Djibouti: Ostinato Records to release Groupe RTD album

The label’s latest project, The Dancing Devils of Djibouti, is a 10-track album by Groupe RTD. The group is the official band of the national broadcaster, Radiodiffusion-Télévision Djibouti (RTD).

Ostinato Records founder Vik Sohonie told Music In Africa that although the sounds in the album are heavily influenced by Somali music, there is also a mix of Bollywood music, American jazz and Djibouti’s cosmopolitan sound that came from intercultural exchanges over the years as a result of the country’s harbour, which attracted traders from around the world.

Sohonie's first encounter with the band was in 2016 when he travelled to Djibouti to meet with RTD officials, who granted him full access to the broadcaster’s music archives. At the time, he was interested in acquiring the rights for the 2017 compilation album of Somali music, Sweet as Broken Dates, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Historical Album.

It was during his 2016 visit to Djibouti that Sohonie met Groupe RTD bandleader and saxophonist Mohamed Abdi Alto. “He’s a national treasure, the best saxophonist in the country and possibly the most unheralded saxophone virtuoso in all of Africa,” Sohonie said. 

Other members of the group are Omar Farah Houssein (drums), Moussa Aden Ainan (keys), Salem Mohamed Ahmed (dumbek), Abdirazak Hagi Sufi 'Kaajaa' (guitar) and Abdo Houssein Handeh (bass). the vocalists include Asma Omar Om, Guessod Abdo Hamargod, and Hassan Omar Houssein. 

“Groupe RTD is the finest expression of Djibouti’s cosmopolitan culture,” Sohonie said. “By day, they perform for presidential and national events and welcome foreign dignitaries. By night, when no longer on official duty, Groupe RTD is clearly one of East Africa’s best-kept secrets.”

The Dancing Devils of Djibouti was recorded in a mobile studio over three days – a deadline imposed by the local authorities. “Djibouti’s authorities gave us only three days to record the entire set, with no extension,” Sohonie said. 

“The recording equipment in the radio had not been upgraded in decades, and technical neglect meant we had to devise a novel approach to ensure the highest quality recording possible. With the help of Djibouti’s head of customs, we flew in a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio.”

Sohonie believes that the album, which is available for pre-order, will help change global perceptions of Djibouti, renew interest in its rich musical heritage and inspire the government to allow the band to tour internationally.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Sohonie said that part of the album sales would be donated to Djibouti’s ambassador to Germany, to purchase masks and other essential supplies for his country.

Ostinato Records works to capture music from countries that have experienced trauma and displacement. The label’s other compilations include Somali Sounds from Mogadishu to Djibouti and Synthesize Soul: Astro-Atlantic Hypnotica from the Cape Verde Islands 1973-1988.