Carlou D at the Africa Centre London

Rising star from Senegal Carlou D launched his CD at the Africa Centre in London’s Covent Garden. Some of the greats of African music have walked the floors of the now faded hall including Baaba Maal but the building is in desperate need of some tlc.

I’ve been following Carlou for over two years now, documenting his progress so I was there to take pictures. It was a struggle from the start, as the lighting was simply dreadful and didn’t do justice to the songs of Carlou and his band. The sound wasn’t great either – why is it that live sound engineers all seem to think the solution to any problem is to TURN UP THE VOLUME.

I did my best but sat at the computer late into the night frustrated.

The album ‘Muzikr’ is excellent and with the nurturing of Motherland Music Carlou D looks set to be the man to fill the shoes of Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal.