Segu Blue
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba
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| Total: 15 Songs |
Album Review
The West African lute called the ngoni is a little akin to its descendent, the banjo. In music from the region, it is often employed as part of groups with additional instrumentation. Bassekou Kouyate, who's worked with many Malian greats, takes it out of this context by leading a band with no less than four ngonis and producing some of the loveliest music to come from the area in recent years. Some of it is quite dramatic, like the opener, "Tabali Te," but for the most part there is a gorgeous, lulling gentility to everything. The material is all original, but with a traditional spirit and with much derived from the repertoire of the griots. The big exception is "Lament for Ali Farka," an elegy to Kouyate's late employer, the great Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré. Another local guitar player, Lobi Traoré, is featured on "Banani," and singer Zoumana Tereta is a guest on several cuts, showing off a very impressive voice. Put it all together and you have a disc that's nothing short of stunning.
Customer Reviews
musical gem!
The sound of the West African banjo, the n'goni, is the predominant voice on this recording. Many African pop records feature mostly western intruments, while this record features exclusively West African acoustic intruments. The voices, especially Ami Sacko, are magical! And Bassekou, himself, is a virtuoso. This recording takes you right to the heart of Mali. Highly recommended!
Top Albums and Songs By Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
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1 |
Bambugu Blues (feat. Andra Kouyate & Vieux Farka Toure) | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 5:05 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Jonkoloni | Segu Blue | 5:05 | $0.69 | View In iTunes |
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3 |
I Speak Fula | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 3:41 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Jamana Be Diya (feat. Kasse Mady Diabate & Toumani Diabate) | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 4:58 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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5 |
Falani (feat. Toumani Diabate) | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 5:45 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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6 |
Bassekou | Segu Blue | 3:21 | $0.69 | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Torin Torin (feat. Harouna Samake) | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 4:47 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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8 |
Ngoni fola | Segu Blue | 4:15 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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9 |
Musow (For Our Women) | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 5:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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10 |
Amy (feat. Zoumana Tereta) | I Speak Fula (Bonus Track Version) | 4:31 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
