Stern's Music at cdRoots

Sterns Music

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Please note!
Most of our CDs have been imported from Europe or Asia. They are not all shrink-wrapped, and I am not going to con you by wrapping them here just to make you think they have been sterilized in America. I guarantee that the CDs and the contents are all brand new and in perfect condition. Whenever I can, I use recycled shipping materials. They may not look as pretty on the outside, but they save money and keep the trash dumps a little bit emptier.
Thanks- Cliff, cdRoots

Stern's is probably one of the most repsected independent labels around, with a long track record of releasing some of the most important and best African recordings, for many years, including Salif Keita, Africando, Papa Wemba and Kekele. I am pleased to offer a large, select group of their titles, and I am happy to special order any others you might like, from Stern's or their affiliated labels.

Wamato - Les Amazones de Guinee
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-wamato)
Les Amazones de Guinée are a unique and quite amazing institution within African music. Since the early 60s they have criss-crossed the continent, with only occasional forays beyond, to help bring their particular brand of joy to the cause of women’s emancipation. Yet this is only their 2nd album, tight yet fluid, with the loping rhythms so particular to Guinea, bitter-sweet harmonies and vocals full of conviction. As the cry of “Retour en force des Amazones!” at the beginning of this album attests, these women demand to be heard. The Amazones are back with a vengeance. This is the gold-standard for female (or any other) bands in Africa and an enduring symbol of African women’s emancipation. Highly recommended. Listen

Authenticité: The Syliphone Years - Balla Et Ses Balladins
$22.99
(cdRoots# st-balladins)
2 CD collection by one of Guinea's most interesting and influencial bands. Listen

N'der Fouta Tooro Vol. 2 - Seck, Mansour
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-seck-fouta2)
The legendary guitarist of Dande Lenol occasionally steps out on his own, and this recording (along with Volume 1) is one of the best guitar recordings to come out of the region. Direct and untainted by technology (save for some electric bass), musician and singer Seck is joined by guitars, hoddu, kora (the late, great Kaouding Cissoko), ngoni and percussion, and the guest vocalist Ousmane Hamady Diop on this second of the series of deep roots from Senegal.

Bel Canto (2 CDs) - Mbilia Bel
$22.99
(cdRoots# st-belcanto)
2 CDs of crucial recordings of Mbilia Bel, the queen of Congolese music and one of the most popular pan-African stars throughout the 1980s, selected from Tabu Ley's 'Genidia' label by Gerald Seligman with additional notes by Ken Braun. These recordings represent an artist at the peak of her career, and included is a bonus track, the hard-to-get single version of 'Mpeve Ya Longo' - the recording that started her career. Beautifully packaged with a full-color, 44-page booklet with detailed notes, lyric translations, a discography and rare photos. Highly recommended.

Martina - Africando
$12.99
(cdRoots# st-africando-martina)
Yes, they are back again and their 2003 release show why they are ever the quintessential Afro-Latin connection.

African Typic Collection - various
$12.99
(cdRoots# st-typic)
A classic collection of extended dancefloor hits in the pan-African style of the 80s by Sam Fan Thomas, Charlotte Mbango, Tam Tam 2000 and Koko Ateba, at a really nice price

The Syliphone Years (2 CDs) - Bembeya Jazz National
$20.99
(cdRoots# st-bemsyl)
Newly repackaged set of two CDs with a 44-page illustrated booklet and 27 tracks from the 1960s and 70s, in chronological order from their first single, 'République Guinée,' a celebration of Guinea's independence, to 'Petit Sékou,' one of their last recordings for the Syliphone label. Those shrill horns, those watery, reverbed guitars, that heavy bass and percussion... and those voices! This is damned near perfect African pop. Highly recommended!

The Voice of Lightness 1961-77 (2 CDs) - Tabu Ley Rochereau
$21.99
(cdRoots# st-3027-28)
This 2 CD set is comprehensive look at trhe legendary Congolese artist's career in recordings from the 60s and 70s. Beautifually packaged with excellent notes by Ken Braun. Essential work by a ground breaking singer and bandleader. Highly recommended.

The Classic Guinean Guitar Group - African Virtuosos
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-virtuosos)
instrumental recordings made in Conakry and Abidjan in the 70s and 80s. They were essentially a Diabate family band, the four Diabate brothers playing acoustic guitars along with another guitarist or two, a kora player and one or two percussionists. Their style was rooted in traditional Mande music for stringed instruments but displayed their knowledge and love of Arabic taqasim, Spanish flamenco and even French jazz manouche. Still brilliant after all these years.

