University Daily Kansan / Friday, October 6, 1989
Arts/Entertainment
11
KU to jam with an African beat
Thomas Mopfumo's music inspired guerrilla troops during the Zimbabwe civil war in the '70s.
By Angela Baughman
Kansan staff writer
A tribal beat will be shaking the stands and rocking the rafflers in the Kansas Union tonight as two African bands provide the music for AfroPop, KU's Homecoming dance concert.
AfoPop will feature the Sekou Diabate (Jah-BAH-tay) Bembeya Band from Guinea and Thomas Mappumo and the Blacks Unlimited from Zimbabwe, performing from 9 p.m. in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
Jacqueline Davis, director of the KU Concert Series, said the group's music was contemporary but had its roots in African tribal music.
"In listening to it, we were struck by the fact that it had a lot of Western influence," she said. "We're talking about electronic music. There's a real sense that it's a group of modern musicians."
Davis said U.S. audiences had become more aware of contemporary African music in recent years, in part because of the success of Paul Simon's Grammy award-winning Graceland album, which featured the African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mamba.
"Ledysmith Black Mambazo certainly has made people aware of the music from that land," she said.
In their homelands, Davis said Diabate and Mapfumo were musical institutions.
"Sekou Diabate is a major figure in his country as Thomas Mapfumo is in his," she said. "We're getting a look at popular stars of two African countries."
Diabate, nicknamed "diamond fingers," has been recognized as Africa's leading guitarist. He evolved a guitar style combining the kora playing of West Africa, the jazz guitar of Kenny Burrell and George Benson and the intensity of Spanish classical guitar.
Diabate was born a Griot, a member of West Africa's 600-year-old musician caste. He founded Guinea's leading orchestra, Bembya Jazz
National, Rachel Hunter, assistant program director for KANU, said Diabate had recorded on Sonodisc, a French label, which was imported and distributed by Musicrama of Long Island, N.Y.
The subjects of Diabate's tunes range from a fickle nurse who leaves her crying child to follow the man she loves in the song, "La Dembatigalant," to pity in the song, "Kini-Kini," which encourages people to use generosity as moral support toward those who are weak.
Mapfumo is recognized as a hero
because of the role his music played in the Zimbabwe civil war. Nicknamed "the Lion," his songs were broadcast on guerrilla radio stations during the conflict.
Mapfumo's "Chimurenga songs" established one of Africa's most original popular styles, which transposed the mbira, or thumb piano, of the Shona people onto electric guitar.
In Mapumo's song "Hurukuro," he determines people talk too much and should "shut up and really look around and see what is going on." His song with English lyrics, "Corruption” warns “the big and the small that corruption is everywhere and that you cannot and should not run away from justice.”
Davis said that neither group had visited the United States before, and that their U.S. tour included six concerts.
AroPop is presented by the KU Concert Series in collaboration with Student Union Activities and the KU Homecoming Committee. Tickets are available at the Murphy Hall and SUA box offices and at the door. Admission is $5.
By Maro Perillo
Kanean movie reviewer
'In Country' delivers provocative message about Vietnam vets
Emmett Smith is safe 'in his rural Kentucky home, yet he pants and breaks into a cold sweat when a violent thunderstorm rolls overhead. The bright, sudden flashes and frightening rumbles of the storm prompt a sudden recollection of his Vietnam experience.
Bruce Willis, with four years of experience in the television series "Moonlighting" and only one action/drama, "Die Hard," surprisingly reveals this veteran's hidden struggle brilliantly. Norman Jawison, best known for the 1987 Oscar-award winning "Moonstruck" and who has 11 other Academy Awards, delivers his insightful message with captivating Imagery.
It must be made clear that this is not a common Vietnam War movie. It is, rather, a timely story of a bottle we are less aware of; a story totally separate from the one shrouded behind the artillery and stock images of death and destruction. "In Country," serves to describe a more expressive conflict; a veteran's coming to terms with the war he left thousands of miles behind.
"In Country" is unique because it is told through the eyes of a naive and curious teenager, Samantha "Sam" Hughes, played by Emily Lyced. Sam is intrigued by the mystery of her father's undeclosed death in Vietnam and, along with some old letters and her father's diary, Emmett serves as the only other available resource to help her reconcile the ambiguity surrounding her father's past.
