The Blue Note
Columbia
MO
Les Tetes Brulees are from Cameroon, West Africa
This show was a double-bill with Blue Dixie
rom http://www.africasounds.com/history_of_bikutsi.htm
"Bikut-si is characterized by its intense and instantly recognizable
6/8 pounding rhythm. It's a beat that grabs you, grooves you, and
finally overpowers you into stomping your feet rhythmically to the
beat. Once you've heard it, it is forever impossible to mistake
bikut-si for any other Central African music style. Likewise, one does
not need to look further than its name for a literal definition of
bikut-si. Bi is a term used by the Beti to pluralize whatever word
happens to come after it. Kut is the Beti word meaning to "hit" or
"pound vigorously" a solid surface in a continuous fashion. Si is
Betifor the ground - or more literally cultivable land. Put together,
Bikut-si means to beat the ground continuously.2 Bikut-si has
traditionally been used as a form of communication, culturally tying
together the Beti people through performances that exhibit tradition,
group pride and solidarity. Bikut-si has historically functioned at a
number of levels, ranging anywhere from small group gatherings of
friends and neighbors to full-fledged ceremonies such as the funeral.3
Most important have been the village community ceremonies or rituals
which have traditionally defined just what it signifies to be a Beti."
The stage show was great- check out their band photos on this site
http://www.raphia.fr/EN/films/bikutsi.html
see also Music Of Cameroon-
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/M/Mu/Music_of_Cameroon.htm