Belle Epoque Volume 1: Soundiata - Rail Band
$19.99
(cdRoots# st-rail1)
These 2 CDs take you back to a time, as the liner notes put it, a penniless Salif Keita was 'still plucking his old Chinese guitar under a tree, forlorn and desperate, lamenting the human condition...' But the National Railways Of Mali had the Buffet Hotel by the railway station in the heart of Bamako and their house band was simly The Rail Band. Their first singer was Salif Keita, their second, Mory Kante. So here are first recordings of artists and a music that went on to help change the way that African music was perceived outside of Africa. It's historic, but more inportant, it's just plain great music. Includes full-color, 20-page booklet with notes detailing the history of the band plus full-page reproductions of the original albums covers.

Authenticite - The Syliphone Years: 1965-1980 - Orchestres Nationaux and Federeaux
$19.99
(cdRoots# st-authentic2)
2 CD set, with excellent packaging and notes, of classic, 'golden age' music from Guinea's finest ensembles in recordings from 1965 to 1980

Ketukuba - Africando
$16.99
(cdRoots# st-africando06)
The 2006 release by this now seminal Afro-Cuban band is a tribute to the late Gnonnas Pedro, Benin's favorite son, who sang with the band from 1996 until his death in 2004. The title song, 'Ketukuba' was his last recording.

Orientation: Egypt, India, Senegal - Thione Seck
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-orient)
At the same time that Youssou N'Dour was formulating his Egypt project, former Star Band de Dakar and Orchestra Baobab star Thione Seck was creating an even more adventurous exploration of the relationship between south and east, Orientation. Recorded between 1999 and 2002, and produced by Ibrahima Sylla and François Breant, more than 40 Egyptian, Indian, French and Senegalese musicians were involved in this project. HIGHLY recommended!

Midnight in Mali - various
$16.99
(cdRoots# st-midnight)
It can't get much better than this: a live concert with some of Mali's best and most interesting performers: guitarist Djelimady Tounkara, balafonist Keletigui Diabaté, n'goni master Basekou Kouyaté and singer Dieneba Seck with Medina N'Diaye (kora, vocal), Samba Sissoko (percussion), Salif Sissoko (percussion), Mariam Tounkara (vocals), Alou dembele (bass), Zoumana Tereta (sokou-violin), Vieux Kanteall (kamalen n'goni) and all under the direction of guitarist Habib Koité.

Kinavana - Kekele
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-kekele06)
It traveled from Congo to Cuba to Congo.... some say from Cuba to Congo to Cuba. No matter the origins, the roots of rumba are too intertwined to separate anymore, and the music is as strong today as it was at its birth. On their 2006 recording, Kékélé have created a tribute to Cuban songwriter, singer and guitarist Guillermo Portabales with a solid set, joined by legendary saxman Manu Dibango, singer Madilu "System" Bialu, the grande dame of Congolese music Mbilia Bel and some of New York's finest including Nelson Hernandez and singer Isabel Martinez. Rock solid roots!

Nyboma Mwan'dido and Kamale Dynamique - Nyboma et Kamale Dynamique
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-nyboma05)
Classics from one of the great stars of Congolese music - 10 of his greatest hits, recorded with his best band from 1981 to 1985. Fine music from that magic moment when soukous was still made by musicians and not machinery.

The Truth - Dieneba Seck
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-truth)
A little heard but fantastic singer from Mali accompanied by an ensemble of voices, acoustic bass, percussion, ngoni, soukou (violin), flute and guitar. Simple, wonderful and simply wonderful.

Belissimo - Mbilia Bel
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-mbelissimo)
More slick, straight-ahead Congolese pop by a woman synonymous with the genre. Nothing new, nothing startling. If you love her, you'll love this. Listen

Soro - Salif Keita
$14.99
(cdRoots# st-soro)
The classic recording is back, on its original label in its original form. An absolute must for any fan of contemporary African music.

