Album Review: Republique Amazone by Les Amazones d'Afrique

Hailing from countries throughout West Africa, the women of supergroup Les Amazones d'Afrique rock the boat and the mic for a good cause with debut studio album République Amazone. The group came together for the first time in Mali a couple of years back, releasing the track “I Play the Kora” as a powerful anthem for sexual equality. That the kora is an instrument reserved for men for centuries adds an extra layer of resolve to the frank lyrics claiming women's rights to respect and peace.

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P op fightbacks come in many forms. This female collective of West African singers is dedicated to gender equality, and to raising funds for the Panzi Foundation, a Congolese hospital that treats abused women. The "Amazonian Republic" proves an exciting country, its music tumbling between languages (Mandinka, French, English), and African and western styles.

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T he British debut performance of Les Amazones d'Afrique at Womad last summer was a triumph. This all-female collective of celebrated west African singers from different generations came together to help victims of violence against women. The lineup included Mali's legendary griotte Kandia Kouyaté and the young Nigerian hip-hop artist Nneka, and the songs were transformed by their exuberant harmony vocals.

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