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Camayenne Sofa
(Guinea)
Biography
Camayenne Sofa started rehearsing as Sextet Camayenne in the Camayenne Hotel in Conakry.
Soon renamed in Camayenne Sofa, the 14-piece band was composed of young students and musicians, founding members
were Papa Kouyaté, Jean-Baptiste Williams, Riad Chaloub et Justin Morel Junior.
They rapidly were successful with songs about
youth, love, education, African unity and against violence.
The band turned out to be unstable. From the original members, Bossély Keita, Mamadou Camara "M.C.", and Salia Camara left for Kaloum Star. Drummer Papa Kouyaté left for Miriam Makeba's Quintet Guinéen, and singer Ange Miguel left for the Tambourinis.
Only Jean-Baptiste Williams remained, changing to solo guitar. François Koïvogui (on bass) became chef d'orchestre and Pierre Koïvogui drummer. The singers were Mamady Kala Camara, Youssouf Bâ 'Youyou' (b. 1954, † 12 July 2015) and Zézé Guilavogui. Camayenne Sofa was successful in the mid-1970s, especially with their icon song « Were Were », sometimes referred to as the Guinean « Guantanamera ». Over the years several albums were recorded. The band is no longer active.
The band turned out to be unstable. From the original members, Bossély Keita, Mamadou Camara "M.C.", and Salia Camara left for Kaloum Star. Drummer Papa Kouyaté left for Miriam Makeba's Quintet Guinéen, and singer Ange Miguel left for the Tambourinis.
Only Jean-Baptiste Williams remained, changing to solo guitar. François Koïvogui (on bass) became chef d'orchestre and Pierre Koïvogui drummer. The singers were Mamady Kala Camara, Youssouf Bâ 'Youyou' (b. 1954, † 12 July 2015) and Zézé Guilavogui. Camayenne Sofa was successful in the mid-1970s, especially with their icon song « Were Were », sometimes referred to as the Guinean « Guantanamera ». Over the years several albums were recorded. The band is no longer active.
Camayenne Sofa's first album
Created: as Sextet Camayenne, 1974
Style: mandingo music
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Ma Guinée | 2019 | HCGN-DJM | Re-issue of late 70s/early 80s songs |
| Volume 2: Attaque | 1999 | Syllart 38219-2 | Re-issue on CD (SLP 60 + side A of SLP 56) |
| Volume 1: La Percée | 1999 | Syllart 38215-2 | Re-issue on CD (SLP 52 + side B of SLP 56) |
| Multinational Camayenne Sofa | 1982 | Badmos BIR 007 | |
| Attaque... | 1977 | Syliphone SLP 60 | LP |
| A Grands Pas | 1976 | Syliphone SLP 56 | LP |
| La Percée | 1976 | Syliphone SLP 52 | LP |
Sources
[link : https://www.radioafrica.com.au/Discographies/Syliphone.html];
Liner notes various Syliphone albums
[link : https://www.radioafrica.com.au/Discographies/Syliphone.html];
Liner notes various Syliphone albums
Page added August 2001