The conflict arises when Sam's fascination with the war leads her
to ask them, disturbing questions that Emmett finds uncomfortable. She questions her mother, Irene, played by Joan Allen, and her "mamaw," played by Peggy Rae.
Those who are skeptical of Willis' effective transformation from comedy to drama will be surprised.
Sam even goes to other veterans in town who remember vividly when they were "in country," but Sam realizes that Emmett stands as her only key to understanding.
Those who are sculptural of Willis' effective transformation from comedy to drama will be surprised. Willie plays his part of a disturbed and somewhat lackadjusted, chain-chaining veteran with passion and grace. He approach his character with intelligence and seriousness, continually supplying depth and meaning to the plot right up to the emotional climax, which signals the end of the picture but definitely the beginning of Willis' unprecedented capabilities.
"In Country" will reward you with a moving, heart-reading conclusion guaranteed to keep you on the verge of tears. And once the screen has faded to black and the recent images become memories, you will bear a fresh understanding of the veteran's never-ending struggle with the Vietnam War.
Top college band with 'goulash' sound will rock the Outhouse
▶ Marc Parilla in a Lenoxe
aphomore要去访 In English and
film studies.
By Jonnifer Reynolds
Kansan staff writer
In the wake of the re-emergence of Black rock groups, such as Living Colour, 24-7 Spyz has appeared as a rock band on the rise.
The Spyz will perform at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Outhouse, four miles east of Massachusetts Street on 15th Street.
The group, which is ranked at the top of Rolling Stone magazine's college chart, has a difficult time describing its music.
"Spyz music is pretty much a bunch of goulish," said Rick Skatore, bass player for the band. "You could call us punk, funk, rock, metal, hip-hop, reggae, jazz and rhythm and blues. Shoot, we could even fit on the classical music shelf."
The music and the lyrics reflect the members' ideas, opinions and experiences, Skatore said.
"We were built on not staying with any one particular format," he said. "Our music has a wide variety and is based on our personal feelings and influences."
The four-piece band from South Bronx, New York, was formed in 1986 when lead singer Fluel and original drummer Kendu were picking up the pieces of a former band. Guitarist Jimi Haze came next, followed by Skatore. Current drummer Anthony
Johnson joined the band after Kendu was shot. He has since recoveried but is now pursuing his music career with another band. Skatore said the group was formed with one idea in mind.
"I had a story about a girl I met who was strictly bad news," he said, recalling how one song idea was conceived. "I told the experience to Peter, who took parts of my story and combined them with parts of other conversations between the band." The result is a song on the group's current album.
Skatore said his jazz background influenced his music, and the different backgrounds of the other performers influenced their contributions to the band.
and Jimi is a "60s reject, and Anthony was into rhythm and blues," he said. "Our songs are heavy-metal music with a ghetto slang. People listen and hear and can relate to something in the music."
The band members signed with In-Effect Records after they were approached with a contract.
"Peter was heavily influenced by reggae,
"We talked to the major labels, but they just didn't respond," Skifores said. "In-Effect let us be who we wanted to be. Not watered-down or anything."
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Jewish High Holy Day Services
YOM KIPPUR
Kol Nidrel - Sun. Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
Morning - Mon. Oct. 9, 9:30 a.m.
Yizkor - Mon. Oct. 9, 11:30 a.m.
Evening - Mon. Oct. 9, 4:30 p.m.
Student Break-the-Fast - 7 p.m., Hillel House $2
Except for Koi Nidrel, all services to be held at the Lawrence Jewish Community Center, 917 Highland Dr. For rides, RSVPs and more information, call Hillel, 864-3948
Get paid and have good times, too.
On October 7 and B, Crown Center will be having a job fair to hire part-time help.
We need hard working individuals to work this holiday season and year-round. So, If you think it would be fun to wait on customers, help out at the ice Terrace, or work with Santa, stop by the first level of the Crown Center Shops this Saturday or Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. to fill out an application. Good times — and a good job!
Crown Center Job Fair
October 7 & 8
Noon - 4 p.m.