Tag: Mali

Le Kéné-Star de Sikasso – Fitiriwale (Mali, 1977, Mali Kunkan)

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Le Kéné-Star de Sikasso was one of the regional Malian Orchestras (such as “L’Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti” or “L’Orchestre Sidi Yassa des Kayes“) back in the 70’s.
The group was composed, among others, by François Ballo, Mamadou Touré, Mamadou Diakité and Cheick Sadibou Diabaté, former members of “L’Orchestre Regional de Sikasso“, who released one album in 1970.
For today, I wanted to share with you “Fitiriwale“, an outstanding psychedelic afro jazz track, recorded and released in France in 1977 on the mythical “Kiosque d’Orphée” label, a song that deals with wedding, and the ingratitude of the husbands towards their former wife and the good things they did for them – Enjoy !
Le Kéné-Star de Sikasso – Fitiriwale
 You can also listen to this track on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/76RJPhrpzX4
Have a nice Sunday,
Armand de Preseau

Ali Farka Touré – Ali Aoudy (Mali, 1984, Disques Esperance)

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Father of the “Desert Blues” genre, Ali Farka Touré was a very well known Malian artist (considered as one of the greatest African guitar player ever), who recorded many albums during his life (his last from 2005, “In the Heart of the Moon“, recorded with Toumani Diabate won a Grammy award) and who collaborated with many national & international artists.
Ali Farka Touré died in 2006 in Bamako at the age of 67.
For today, I wanted to share with you “Ali Aoudy“, a bewitching Afro Desert Blues track from this legendary guitarist, Malian answer to the American bluesman John Lee Hooker – Close your eyes, and enjoy !

Ali Farka Touré – Ali Aoudy

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/IwjDmO1jfmg

Have a nice sunny sunday !

Armand de Preseau

Idrissa Soumaoro et l’Eclipse de l’I.J.A – Nissodia (Mali, 1978, Eterna)

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For today, I wanted to share with you a legendary Malian record out in 1978 on ETERNA, a German based label from Idrissa Soumaoro and the German association “L’Eclipse de l’Institut des Jeunes Aveugles” (I.J.A.) (Blind teenagers institute).

This record was produced at the time by the German association that took care of blind Malian teenagers in Bamako, and it was never properly released commercially.

This is the first record on which were revealed three future huge names of the Malian music : Idrissa Soumaoro, Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia (the well known Malian musical couple “Amadou & Mariam“, who got married together later, but that’s another story..).

The track presented here, “Nissodia” (that could be translated in English by “Joy Of Optimism“), is a pure gem, 8min long feel-good blend of furious guitars, psychedelic organ parts & celestal voices – Enjoy !!

Idrissa Soumaoro et l’Eclipse de l’I.J.A – Nissodia

You can also listen to it on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/aVKG8-DFROk

Best regards,

Armand de Preseau

Orchestre Rail Band – Moko-Diolo (Mali, 1973, RCAM)

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Following to this post, i wanted to share with you for today “Moko-Diolo“, a powerful Afro Jerk Funk track taken from the second single released in 1973 by the Malian orchestra “Orchestre Rail Band” from this band that Salif Keita, Mory Kanté & Tidiani Koné were part of – Enjoy !

State-sponsored by the national railroad Malian Company (it explains the name of the band), Le Rail Band was the most powerful Malian orchestra, that released more than ten LP’s and many 7′ from the 70’s to the late 80’s.
The Rail Band’s leader was the great Tidiani Koné, an outstanding musician who was also a griot (a kind of religious leader/ influent personality), who decided to give his chance at this time to a young albino singer, Salif Keita, that would become world famous in the future.

Orchestre Rail Band – Moko-Diolo

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/XHzR4n0OLIU

Best regard,

Armand de Preseau

Tidiani Kone Et le T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou – Djanfa Magni (Benin, 1977, Albarika Store)

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Another Afrobeat / Soukous hit track by Le Tout Puissant Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou !!
Horns are played by the Malian musician Tidiani Kone, the bandleader, founder and member of l’Orchestre Super Rail Band du Buffet Hotel Del La Gare De Bamako (Mali), it explains the similarities in the trumpet playing between this track and “Mouo Dilo“, by the Super Rail Band.

The title of this awesome track, “Djanfa Magni“, can be translated in those words : “Betrayal isn’t good” – undoubtedly true, right ? 

