Wassa,

You have managed to put Laba's musical contribution in a wider global 
historical perspective which I have enjoyed very much reading.

Laba was also a very amicable man and his company could be as entertaining 
as his music as I was to learn when he was invited to the annual music 
festival in Tromso, northern Norway a couple of years ago whiles I was 
living there.

When I invited him to dinner with the rest of his group he was quick to 
request a Gambian dish and begged that I please get hold of some real chili 
pepper as he had been struggling to maintain his appetite which he loses 
readily without real chili. I assured him not to worry. Apparently he had 
never tried 'Yellow man,' a variant of chili pepper which I was convinced 
when I first tried it that it was genetically engineered. Our local 'kani 
Sierra-yong' does not even come close, and on hindsight, I should have 
warned him, but I doubt if he would have listened...

For instead of enhancing his appetite, it seemed to have destroyed it and he 
insisted all evening: 'Suma raka, lee du kani,' pushing it away and would 
not have it anywhere near him and the rest of his group had a field day! His 
Senegalese host thanked me profusely (humorously), explaining how Laba had 
emptied all jars in his house that had the semblance of chili taste, 
complaining that too was not chili.

The following day when I attended his send-off gathering, he was was still 
insistent: 'wye suma raka, lolu du kani,' the same last words he repeated 
when we hugged goodbye.

It was a short encounter but that's how I'll always remember Laba, always in 
a jovial mood that never failed to infect those around.

May His Adventurous Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!

Again that for this wonderful piece!

Regards,

Kabir.






--------------------------------------------------
From: "Wassa Fatti" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 5:03 PM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: LABA SOSSEH'S- Legacy and contribution to mordern Senegambian 
music.

>
> LABA SOSSEH – The historical legacy of an African musical genius.
> By Wassa Fatty
>
>
>
> Part 1
>
> Laba’s background:
> Laba Sosseh, the Gambian born Senegal based Salsa music singer died in 
> September this year. Laba, mostly called the king of Salsa music in Africa 
> has joined our ancestors after his journey in this world. His death after 
> a long illness was mourned by many Salsa music lovers the world over, more 
> so in Senegal where he was honoured by the nation. This material is a 
> tribute as well as an assessment of the contributions of the late singer 
> to the development of modern SeneGambian music.
>
 

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