Three years after the release of his critically acclaimed album Salone, Bai Kamara Jr returns with Traveling Medicine Man, a 13 track collection of afro-blues songs portrayed in Bai’s unique style. In a descriptive, provocative and sometimes suggestive way, the tales of love, life, relationships and politics are meticulously explored by the raconteur.
“Traveling Medicine Man is the continuation of my introspective journey through my roots and my perpetual quest to make my two homes, Africa and Europe, coexist within me. The title was inspired by my maternal grandfather Tinka Tanner Kargbo, born in 1901 in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. He was educated by Protestant missionaries and later traveled with them across the country to help provide medical care to villagers and townspeople. I was fortunate enough to have spent some time with my grandfather when I was still a child, and one of the things that fascinated me the most about him was his ability to reconcile his Christian beliefs with his traditional African beliefs and customs.”
- Bai Kamara Jr
For the making of this album Bai brought his touring band, The Voodoo Sniffers, into the studio; these exceptional musicians contributed to Bai’s unique and evolving sound. With a percussive nature at the heart of the arrangements this rootsy blues is spiced up with an afro vibe, making you want to get up and dance more often than not.
A warm, funky voice, but just as sober and intimate. Bai Kamara Jr’s music is a mix of afro-blues, roots, soul and jazz influences.
Bai Kamara Jr grew up in the United Kingdom and has lived in Brussels for over 30 years. He is a committed singer-songwriter who reveals his African origins in his music. He has shared the stage with international artists such as Habib Koité, Cassandra Wilson, Rokia Traoré, was the opening act of Vanessa Paradis’ Love Songs International Tour in 2014 and sang in duo with Dani Klein from Vaya Con Dios as well as being her supporting act.
His involvement with NGOs has led to a collaboration with the world star Youssou N’Dour. Two of Bai’s songs were recorded by the Spanish director Paco Torres for the film El Vuelo Del Tren (The Magic of Hope). Bai is a brilliant composer who shows his very diverse musical talent in his five albums (Living Room, Urban Gipsy, Disposable Society, This Is Home and Mystical Survivors).
In January 2020, his fist afro-blues CD Salone was released on the German record label Moosicus / MIG Music. This very personal and bluesy album marked a new stage in Bai Kamara Jr’s career.
Since its release, Salone received great international press reviews and had airplay in Europe, Africa, Australia and North America. In July 2020, Bai Kamara Jr was nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award in the category ‘Acoustic Blues Album of the Year’ for Salone. He was the only non-North American nominee across all award categories.
★ ★ ★ An explosive cultural mix with incredible sincerity… The ideal musical remedy - Rolling Stone (FR)
A showcase album for the best entertainment. Both thumbs up - Rocktimes (DE)
Big crush - Paris-Move (FR)
Among the top in the genre - Rootstime (BE)
Full of rich influences that will delight both lovers of blues and African music - Elektrik Bamboo (FR)
8/10 Original melodies - Eclipsed (DE)
True masterpieces of infinite depth - Zicazic (FR)
★ ★ ★ ★ A superb album - W1RS - Blues & Rock Radio (FR)
Social Media
Sorry, there was a problem.
Twitter returned the following error message:
Could not authenticate you.