Getting their start at the Kalia refugee camp near the Sierra Leone border in Guinea in 1997, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars released their third studio album, "Radio Salone," in April 2012. Referencing Salone, which is Krio for Sierra Leone, the band encapsulates the rich culture of African music by drawing from musicians often heard on the radio. Such artists served as a connection to other parts of the world for people both inside and outside of the camps.
In this session, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars play two tracks from "Radio Salone," along with a song from the band's first album, "Living Like a Refugee." On "Big Fat Dog" and "Kali," the band reveals its West African roots with steady bass lines and bright guitar melodies. "Garbage to the Showglass" showcases vintage reggae beats and style while never becoming monotonous, but instead, perhaps a bit hypnotic.
All photos by Chris Bay, except for the group photo, by Kelsey McClure.
