Azizi wrote:
"I'm wondering if there were other American singers besides Phil Ochs who predated Simon's collaboration with African singers"

I've wondered about this, too. I can only think of Pete Seeger, but he probably didn't collaborate with other musicians, rather that popularise (and acknowledge) other songs.

There may have been some jazz musicians; there certainly was a developing Afro-centric consciousness from the early 1960's; but, again, this may have been influence rather than collaboration.

Would you like to start another discussion topic here, maybe others have views.

Thanks for the translation, and putting me right about the actual language; I was uncertain.

They're great songs, typical of African pop music of that era. A really interesting collaboration. Did he do it as a political gesture, I wonder?

Norman