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Niominka Bi & N`Diaxas Band
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Niominka Bi & N`Diaxas Band Biography Senegalese singer Souleymane Sarr was born on one of the islands in the river Saloum and that gave him his nickname "Niominka Bi" wich means "man of the river" or "fisherman".He learnt how to play his homecountry`s traditional instruments in his infancy and soon became a singer and percussionist with the famous "ballets du Senegal" before he had to join the US Forces in Lebanon.Arriving in France somewhen later he roughed it for a while befoere in 1980 he decided to go to Bordeaux and look for work .There he was soon drawn into the city`s vibrant music scene and got together a group of french, senegalese, jamaican and english musicians to form the band "Wicked System",later to become the "N`Diaxas Band".Inspired by the great masters of Reggae - Ijahman, Bob Marley, Burning Spear and Peter Tosh - he set out to create a "metissage" interbreeding of his african traditional roots, his jamaican influences and the Bordeaux music scene.Their first album was soon relelased, named "Fatiyoon".His voice is typical Senegal - high, fast and passionate - reminiscent of Youssou N`Dour.The lyrics, though mostly in wolof,carry a powerfull message of love, unity and understanding between people.In its more than10 years of history they have done more than 300 major concerts, for example:opening for the Wailers, Manu Dibango, Pablo Moses,Super Diamono,the Gladiators, Xalam and Nougaro. History They have established themselves as the foremost band in the south west when in early 1993 - just while they were wondering wether to lay out the money for a new CD - a chance encounter put them in the fast stream.Francois Haji-Lazaro, Boss of the alternative Rock Label "Boucherie Productions" was staying with friends in Bordeaux who played him their tape and he loved it.After hearing the band live he decided to issue it as a CD without any changes...called "Immigré".Some time later in 1994 their second album "Ngor " was released.Four years ago the band visited britain but the money offered was so poor they only did one other gig but now they returned to britain for a very successfull tour and after participated in the famous "Africa Fete" in Paris as well.In 1995 they on tour in the USA and played on the beautiful island La Reunion and at different big festivals in France.Ending of 2007 they released their third album called"Shalom Salam",now better than ever before!Since then they have been playing regularly in different clubs and on almost every world music festival in France.They are now planning to come to conquer germany and the neighbouring Benelux countries...and who should want to stop them?!
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