Spirit Of Africa: The Legendary Rock Band - Queen, Peter Gabriel And Numerous African Musicians Fight AIDS In Africa.

Africa's problems, on the face of it, appear insurmountable - the life and death conditions unimaginable to most of us. But now Africa is showing resilience. Governments, businesses, families and communities are adapting to the new landscape being sculpted by the epidemic. There are encouraging signs of a people rising to the new challenges just when the situation seemed hopeless; a new Spirit of Africa.

Nowhere is this 'spirit' more tangibly evident than in the music of the colorful nations which make up the continent of Africa, a music which even when describing the desperate conditions under which the people live, vibrates with optimism and hope. It is this spirit for life that this album celebrates, the true Spirit of Africa.

–Mercury Phoenix Tust

The Artists And Other HIV/AIDS Facts In Africa:

HAMID BAROUDI (ALGERlA)

Born in Algeria, Hamid Baroudi's music fuses the nomadic music of the deserts of North Africa with the contemporary groove of European electronica. His band is a hot musical outfit and Hamid himself a beguiling and charismatic stage force. Hamid Baroudi has won acclaim for his inter-cultural activities, touring through Germany and Austria and recording with an international line-up.

THE DRUMMERS OF BURUNDI (BURUNDi)

These Master Drummers are from the small African country between Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. Their performances are as much a spectacle of dance as music.The privilege of playing these great log drums has been handed down from father to son for generations. The drums are made from a tree that grows only in Burundi, and the Drummers plant the seeds of the trees to maintain their drum-making skills for future generations. Originally, The Drummers of Burundi accompanied the l<ing on his travels; today they play at local festivities, national events, and are considered by the Rundi (the inhabitants of Burundi) to be the most important representatives of the country's musical tradition.

HlV-positive patients have occupied 70% of the beds in the Prince Regent Hospital in Bujumbura, Burundi.

IMBIZO (ZIMBABWE)

Imbizo are Ndebele speaking and sing the style of music traditional to their home area of Matabeleland. The group has been together since 1991 and their songs often draw inspiration from their ancient Zulu history, mirroring the culture of their people. 'Imbube' (a capella) music carries a strength and directness. As Imbizo say, music is a language that reaches into the heart; nothing else on earth can stir emotions or deliver messages as music can. Theirs is a message of change - but also of proud beginnings never forgotten, never ignored.

In Zimbabwe, AIDS has now reduced life expectancy at birth to 43 years instead of 65.

BERNARD KABANDA (UGANDA)

One of the highlights of 1999's WOMAD Ul< and USA festivals was Ugandan guitarist Bernard Kabanda. Born and nurtured in the harsh environment that surrounds Kampala, Bernard was king of 'Kadongo Kamu'- a re-invention of an old African tradition of teaching by singing stories. AIDS is everywhere in Uganda, and Bernard's songs offered comfort and advice for better living. Shortly after his WOMAD tour, Bernard died tragically of AIDS; he was only 40 years old. Luck and outstanding talent had quickly brought Bernard international success; it is a tragedy that he enjoyed this success for only a short time.

MZWAKHE MBULl (SOUTH AFRICA)

One of the most popular artists in South Africa, Mzwakhe Mbuli is known as the People's Poet - the voice of the voiceless, the poor and the dispossessed on the edges of society. H is concerns are human rights, fighting corruption, drugs and AI DS, building a better future and reminding his audience about African history and tradition. It is a sad irony that Mzwakhe is currently on remand in prison in South Africa - an alleged victim of a criminal conspiracy due to his commitment to supporting efforts to rid the country of drug smuggling activities. Much of his music has been recorded while in prison awaiting trial.

With a total of 4.2 million infected people, South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, as well as one of the world's fastest-growing epidemics. Already 1 in 4 South Afncan women aged 20-29 years are infected with the virus.

MARYAM MURSAL (SOMALiA)

Maryam Mursal's story is one of strength and determination. In 1991, having spent seven months walking across the Horn of Africa with her five children to flee the civil war in her home country of Somalia, Maryam finally found refuge in Denmark. In happier times she had been the voice of Somalia, singing a remarkable hybrid sound of African and Arabic influences combined with Western pop styles, known as 'Somali Jazz'. The worldwide release of Maryam's solo album TH E JOURN EY (1998) has since brought her much recognition in the West, and her amazing indomitable spirit ensures she's given a heartfelt welcome wherever she sings.

YOUSSOU N'DOUR (SENEGAL)

Youssou N'Dour is one of the most globally influential African artists of all time. From humble beginnings in Dakar, he has risen to a status akin to royalty and his association with Amnesty International and artists like Neneh Cherry have brought him worldwide fame. A superstar of West African popular music, N'Dour virtually embodies Senegal's frenetic, talking drum driven dance music known as'mbalax'. His songs blend irresistible Afro-pop dance grooves with a social commentary. Singing mainly in Wolof (the national language of Senegal), Youssou tackles subjects of relevance and importance to every modern African: corruption, poverty, drought, migration and negritude.

Although HIV-1 prevalence has remained very low (0%-0.8% during 1986-1998) among antenatal clinic women in Dakar, Senegal, prevalence among sex workers has increased gradually from less than 1 % in 1986 to 13% in 1995, declining in 1998 to 7%.