Mwana Molokai: The First Twenty Years - Papa Wemba and Viva La Musica
$19.99
(cdRoots# st-wemba20)
A double CD compilation of 18 of Papa Wemba’s best recordings, made over a span of twenty years (1977 to 1997), during which he rose from cult following in Zaire to global stardom. It includes several rarities, never released outside their original 7' format. As well as Viva La Musica’s extensive roll-call of musicians and vocalists, the tracks include contributions from Pepe Kalle, Koffi Olomide, Josky Kiambukuta, Wendo Kolosoy and Hector Zazou.

Djiriyo - Abdoulaye Diabate
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-djiriyo)
This 1995 recording was the international debut of a champion of modern Bambara music and one of today's outstanding Malian voices, in a mix of high tech and traditional instruments.

Tea in Marrakech - various
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-tea)
Artists include Youcef, Orchestre National De Barbes, Nass Marrakech, Gnawa Diffusion, Hamid Baroudi, Freres Bouchenak, Chaba Zahouania, Orchestra Faical, Faouzi Ben Guamra, Salamat, Rasha and Sawt El Atlas

Zumbi - Andrea Marquee
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-marquee-zum)
High-tech Brazilian pop by great singer interpreting contemporary songwriters like Caetano Veloso and Jorge Ben, with a strong African element.

Congo Life - Kekele
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-kekele2)
Classic, elegant Congolese rumba lives in this great ensemble, and their 2003 edition is as great as their previous hit.

Mandali - Africando
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-africando-mandali)
Following its successful eight-year old formula of assembling the very best Latin and African... Africando returns. The heavy hitters include Mali's power-house Salif Keita, Congolese lark Lokua Kanza, NY's Ronnie Baro, Congo's Koffi Olomide, Guinea's Sekouba Bambino, and Thionne Seck, who is, arguably, the best mbalax-soul singer around... [Mandali] serves to break through musical borders and open the floodgates of joy, allowing everyone to feel, breath and live the music. - Opiyo Oloya

African Salsa - Various Artists
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-african-salsa)
Senegalese Salsa Fireworks' includes music by Pape Fall, Africando, Super Cayor de Dakar, Mapenda Seck and others. This Earthworks reocrding is one of the best collections of the Salsa-Senegal connection.

Obakadences - Pierre Akendengue
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-akendengue)
The 2001 release by this Gabonese genius of modern African music

Bamba - Orchestra Baobab
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-baobab-bamba)
The most sultry, unbelievably voluptuous band in Africa in the seventies had to be Baobab. With swirling guitars that sound like they are buried in layers of honey, saxophones as sweet, and a rhythm section that just never lets up, this Senegalese crew made a series of recordings in the late seventies and early eighties that have become something of a legend.

Contraditorio? - DJ Dolores and Orchestra Santa Massa
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-dolores)
One of Stern's best releases this year introduces fresh talent from Brazil. Dolores is a he, providing beats and production for excellent trombonist Nilsinho and singer and rabeca (violin) player MC Salú. Ranges adventurously through dub reggae, trip-hop flavoured funk, drum 'n' bass and local rhythms, effectively mixing programmed and sampled sound with live instruments. Pleasantly full of intriguing sounds.' - fRoots

The Guitar and the Gun - Various artists, Ghana
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-guitgun)
A classic collection of highlife from Ghana, recorded 1981-84 during the revolution. Bokor Studios saved the music of an era in spite of hardships and now these great recordings, orginally released on vinyl by Earthworks, are finally on a CD!

Black System - Ismael Isaac
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-isaac)
Ivory Coast reggae

Rumba Congo - Kekele
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-kekele)
Old school Congolese rumba music, sweet, acoustic and sultry, is performed by a super group of master musicians and singers: Papa Noel, Jean-Papy, Syran Mbenza, Nymboma, Wuta-Mayi, Bumba Massa, Yves Ndjock.

Biriko - Kandia Kouyate
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-kouyate-biriko)
Kandia Kouyate is an artist who simply demands respect. Listen to her voice for only a minute, and you'll understand why people have surrendered possessions, heart and soul upon hearing it. You'll also understand why Kandia has been attributed with mystic powers. Mali may be full of thunder-voiced females, but they fade into oblivion in the presence of Kandia's commanding alto.' - fROOTS

Kwaito: South African Hip Hop - Various South African
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-kwaito)
Pop grooves from Soweto merge the local sounds with the hard edge of Hip Hop

Diawar - Lo, Ismael
$13.99
(cdRoots# st-lo-diawar)
Selections from three albums the one-of-a-kind songwriter and singer made in the 1980s

