Mim Suleiman
A small lady with a big voice, Zanzibar–born Mim Suleiman sings Afro-beat mixed with global fusion, mostly in her native language Swahili, with occasional detours into English and other languages such as Fulani.
Her work is always delivered with a big heart and exuberant dance. Mim recently performed as one of the 80 members of the highly acclaimed Africa Express train tour of the UK, as well as in the BT River of music as part of the pre-Olympic world music festival. A Real World recorded and Womad listed artist, Mim also runs singing and storytelling workshops, and is writing a book about the food, music and stories of Zanzibar. Music
She has most recently released two solo albums with Maurice Fulton(See music page). In the past as well recording her own songs, she has sung the backing vocals for the award winning album ‘Tell no lies’ by Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara, was a former member of Sheffiedl’s Rafiki Jazz, and played with Bare Knuckle Soul, recording an album, and playing a session in the BBC’s Maidavale studios.
Tours
Africa Express train tour, UK cities; BT River of Music, London docklands; Africa Express, Brighton; Womad, Charlton park; 10 Days, Tasmania; Serious/Move On Up, UK collaborative; Sauti za Busara & Jahazi festivals, Zanzibar; Glastonbury, UK; Justin & Juldeh, Tell no lies tour, UK;
Africa Express reviews:
”Undoubtedly the show was a highly entertaining success, although perhaps a qualified one, with those who weren’t inclined to take notes perhaps remaining unaware that Traore’s was the name behind that elemental vocal, or that the Zanzibarian Mim Suleiman was the woman with the ferocious voice and dance moves appearing alongside Krar Collective in the second room.”
The Independent
”Yet among such a wealth of talent, individual performances threatened to become lost, and it’s uncertain how many in the audience would have been aware afterwards, for example, that Rokia Traore was the wonderful Malian singer who duetted with Albarn on Gorillaz’ On Melancholy Hill, or that the wild-haired and electrifying of voice Mim Suleiman had been the star of the show.” The Scotsman
”From the UK, there were the likes of Rizzle Kicks, Afrikan Boy, Martina Topley-Bird, Kyla La Grange, Reeps One, Pauli the PSM, as well as London-based Krar Collective, originally from Ethiopia, and Tanzanian Mim Suleiman, among many others.” The BBC
Other reviews:
”For me, the highlights were when Diabel Cissokho took the lead, and the breathtaking performance of Mim Suleiman” The great escape festival, UK Festivals guide
”Listen to Kele Kele (No Passport No Visa), driven by Adams’s cracking Bo Diddley-esque guitar rhythm and Martin Barker’s choppy drum beat, while Camara’s vocals soar over swirling ritti and Mim Suleiman’s ecstatic backing vocals. – Guardian review on a gig at London’s Jazz Cafe
Other comments:
“Think of Miriam Makeba, meets Aretha Franklin……..Mim show-stopping performace is already the talk of the town” (Dave Jarvis.)
”Soulful, soaring, deep, and divine, Mim’s presence and music is a blessing” (mpenzi)