Recording: Olivier Tshimanga

Artist: Olivier Tshimanga

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Harbourfront Centre (Habari Africa Festival), August 10, 2019.

Olivier Tshimanga - unknown

Once again, the Habari Festival (curated by the always on-point Batuki Music Society) filled up Harbourfront Centre with African music and culture. If you believe clothes make the man, Olivier Tshimanga announced a lot about his personality by taking the stage in a bold and colorful polka-dot number. Clearly not one to shy away from the spotlight, Tshimanga had swagger to spare as he put on a guitar clinic (he is the creator of what he has dubbed "Tshimangology", a sort of ultra-nimble Afro-djent) and his band shredded through hypercharged versions of several styles. Tshimanga learned his craft in Papa Wemba's band, so his rumba/soukous moves were on point, adding even more notes to a genre known for featuring detailed guitar styles. This was his local debut, but he was definitely received as a proper star by the festival crowd.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Adam Solomon

Artist: Adam Solomon

Songs: two unknown songs^*

Recorded at Harbourfront Centre (Habari Africa Festival), August 10, 2019.

Adam Solomon - unknown #1

Adam Solomon - unknown #2

Once again, the Habari Festival (curated by the always on-point Batuki Music Society) filled up Harbourfront Centre with African music and culture. This mainstage show gave some room for "Professor" Adam Solomon — a gifted guitarist who can dazzle passers-by playing solo while busking on the TTC — to bring out a full band and play some celebratory jams. Moving seamlessly from style to style, Solomon and his crew (including a couple incredible dancers) created a joyful experience — it's great to see one of the city's best musicians at the top of his game.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: The Ace of Africa

Artist: The Ace of Africa

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Harbourfront Centre's Concert Stage (Habari Africa Festival), August 11, 2018.

The Ace of Africa - unknown

One of the summer's best-curated weekends for just go and discover something music hangs, the Habari Festival brought music, dance, film and more celebrating the diversity of African cultures. The night finished with a giant dance party courtesy of "Les As d'Afrique", another all-star unit representing the top flight of players in Congolese styles (ndombolo, soukous, rumba, zouk, mutuashi), mostly from Montréal. Lead by Jackson Ayale Molo, the eight-member group (plus guest vocalist Blandine) paid tribute to the late singer/dancer Moto Kapia. Check out how (through some coincidence of parallel evolution) Molo's guitar here sounds like it keeps locking into half-bar loops from a Tom Verlaine guitar solo — advanced grooves, and just super joyful and super-fiery stuff.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Africa All-Stars

Artist: Africa All-Stars

Song: Nabhoran

Recorded at Harbourfront Centre's Concert Stage (Habari Africa Festival), August 11, 2018.

Africa All-Stars - Nabhoran

One of the summer's best-curated weekends for just go and discover something music hangs, the Habari Festival brought music, dance, film and more celebrating the diversity of African cultures. Drawing again from the deep pool of talent that previously brought together the celebrated African Guitar Summit, this re-shuffling reunited Alpha Yaya Diallo with fellow guitar aces Madagascar Slim and Donne Roberts, alongside percussionist Kofi Ackah, bassist Ebenezer Agyekum and dancer Mabinty Sylla. That gave each of the trio multiple turns both as frontman and dynamic guitar-slinger. This tune, from Diallo's acoustic guitar, brought some extended Guinean grooves, simmering along as the crowd was whipped up by dancing and some extra percussion. The first of many show-stoppers in a top-notch set.

Recording: Barnes/Woldemichael Ethio-jazz Quartet

Artist: Barnes/Woldemichael Ethio-jazz Quartet

Song: '66 E.C.

Recorded at Harbourfront Centre's Stage in the Round (Habari Africa Festival), August 11, 2018.

Barnes/Woldemichael Ethio-jazz Quartet - '66 E.C.

One of the summer's best-curated weekends for just go and discover something music hangs, the Habari Festival brought music, dance, film and more celebrating the diversity of African cultures. Playing in the Stage in the Round with the sun starting to set behind them, this group of veteran local Ethio-jazzers mixed in a few classics alongside their own contributions to the tradition. Given that band namesakes Girma Woldemichael (sax) and Daniel Barnes (drums) honed their skills playing as touring musicians being the likes of Aster Aweke means their renditions are entirely lived in.

Recording: Afrafranto

Artist: Afrafranto

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Harbourfront Centre's Concert Stage (Habari Africa Festival), August 14, 2016.

Afrafranto - unknown

I only managed to make it down for a few hours on Sunday, but I hear there was a lot of excellent music and more going on at Harbourfront's Habari Africa Festival, overseen by local hero Nadine McNulty of Batuki Music. I did manage to catch these great local purveyors of Ghanaian palmwine and highlife music. I missed the release party for their Nsadwase album (which doesn't seem to have found its way online yet) but it's always worthwhile to catch these grooves live as they ripple outwards from Pa Joe's guitar.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!