Inspiring: Baaba Maal for Playing For Change

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.

Baba Salah, Pentatonic Songhai goodness – in French!

ImprimirOur 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:

Iba Diabaté “Mouna” available in iTunes

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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!!