Souleymane Sidibé, the "Prince of Wassoulou", is one of the new wave of kamelen n'goni players. Some good dancers in the clip, especially the young girl. Not sure what to make of the PCV dancer, though.

The photos of Malick Sidibé and the music of Oumou Sangaré - a choice combination.

Neba Solo, aka Souleymane Traoré, performing an early hit. Neba Solo was awarded the title of "Malian artist of the year" in 1996. It's great to see the balafon used in this way. Some of his earlier recordings verge on psychedelic.

Fodé Conté was one of Guinea's most popular stars in the 1960s. He performed with Les Ballet Africains and Ballet Djoliba before leaving Guinea due to his differences with Sékou Touré. He was in exile in Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire, returning to Guinea only after Touré had died. Fodé Conté passed away in August 2008.

Sali Sidibé performing for a crowd of admirers.

The Fouta Djallon is a great place to travel, especially after the rigours of Conakry. Here is a typical Fula ensemble from Labé.

Bembeya Jazz National - N'gnamakoro. Fronted by the "trio bazooka" of Salifou Kaba, Moussa Touré and Mory Kouyaté, performing one of their hits from the Parade Africaine LP.

Miriam Makeba lived in Guinea from 1969 to 1986. Here she reminisces about her life there.

Bembeya Jazz National - Tama tama. An unreleased-on-vinyl track, recorded in 1979 at the RTG. Sung in Maninka, the title translates as "Travelling far", and is a message to Guineans living abroad "not to forget the fatherland".

Bembeya Jazz - Petit Sékou. Their classic instrumental - recorded in 1979 at the RTG studios

Guinea's premier national orchestra performing a Bembeya Jazz song at the 1st Pan-African Cultural Festival held in Algiers in 1969. The musicians in the video are (from left to right) - Mohammed Achken Kaba - trumpet (Bembeya Jazz); Mamadou Niaissa - trumpet (Super Boiro Band); Sékou "Le Growl" Camara - trumpet (Bembeya Jazz); Siaka Diabaté - timbales (Bembeya Jazz); Mory Mangala - drums (Bembeya Jazz); Pivi Moriba - trombone (Balla et ses Balladins); Fode Ndiaye Soumah - tenor sax (Bembeya Jazz); Momo Wandel Soumah - alto sax (Kakilambé Jazz, Keletigui et ses Tambourinis); Kélétigui Traoré (chef d'orchestre, in white jacket) - tenor sax (Keletigui et ses Tambourinis); Demba Camara - vocals (Bembeya Jazz); Sékou "Bembeya" Diabaté - lead guitar (Bembeya Jazz); Kemo Kouyaté - rhythm guitar (Balla et ses Balladins, Quintette Guinéenne); Famoro Kouyaté - bass guitar (Balla et ses Balladins, Quintette Guinéenne).

Guinea's premier national orchestra performing a Balla et ses Balladins song at the 1st Pan-African Cultural Festival held in Algiers in 1969. The musicians are (left to right) - Mohammed Achken Kaba - trumpet (Bembeya Jazz); Mamadou Niaissa - trumpet (Super Boiro Band); Sékou "Le Growl" Camara - trumpet (Bembeya Jazz); Momo Wandel Soumah - alto sax (Kakilambé Jazz, Keletigui et ses Tambourinis); Siaka Diabaté - congas (Bembeya Jazz); Mory Mangala - drums (Bembeya Jazz); Pivi Moriba - alto sax (Balla et ses Balladins); Fode Ndiaye Soumah - tenor sax (Bembeya Jazz); Kélétigui Traoré (chef d'orchestre, in white jacket) - tenor sax (Keletigui et ses Tambourinis); "Petit" Fodé Diabaté - vocals (Horoya Band); Demba Camara - vocals (Bembeya Jazz); Sékou "Bembeya" Diabaté - lead guitar (Bembeya Jazz); Kemo Kouyaté - rhythm guitar (Balla et ses Balladins, Quintette Guinéenne); Famoro Kouyaté - bass guitar (Balla et ses Balladins, Quintette Guinéenne).