Siama – Land of Yangalele Children’s Album & numerous Minnesota Appearances!

I love Africa, that is obvious (I hope).  I also love the Twin Cities & Minnesota in general.  Now I get to celebrate both, at the same time.  

 

Siama Matuzungidi is a  Minneapolis based artist from the Congo who just released his first children’s album.  I was lucky enough to receive the album and it’s great – both Gradie and I cannot get enough. 

This new album features positive and engaging songs, chants and rhythms from Siama Matuzungidi, an acclaimed Minneapolis based musician originally from Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with musical and life partner Dallas M. Johnson. Inspired by interactions with young children at their concerts, Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas capture the feeling of the family sing-alongs Siama remembers from his childhood, where everyone would share songs and stories together under the stars. These gentle, happy rumba songs, featuring traditional African instruments and harmonies in English, Swahili, Lingala and Kikongo, provide an opportunity to learn about an African culture through music.

The colorful album liner notes include lyrics and guitar chords, a glossary (“Yangalele” means happiness in Kikongo), an African map and a fun quiz to enhance the educational fun relating to these 10 tracks. Discover more and download a coloring page of the cover art by award-winning illustrator Kayla Harren at SiamaMusic.com.

Land of Yangalele is available directly from SiamaMusic.com now and various retailers, including Amazon Music.  Remember – if you purchase the full album you get all the great extras listed above to make this a truly interactive experience for the whole family.

Watch a special PBS program about Siama’s life and music here or watch him playing mbira with singing birds near the headwaters of the Mississippi River on his YouTube channel.

Land of Yangalele – Track listing

1. Bakongo Chant (Welcome)
2. Monkey Game
3. It’s So Easy To Make a Song
4. Sweet Water
5. ABCD
6. Ko Yimbi Ko
7. Auntie’s Song (Yangalele)
8. When We’re Free
9. Nalingi Bosembo (Peace Lullaby)
10. Bakongo Chant (Your Journey)

Now comes the part of my love of Minnesota.  You can head to these library locations in North and Central MN to enjoy appearances by Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas;

• • April 24, 10:30-11:30am, Detroit Lakes Public Library, 1000 Washington Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN
  • April 24, 6:30pm, Fosston Public Library, 403 Foss Ave N, Fosston, MN
  • April 25, 111m-noon, Mahnomen Public Library, 203 Main St, Mahnomen, MN
  • April 25, 2-3pm, Bagley Public Library, 79 Spencer Ave SW, Bagley, MN
  • April 26, 1:30-2:30pm, Climax Public Library, 104 W Broadway, Climax, MN
  • April 26, 6-7pm, McIntosh Public Library, 115 Broadway NW, McIntosh, MN
  • April 27, 10-11am, Barnesville Public Library, 104 Front St N, Barnesville, MN
  • April 27, 2-3pm, Ada Public Library, 704 4th Ave E, Ada, MN
  • April 28, 10:30-11:30am, Moorhead Public Library, 118 5th St S, Moorhead, MN
  • April 28, 1:30-2:30pm, Breckenridge Public Library, 205 7th St N, Breckenridge, MN
  • April 30, 6-7pm, Fertile-Beltrami Public School (in lunchroom), 210 South Mill St, Fertile, MN
  • May 1, 2:30-3:30pm, Hawley Public Library, 422 Hartford St, Hawley, MN
  • May 1, 6-7pm, Crookston Public Library, 110 N Ash St, Crookston, MN