Rumba Music - Sam Mangwana
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-mangwana-rumba)
His acclaimed 1993 set supported by first-class African and New York Latin musicians

Sam Mangwana Sings Dinu Vangu - Sam Mangwana / Dino Vangu
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-mangwana-vangu)
A return to the Golden age of Congolese rumba brings singer mangwana back together with guitarist Dino Vanguand create a rumba sound that harkens back to the days of Franco. With Nana Akumu (formerly with T.P.OK Jazz) and bassist Miguel Yamba (Zaiko Langa Langa) at the core of the band, Sam Sings Dino is unsweetened, mellow rumba without the pyrotechnics that begat speed soukous.

Ujumbe - Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-mapangala-ujumbe)
Although originally from Congo and a purveyor of the dominant rumba Lingala, Mapangala migrated eastward to Kenya and began incorporating elements of the local pop music and language to create a melange that became a distinctly East African sound.

Giants of East Africa - Super Mazembe
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-mazembe)
Classic cuts from the 'heroes of East African Music'

Deeper than Oceans - Miyazawa
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-miyazawa)
Kazufumi Miyazawa is the founder of the popular Japanese/Okinawan band Boom, known for their fusion of local folk with rock and pop sounds in the 1980s. This is Miyazawa's 5th solo recording since leaving the band. He blends funk, folk and jazz from Africa, Brazil, and of course, Japan and Okinawa

Bel Ami - Papa Noel
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-noel)
Like singer Sam Mangwana (with whom he has recorded) Papa Noel exemplifies the old guard's knack for encompassing both style and content. Now sixty years old, he began hiring out as a professional guitarist during his teens, passing through the ranks of Les Bantous and Orchestre African Jazz before joining T.P. O.K. Jazz, where he played second guitar for Franco, the great guitarist-composer-bandleader who dominated Congolese music for decades. Papa Noel's bell-like tone set off Franco's more robust touch to perfection and he got to play lead and compose for the band. - Christina Roden, RootsWorld

Palop Africa! - Various African artists
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-palop)
Music from the Portuguese speaking countries of Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome

Rai Rebels - Various Algerian Artists
$13.99
(cdRoots# st-rairebels)
The classic Earthworks collection reissued at a prettty nice price! Include saCheb Khaled, Chaba Fadela and other founders of the rai movement in the 1980s.

N'der Fouta Tooro Vol. 1 - Seck, Mansour
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-seck-fouta1)
The legendary guitarist of Dande Lenol, direct and untainted by technology (save for some electric bass), musician and singer Seck is joined by guitars, hoddu, kora, ngoni and percussion, and the guest vocalists Baaba Maal and Ousmane Hamady Diop on this set of deep roots from Senegal.

Hoga - Sidi Toure
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-sidi-hoga)
Songs recount Songhai Empire history as the weirdly sympathetic strains of an archaic Songhai viol and bluesy overdriven electric guitar swirl around it. This is a truly unque musician, with a sound all his own.

The Indestructible Beat of Soweto Vol 1 - Various South African Artists
$15.99
(cdRoots# st-soweto1)
The original recording that broke down the barriers and brought the music of South Africa to the world... reissued.

Mariama - Traore, Boubacar
$13.99
(cdRoots# st-traore-mariama)
A nicely priced reissue of the classic acoustic guitar sound of Mali, by the grand old man of the music.

The Wassoulou Sound: Women of Mali - Various Malian singers
$16.99
(cdRoots# st-wassoulou)
One of the classics of the 1980s Malian music explosion features Sali Sidibe, Oumou Sangare, Coumba Sidibe, Dienaba Diaki, Dienaba Diakt and Kagbe Sidibe.

Ballad of Manding - Zoumana Diarra
$17.99
(cdRoots# st-zoumana)
Guitar music from Mali from a former member of such great bands as Super Biton, Super Djatta and The Rail Band, accompanied by ngoni, balafon, piano, percussion

Live (2 CD concert recording) - Africando
$no longer available
(cdRoots# st-africando-live)
The Afro-Latin dynamo returns with a live set of great tunes, and nicely priced, at that. Opiyo Oloya said in RootsWorld that these musicians, 'break through musical borders and open the floodgates of joy, allowing everyone to feel, breath and live the music' - Opiyo Oloya