Tidiani Kone Et le T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou – Djanfa Magni
 You can also listen to this track on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/-SvgyE2xsw0
Best regards,
Armand

Balla et ses Balladins – Samba (Guinea, 1972, Editions Syliphone Conakry)

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“Samba” is a very well known traditional folk song from the Wassoulou area (situated between Ivory Coast, Guinea and Mali), adapted here by the national legendary “Balla et ses Balladins” Guinean orchestra, leaded by Balla Onivogui.

This song talks about Samba, a young and unlucky taxi driver from Conakry (Guinea) who fall in love with one of his customers. He steals the earings of the girl to see her again, but the father of the girl finds out the craftiness of the young Samba and casts out the boy. After many adventures, everything goes finally in order when Samba asks the girl in marriage.

Several covers of this song, in different musical styles, were recording during from the 70s to the 80s, to traditional from afro rock and funk way – Hope you’ll enjoy this one !!

Balla et ses Balladins – Samba

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/DWneGfCaVps

Take care,

Armand

Orchestre Rail Band – Marabayasa (Mali, 1973, RCAM)

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Hi everyone !
Today, I decided to make you (re)discover one of the great African Orchestra, from the Mystical country of Mali : L’Orchestre Rail Band du Buffet Hotel de la Gare de Bamako, also nicknamed Le Rail Band.
State-sponsored by the national railroad Malian Company (it explains the name of the band), Le Rail Band was the most powerful Malian orchestra, that released more than ten LP’s and many 7′ from the 70’s to the late 80’s.
The Rail Band’s leader was the great Tidiani Koné, an outstanding musician who was also a griot (a kind of religious leader/ influent personality), who decided to give his chance at this time to a young albino singer, Salif Keita, that would become world famous in the future.
Here is the track “Marabayasa” (Mariba Yasa or Marba Yassah), an outsanding track taken from the first album of the band, driven by Mamadou Bagayoko‘s devastating drums, Alfred Coulibaly‘s savage saxophone and Salif Keita‘s holy voice – Enjoy !

Orchestre Rail Band – Marabayasa

You can also listen to this track on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/BCBM6XDi9HI

Take care,

Armand

Picture Artwork from my friend Faud from Les Mains Noires

Super Biton de Segou – Nienema Mine (Mali, 1986, Bolibana Productions)

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For today, I wanted to make you rediscover one of my favourite Malian tracks, “Nienema Mine“, an awesome and epic 7 min long psychedelic track taken from the third album of “Le Super Biton de Segou“, one of the most important Orchestras of the country.

It was leaded by the trumpetist Amadou Bâ and created in 1964 from the fusion of 3 bands : “Le Segou Jazz“, “L’Orchestre de l’Alliance Jazz” and “L’Orchestre Regional de Segou” – Enjoy !!

Super Biton de Segou – Nienema Mine

You can also listen  to this on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/Q_jB846VvWg

Regards,

Armand de Preseau

International Soleil Band – Ta Lassa (Mali, 1983, West African Music)

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The International Soleil Band was a bunch of Malian and Guinean musicians who recorded a unique album in 1983 on the French based label “WAM“.

“Ta Lassa“, the song presented today, is a track I always play in club and parties, groovy as hell, a blend of traditionnal rhythms, syncoped guitar riffs and nervous organ solo parts that sounds a bit like a tropical Giorgio Moroder recording – Enjoy !

International Soleil Band – Ta Lassa

You can also listen to this track on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/QGH_asQTcVI

Best regards,

Armand

Ousmane Kouyaté Et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux – Kefimba (Guinea Conakry, 1983, Musique Mondiale)

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Ousmane Kouyaté is a composer, arranger and musician (balafon and guitar player) born in 1950 in Dabola (Guinea Conakry).

He released 5 albums, and played with many great African musicians, such as Salif Keïta, Kante Manfila, Cheikh Tidiane Seck or Mory Kante (he played the guitar on the African hit “Mandjou” with the Malian band “Les Ambassadeurs”) and played in the very well known “Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux” among with Salif Keïta (Mali) and Kante Manfila (Guinea Conakry).

The track I wanted to present you today, “Kefimba”, is a storming long afro funk track with crazy synth and furious guitar parts taken from the second album of Ousmane Kouyaté, recorded in 1983 in Mali with Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux.

Ousmane Kouyaté Et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux – Kefimba

You can also listen to it on my Youtube channel here : https://youtu.be/y9RjY-R2FU4

See you soon,

Armand