World Routes - 22/05/2010

Fifty years after sixteen countries in Africa became independent, Lucy Duran and the French journalist Florent Mazzoleni play rare tracks from that period. Music was to play a central role in the search for new identity, and in the 60s and 70s some of the continent's greatest dance music was created. Today's programme celebrates countries that became independent in the first half of 1960 including Congo, Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon. Producer James Parkin. Based in Bordeaux, the French writer and photographer Florent Mazzoleni has travelled all over Africa collecting music, and in particular, documentating the soundtrack of the golden era of Atlantic African music. He's written fifteen books, most notably "Epic of African music: Rhythms of Atlantic Africa" and "Salif Keita, Voice of the Mandingo". His latest book, "Motown: Soul and glamour" will be translated into English this autumn. The programme includes tracks from Florent's collection many of which have not been re-released since their limited pressing in the 60s and 70s - let alone played on British radio. And these are tracks that reflect a unique period in African history: a period of liberation and short-lived optimism. Another programme with Florent will be broadcast in September 2010, and will celebrate some of the African countries that became independent in the second half of 1960, such as Mali, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Gabon.