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The Band
Since the release of the groundbreaking "Spirit of the Forest" in 1993 Baka Beyond has evolved into a dynamic, multi-cultural live show which has played all over the world. From Brazil to Alaska, Norway to Spain, audiences have been enthralled by haunting Celtic harmony singing, drawn into the Cameroon rainforest by traditional forest singing (Yelli), and danced their socks off to irresistible African rhythms.
The touring core, based in UK, hails from Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Cornwall, Wales and Northumberland. Together they create a unique and vibrant sound that fuses delicate guitar lines with African rhythms and heavyweight Congolese bass. Mix in some stunning vocals and a positive message of global unity and indigenous rights and you have a stage show second to none. Audiences emerge inspired and energised.
Baka Beyond has headlined many festivals such as Edmonton in Canada to 20,000 people, but they still love the intimacy of playing theatres and Art Centres. They have played one of the world's biggest music festivals, Glastonbury, a total of 16 times! Every gig has a sense of fun that turns a concert into an uplifting, inclusive party.
Baka Beyond was founded by Martin Cradick (co-founder of Outback) in 1990 after a 3 month visit to Cameroon with singer wife Su Hart. There they began a lifelong musical friendship with a group of Baka Pygmy hunter-gatherers deep in the rain forest. The trip inspired the award winning debut album "Spirit of the forest" in 1993, which helped to define the term "World music" and pushed Baka Beyond into worldwide recognition.
To date they have recorded 7 studio albums and several live, including "Baka Live" (recorded whilst touring the UK with 7 Baka musicians) and "Live and Pedal-Powered" (on the audience-powered Rinky Dink Sound System). The earlier studio albums had guest artists recorded either "on location" in Africa or in Martins studio in Bath, whilst they were visiting the UK. By the time the acclaimed "Sogo" was recorded (2000) some of the best African musicians resident in England had joined the band. Each album explores the mixing of diverse musical cultures in new ways. The Baka's gentle yet driving forest rhythms that create unity and co-operation in forest life, bind together and resonate through the music of Baka Beyond. They are currently working on their 8th studio album.
Baka Beyond believes in giving back to the source of their inspiration, they call it "cultural fair trade". Royalties are returned through the charity Global Music Exchange either directly to individual musicians, or for sustainable projects decided within the Baka community. A large performance space has been built, as well as work in health and education. With the forest and therefore their lifestyle under threat, it helps that the Baka's music and culture is appreciated worldwide.
More info - listen - Press Release 2011
Baka Gbiné
This is the band of Baka musicians that Martin recorded in their rainforest home to produce the album Gati Bongo. Their music was the original inspiration for Baka Beyond and Martin Cradick recently toured in Cameroon with them as they returned home from their performance at the Under the Volcano Festival.
In 2006 7 Baka musicians from Baka Gbiné came to tour with Baka Beyond in UK. This was captured in the live CD "Baka Live"
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