VOA标准英语2012--West African-American Band Creates 'Afro-High' in US

West African-American Band Creates 'Afro-High' in US

Togolese native Serge Massama Dogo does a microphone check as the multinational¹ and multisound Elikeh band prepares to practice.

The band is about to release a new album called "Between Two Worlds." 

Dogo says he is always walking a fine line between his home country and the United States.

"I need to adapt to the culture here, and when I go back to Togo to the culture there, and find a fine line to adapt to the language and the music between two worlds," Dogo said.

Dogo describes the group's musical style -- a blend of Afro-beat, traditional Togolese rhythms, jazz, funk and reggae -- as "Afro-high."

Benin native, drummer Eleuthere Gabin Assouramou, says he likes how the band is open to every musician's input².

"You are from here, you come and you put your idea. If it comes from South Africa, West Africa, America, everywhere, they put everything together and it just works like this. And the groove³ is so, so good," Assouramou said.

Elikeh leader Togolese Serge Massama Dogo says life is not a paradise in the United States, but that he is still pursuing his musical dreams. 

To make ends meet, Assouramou says he relies on his wife, who works, teaches music, referees⁴ soccer games and plays in more than half a dozen bands.

He says he gets paid from $20 to several hundred dollars for each performance.

"It is not a paradise, but we are working with it," Dogo said.

Dogo says life is much more complicated in the United States than it was in Togo, but that there is much better access to musical equipment and recording⁵ studios.

"That is the main thing. I have a band that is something I always wanted to do -- write songs, play in front of a public, record songs, and I am doing that. So I think that is my dream and it is happening," Dogo said.

Several Americans are also part of the band, including bass⁶ player Scott Aronson, who previously⁷ played with an alternative rock band.

Aronson says he feels reinvigorated to be part of a band that mixes different cultures and musical styles. Aronson says he also likes how Dogo sings about political and social issues. Aronson says the underlying⁸ messages of political awakening⁹ in the band's songs are universal and timeless.

"Staying strong and fighting for what you believe in. Do not just accept what someone tells you or what is being put out there. Find out for yourself and have a voice," Aronson said.

Songs on the new album call on African leaders to curb¹⁰ corruption¹¹. They are also intended to inspire immigrants leading difficult lives far from home.

At a recent performance in the Washington area, some in the audience, which comprised a mostly older crowd, danced barefoot to Elikeh's beat. 

Band members say that if their new album is successful, they hope to tour the world and cross as many borders as they can.

1 multinational   

adj.多国的，多种国籍的；n.多国籍公司，跨国公司

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm.这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He analyzed the relationship between multinational corporations and under-developed countries.他分析了跨国公司和不发达国家之间的关系。

2 input   

n.输入(物)；投入；vt.把(数据等)输入计算机

参考例句：

• I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.我将永远感激他的大量投入。
• All this information had to be input onto the computer.所有这些信息都必须输入计算机。

3 groove   

n.沟，槽；凹线，（刻出的）线条，习惯

参考例句：

• They're happy to stay in the same old groove.他们乐于墨守成规。
• The cupboard door slides open along the groove.食橱门沿槽移开。

4 referees   

n.裁判员( referee的名词复数 )；证明人；公断人；（专业性强的文章的）审阅人

参考例句：

• The fiery player has had numerous run-ins with referees. 这位脾气暴躁的队员曾和裁判员发生过无数次争吵。
• If you want to appeal, the Court of Referees will decide. 如果你要上诉，可以由仲裁法庭去判决。 来自辞典例句

5 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

6 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

7 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

8 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

9 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

10 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

11 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。