Babenzele Pygmies
Listening to these field recordings is the closest one can get to visiting the pygmies without actually traveling to a remote region in Africa. Louis Sarno, a native of New Jersey, became transfixed by pygmy music when he first heard a traditional song in 1979. He traveled to Central Africa, recording the songs of these ancient forest dwellers and became an important advocate for pygmy music in Europe. Their seemingly simple existence is contrasted with their complex pentatonic vocal harmonies which are unlike anything else in the world. Ultimately, he abandoned Europe and relocated permanently to the Central African Republic, where he was adopted by the Babenzele Pygmies. He wrote a book, Songs of the Forest, and released his recordings documenting ceremonies, group and solo performances. The haunting thumb piano plucking and interlaced vocal harmony are augmented by the authentic ambiance of the rain forest.
