As we get ready to fly out to Ghana to meet with local music studios, it is very inspiring to listen to Baaba Maal singing in Kirina, Mali. He’s there with the Playing For Change foundation, who have started building music schools in Africa. In their own words:

“The Playing For Change Foundation is building a new music school in the Village of Kirina, Mali. Kirina is a village of musicians, some of whom can trace their musical ancestry back over 75 generations! In this very special episode West African music legend Baaba Maal and friends perform for the village elders in honor of the new “Playing For Life” music school that is just beginning construction.”

Check out more at Playing for Change’s Vimeo channel.

Our friend Toni Polo of Radio Groovalizacion has spent the last few months in Bamako, digging deep into the rich musical traditions of Mali. He recently interviewed Baba Salah, a musician we featured on our first compilation Akwaaba wo Africa, and more importantly one of Mali’s most celebrated artist – yet a relatively unknown musician outside of Mali! Check back for some more Baba Salah music very soon, and in the meantime let yourself sink into the sounds of Baba… the interview is in French, but you can enjoy plenty of fine music on this great show.

Here’s a repost of a great video interview Toni did with Alou Sangaré:

Thanks to Toni Polo of Radio Groovalización for this beautiful piece he cut with Alou days ago in Bamako.

Yeah… we’re hams! Couldn’t resist but post this massive feature courtesy of our friends over at iTunes. If this is any indication, Iba’s album is well worth checking out. Thanks again to Bruno & the iTunes US team for helping us push this fabulous music!!

To celebrate a great 2009, our friends at Six Degrees are letting the world sample their releases: they’re giving away 8 mp3s on their site, go check them out! We couldn’t resist to share one of the tracks right here:

Download “Fafa” – Vieux Farka Touré

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For those who forgot… Vieux Farka Touré, despite his name (vieux = old in French) is not Ali Farka Touré ancestor, but his own SON!! He’s been on the road pushing his dad’s legacy worldwide, and even counts Ahmed Fofana as one of his musicians, often his small orchestra’s conductor actually. On this one he gets the electro treatment courtesy of Sabbo, our favorite kuduro inspired Israeli producer, who’s already done damage with the Ze Bula remixes. This one being the track Fondo, coming out on Six Degrees. Read about it here or download the remix directly:

Vieux Farka Touré – Fondo (Sabbo remix)

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Here’s an interesting article about Le Hogon, one of Bamako, Mali’s prime spots for live music. We heard Toumani Diabaté perform there in April 2008, and… are eager to return asap. Except we were told it closed down, any tips on other good music venues in Bamako?