual.

I thank you for your support. Your suggestions are welcome, as always.

Amicalement,

Jean-Pierre Simons.

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