ORCHÉSTRE BAKA GBINÉ – Kopolo (2012)

Orchéstre Baka Gbiné is a unique musical ensemble formed entirely of Baka musicians from the rainforest on the Cameroon‑Congo border. Deeply rooted in Baka traditions, the group blends traditional singing, instruments, and dance with modern influences and rhythms.

The band emerged from the long-term collaboration between British musicians Martin Cradick and Su Hart (of Baka Beyond) and the Baka community. Starting in the early 1990s, they lived and played with the Baka, introducing guitars and recording sessions in the forest. In 2006 their debut album Gati Bongo was recorded via solar‑powered mobile studios in the rainforest. It marked the formal beginning of Orchéstre Baka Gbiné—“Gbiné” roughly meaning “help” in Baka.

Orchéstre Baka Gbiné is entirely composed of Baka people—the only group of its kind in Cameroon—and faithfully carries the authentic soundscapes of their forest heritage. The Baka are an Indigenous forest-dwelling group primarily found in the southeastern rainforests of Cameroon, as well as parts of Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic. They are one of several groups often referred to (often inaccurately and pejoratively) as “Pygmies”—a term that has colonial and derogatory connotations and is best avoided. “Baka” is their own name for themselves, and it’s the respectful and accurate term to use.

Their music combines complex, polyphonic vocal harmonies (notably the shimmering “yelli” dawn songs), water drumming (liquindi), traditional stringed instruments like the ngombi and ieta, alongside guitars and percussion learned via external influences.

The Baka musicians from Gbiné have come a long way since the release of their last album Gati Bongo. Whereas none of them had ever performed outside their forest home before Gati Bongo was recorded, since it’s release they have toured in UK, Belgium and Holland as well as around Cameroon and Congo. They have formed a tight rhythm section which melds with their polyphonic vocal harmonies to create their own unique style as can be heard on the new recording.

Although there is now keen competition at Gbiné to play in the band, the rhythm section has become a fixed line-up of Sangowé Elvis on drum kit, Ndia Arbitre on percussion, Barma Jean-Marie on bass and Ndeké Norbert on rhythm guitar. Pelembir Dieudonné is still the most prolific of the song-writers and dynamic of the performers, but others are treading on his heels including his son Freddie (who can be seen singing on the video of “Ewoundo”. Mbeh Prosper again provides most of the lead guitar with a bit of help here and there from Baka Beyond’s Martin Cradick, who also recorded it all on location deep in the rainforest near the Cameroon-Congo border and mixed and produced it at The Vortex in UK.

Although Baka Gbiné have been developing their performance of traditional music and dance, this album is another collection of contemporary guitar based songs guaranteed to get your body moving and your spirits rising. Gati Bongo has been in the iTunes World charts since its release back in 2006. It’s sales have helped finance projects set up with the Baka at Gbiné and Global Music Exchange (http://www.1heart.org) which have really made a difference to the lives and social standing of the Baka. Every time Martin returns to Cameroon to continue work with the Baka he is asked when the next album will be ready. Well here’s one track from it