Putumayo Presents: Mali

Amazon.com
Listeners as yet unfamiliar with the startlingly broad musical geography of Mali might find it hard to believe that the 11 tracks on Putumayo's new Mali compilation all come from the same country. Indeed, part of the pleasure of listening to Mali comes in encountering a musical tradition so rich it encompasses everything from the electric guitar-powered trance music of Tinariwen ("Amassakoul 'N'Tenere") to the picture perfect global pop of Ramatou Diakite ("Gembi") and the virtuosic acoustic guitar fireworks of Habib Koite and Bamada. As compilations go, Mali isn't quite the sprawling musical survey that the West African country so richly deserves--for one thing, worldwide stars like Salif Keita, Ali Farka Toure and Oumou Sangare are unrepresented here. But as an introduction to the almost shocking musical diversity of Mali, it's a good start. Most listeners, after journeying from Boubacar Traore's countrified, accordion-laced "Kanou" to Issa Bagayoyo's house beat-inflected "Bana" to the electronic landscape of Mamou Sidibe's "Bassa Kele," will find it hard not to dig a little deeper on their own into one of the many facets of this musical world that Mali represents. --Ezra Gale

Product Description
"A lot of people believe Mali will be the next Cuba," says Putumayo VP of A&R Jacob Edgar, reflecting on the potential of Mali’s music to crossover to a wider audience. "The music is otherworldly and familiar at the same time, and the artists have really interesting stories."

One of the most striking things about Putumayo Presents Mali is the diversity of artists represented. Ramatou Diakité comes from the fields of the bluesy Wassoulou region of southern Mali. Tinariwen is a Kel Temeshek or Tuareg band, whose trancey Sahara desert blues served as the musical soundtrack to a fierce fight against discrimination. Habib Koité originates from the Bambara tribe and is known for integrating a diversity of Malian styles into his repertoire. Habib is signed to Putumayo and has released two successful albums, Ma Ya and Baro on the label. A live track and an enhancement featuring a live concert performance by Habib are highlights of the collection.

The Mali album also features legends that didn’t gain recognition until later in life. Idrissa Soumaoro didn’t record his first album until age 55. When he was young, Soumaoro played in Les Ambassadeurs alongside legends Salif Keïta and Kante Manfila. Often seen on stage with Habib Koité, Kélétigui Diabaté is a legendary figure in Malian music and one of the foremost balafón (xylophone) players in Africa. Boubacar Traoré was once heard daily on national radio in Mali, but disappeared into obscurity after his wife passed away.

Mali features a Malian recipe for Tiguadégé Na (meat in peanut sauce) and colorful photos from the Lonely Planet book series. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated to Oxfam America in support of their development efforts in Mali.

Tracks:

Maninda - Moussa Diallo
Kanawa - Habib Koite And Bamada
Ouili Ka Bo - Idrissa Soumaoro
Bassa Kele - Mamou Sidibe
Bana - Issa Bagayogo
Amassakoul 'N' Tenere - Tinariwen
Gembi - Ramatou Diakite
Koulandian - Keletigui Diabate
Fala - Tom Diakite
Kanou - Boubacar Traore
Saramaya (Live) - Habib Koite & Bamada

Amazon.com

Listeners as yet unfamiliar with the startlingly broad musical geography of Mali might find it hard to believe that the 11 tracks on Putumayo's new Mali compilation all come from the same country. Indeed, part of the pleasure of listening to Mali comes in encountering a musical tradition so rich it encompasses everything from the electric guitar-powered trance music of Tinariwen ("Amassakoul 'N'Tenere") to the picture perfect global pop of Ramatou Diakite ("Gembi") and the virtuosic acoustic guitar fireworks of Habib Koite and Bamada. As compilations go, Mali isn't quite the sprawling musical survey that the West African country so richly deserves--for one thing, worldwide stars like Salif Keita, Ali Farka Toure and Oumou Sangare are unrepresented here. But as an introduction to the almost shocking musical diversity of Mali, it's a good start. Most listeners, after journeying from Boubacar Traore's countrified, accordion-laced "Kanou" to Issa Bagayoyo's house beat-inflected "Bana" to the electronic landscape of Mamou Sidibe's "Bassa Kele," will find it hard not to dig a little deeper on their own into one of the many facets of this musical world that Mali represents. --Ezra Gale

Album Description

"A lot of people believe Mali will be the next Cuba," says Putumayo VP of A&R Jacob Edgar, reflecting on the potential of Mali's music to crossover to a wider audience. "The music is otherworldly and familiar at the same time, and the artists have really interesting stories."

The Mali album also features legends that didn't gain recognition until later in life. Idrissa Soumaoro didn't record his first album until age 55. When he was young, Soumaoro played in Les Ambassadeurs alongside legends Salif Keïta and Kante Manfila. Often seen on stage with Habib Koité, Kélétigui Diabaté is a legendary figure in Malian music and one of the foremost balafón (xylophone) players in Africa. Boubacar Traoré was once heard daily on national radio in Mali, but disappeared into obscurity after his wife passed away.

Customer Reviews:

An impressive West African journey.......2006-06-18

"Mali",like "South Pacific Islands",has a music video,a recipe,AND,most importantly,great music!

Highlights-
1)Maninda-A song about a storyteller.The mbira (thumb piano)keeps this song dynamic.
2)Ouili Ka Bo-I'm not a big blues fan.But this is a pwerful little song,with harmonica accompaniment no less!
3)Amassakoul 'N'Tenere-Tinariwen sing a form of West African blues that's so infectious you want to sing along.I was enchanted the first time I heard them on the radio.
4)Koulandian-A wonderful instrumental duet between guitarist/singer Habib Koite&balafon (xylophone) player Keletigui Diabate.Sometimes,words aren't necessary.
5)Kanou-A song that blends a Bollywood sensibility with Mali blues.Very uplifting.
6)Bana-An exclusive track from the Afro-techno master,Issa Bagayogo!As to be expected,it's great.Still,I wonder why Putumayo sometimes borrows from Six Degrees Records.Six Degrees Records distinguishes itself with its world techno dance music artists/compilations.Putumayo is expert with acoustic music.It's good that Putumayo is getting the music out with Issa Bagayogo not only on this CD but on its other great African compilation "African Groove."
7)Saramaya-A powerful live performance from Habib Koite.You'll understand why the crowd is cheering!

It's great to see Putumayo is encouraging people to explore Malian music.This is a good start.

Denver, Colorado.......2006-06-04

Malian music is absolutely astonishing and indescribeably beautiful. While each of the songs here are unique and stand out as works of art, Amassakoul N Tenere by Tinariwen and Fala by Tom Diakite are breathtakingly songs. The band Tinariwen are brilliant composers and performers. Their story is almost as amazing as their music. Their two records are as good as it gets at any level.

a fantastic birthday present.......2005-06-14

I am heading for Mali next year and have dutifully researched the country...but what really grabbed me was the music. It is beautiful and relaxing and exciting and mood-setting. Here is the triumph of the human spirit: despite poverty and disease and whatnot...there is music (absolutely amazing music at that)! This collection is a very good sampling of what Mali has to offer. I would recommend it for anyone who appriciates good music, whether or not connected to Africa, or anyone who enjoys the Putumayo series in general.

A really good birthday present, thanks M!

Favorite songs: All of them, particularly: Maninda,Gembi,Bassa Kele and Kanou.

Rock Music:

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