Ernesto
Djedje was one of the leading musicians in Côte d'Ivoire during the
1970s. He released at least four LPs -"Le
Roi du Ziglibithy" - pictured above, recorded in ca 1977; "Tizere"; "Zouzoup Ale"; and
one other. "Ziglibithy" was the name for both a popular dance style and a rhythm, and
Ernesto Djedje was its undisputed "king". He was an excellent vocalist,
guitarist, and arranger. The brass sections in particular are well-crafted and the overall musicianship first rate. This cassette still sells like hot cakes in West Africa
after 25 years. It's available everywhere - I've seen it in Mali, The Gambia and Ghana. Why it has never been released internationally remains
a mysteryand
a great disappointment.
