I met with Alou Sangaré yesterday, we had a chat at a bar close to where I’m staying, by the route de Koulikoro. He’s a native of Koutiala, east of Bamako near the Burkinabé border. He is the son of Madou Guitare, an influential member of several 70s Malian orchestras. Alou has been recording music for 12 years, fusing traditional melodies with modernized arrangements, appealing to young Malians while carrying on his father’s legacy.
Today I heard him playing live here in Bamako at a place called the Parc des Princes. The show was great, full of energy, Alou had everyone dancing! Quite a departure from the stereotypical Malian music concert in Europe or the US, where for the most part people sit down the entire time!
Contacts at the Centre Culturel Français (French Cultural Center) of Bamako pointed me in the direction of young musicians experimenting with traditional sounds and new music styles. I met Chanana, leader of Diata Sya, who’s first album is both creative and diverse, with hip hop and dancehall songs using typical Malian instruments and chords. Yet it’s never been released outside of Mali, it almost got released in France but the project fell through the cracks. We’re happy to give it a second chance, this time worldwide!
Through the CCF I also met two other great singers. First I met Lloyd, a Sierra Leonian who fled the war in his native land, and settled in Mali where he formed Eden Roots Liberation with his partner Patrick. I also met Jahman, who is originally from Cameroun but also chose to live in Bamako. Akwaaba will release both of their reggae albums, Genesis and Waiting for the News, which were produced and arranged by roots-sound wizard Manjul. Oh and Jahman’s album has some very nice dubs…
Eden Roots Liberation’s Sierra Leonese singer Lloyd Tommy (Bamako, Mali)
Today Alassane stopped by Badou’s place in Fann, where I’ve been staying the last few nights. He’s a native of Tivaouane, near Thiès in Senegal. He’s been singing back-up vocals for numerous Senegalese artists, singing in both Wolof and Pular, and is now releasing his own album, an acoustic blend of Senegalese mbalax where he tackles his country’s social problems.
Some of his songs are absolutely beautiful, one in particular, Ngatamaré, which talks about Senegalese fighters, gives me goosebumps!
