Manden Express and Ghanian dancer guest live performances in Dublin (2014)

MANDEN EXPRESS

Manden Express is a thrillingly explosive Dublin-based international band. It fuses traditional and contemporary styles of West African music from the Mande Empire (Mali),  alongside infectious Afrobeat rhythms.

THEIR MUSIC STYLES

Manden Express is inspired by Wassalou (Oumou Sangare) styles and the explosion of new musical influences that merged with African music in the 1960′s.

They blend:

• kamele n’goni
• harp,
• Kora,
• djembé,
• drums

with electric bass and guitar to produce stomping grooves and hypnotic time patterns.

BAND’S CHANGES

The band went through a singer change. Indeed, Emma who used to be the band lead singer is now leading her own neo-soul band called ‘Fehdah‘.

This is how the new Manden Express band looks like now. You can view their last year’s performance with their updated line-up at Hotter than July’s festival.

LIVE RECORDINGS

I attended two of their live performances at the Sugar Club, Dublin on July and August 2014.

They had a special guest Godfred Asare, a Ghanian dancer, who accompanied them at their first show.

You may want to check their blog and their Facebook fan page for upcoming shows.

Enjoy the below pictures and videos from the events!