AYUB OGADA (KENYA)

A member of the Luo people of Western l<enya, Ayub Ogada plays the traditional Iyre of his tribe, the nyatiti. Alongside this instrument, Ayub uses his warm and sensual voice to create a close bond between himself and the audience, and to expose social issues. A multi-talented artist, Ogada has also acted in the film Out of Africa opposite Robert Redford, and also in the films The Kitchen Toto and The Colour Purple. He was part of Peter Gabriel's'Secret World Tour' in 1993. More recently, in 1999, Ayub toured as support artist with The Drummers of Burundi through Australia, Spain and the U I<. The tragedy of AIDS has touched Ayub closely - his brother died of the disease in January 2001.

Households in Kenya are estimated to lose 49%-78% of their income when one person dies from AIDS (excluding funeral costs).

REMMY ONGALA (TANZANlA)

Remmy's presence is almost majestic and his popularity in Tanzania is unrivalled. His distinct voice, rich and soulful, soars above the rolling melodic drive of his band's Congolese Soukous style, influenced by traditional Tanzanian rhythms with hints of Latin and Soul. Remmy articulates the concerns of ordinary Tanzanians and he initiates debates with, for example, this song about AIDS. As he himself says: "I am successful in Tanzania because I write songs about serious topics...my music is known as'Ubongo Beat', because in Swahili 'ubongo'means brain and my music is heavy thinking music."

OMAR PENE & SUPER DIANOMO DE DAKAR (SENEGAL)

Omar Pene has generated his own style of vocal delivery to carry the Iyrics of the songs he has written for the band. His beautiful, haunting melodies and the sophisticated arrangements bear witness to the fact that good music is a universal language that draws people togetheh After over 20 years in the music business, Omar Pene strives to evolve still further the jazz-mbalax style which is the hallmark of Super Diamono. Thanks to these efforts, Senegalese music continues to break new ground and the group's popularity continues to grow, as evidenced by the success of their international tours.

TASO CHOIR (UGANDA)

"TASO (The Aids Support Organization) is an organization with eyes that see the needs of the most vulnerable, with a heart that opens to the joys and sorrows of those affected by HIV/AIDS, and with arms that welcome all those who want to be part of the TASO mission. "- Dr M H Merson, Executive Director, WHO Global Programme on AIDS

Since its creation in Uganda in 1987, TASO is now leading the way in its commitment to comprehensive care and, through its success, in holding families and communities together during the AIDS era.The Choir consists of 20-25 members, all of whom are HIV/AIDS sufferers.They use their music to communicate the work of TASO to people in local communities and at public conferences, singing in various languages in order to reach people from different parts of Uganda.They also perform traditional dances, demonstrating their belief in the importance of supporting each otheh

In Uganda, the percentage of teenage girls who had ever used a condom tripled between 1994 and 1997. The estimated HIV prevalence rate went down to around 8% in 1999 from a peak of nearly 14% in the early 1990s.

PAPA WEMBA (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO)

Famous for his flamboyant sense of style and emotional Lingala vocals, Papa Wemba is the ambassador of a truly global African music. Originally part of the adventurous kinshasa music scene, Wemba departed for Paris in 1986, heralding an international chapter in his career In 1996, Wemba joined Youssou N'Dour and other leading African musicians on an epic consciousness-raising journey through war-torn Africa, sponsored by the International Red Cross, and released the single So Why? to raise profits for the war victims. He now performs regularly with his international band'Molokai'.

The estimated number of adults and children who died of AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo during 1999 was 95,000.

TAMA WITH ASSITAN MAMA KEITA (GUiNEA BISSAU/MALI/UK)

Consisting of Tom Diakite, Djanuno Dabo and Ul< producer/guitarist Sam Mills, and often joined by female vocalist Assitan Mama l<eita, Tama take their name from a Bambara word meaning 'to walk'. Their songs of the migrant capture musical influences from lands visited and departed. "In Africa, a song as a narrative has to tell something; it has to be useful to a certain degree, somehow instructive without being too serious," says Tom, who specializes in the ngoni - a funky hunters harp from Mali.

HlV prevalence among workers in Bamako, the major urban area in Mali, reached 74% in 1992.

DR HUKWE ZAWOSE & MICHAEL BR00K (TANZANIA/CANADA)

Dr Hukwe Zawose is one of Tanzania's foremost traditional musicians. His work is a joyful celebration of his heritage and, dressed in elaborate costume, his performances are an exotic and delightful spectacle. He performs the music of his people, the Wagogo - a mix of traditional story-based pieces, political celebration songs and his own compositions. As well as an extraordinary 5-octave vocal range - switching between a high, feminine sound and a form of throat-singing - he performs an array of traditional instruments including the ilimba (thumb piano) and izeze (stringed instrument). Dr Zawose now devotes much of his time to lecturing at the Bagamoyo College of Arts in Tanzania. This is his first recording with Canadian producer/guitar virtuoso Michael Brook - known for his work with U2, Brian Eno and Nusrat Fateh Ali l<han.

In Tanzania, the estimated number of children who lost their mother or both parents due to HIV/AIDS at age 14 oryounger since the beginning of the epidemic stood at 1.1 million at the end of 1999.

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