The London African Music Festival, takes place from the 18th - 30th May in the cultural hub that is the South Bank Centre. Featured artists include Ba Cissoko - a group that plug their Cora's into guitar effects boxes for some truly magical playing (see photo left) - Kekele (TT article ), giants such as Africando (TT article), and old faithfuls such as Roy Ayers. If you are in the metropolis this is something not to miss out on, see the full list of artists here.
Returning to the music releases, last month saw the Malian Ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate's album Segu Blue. Those familiar with the regions local artists may have noticed him appearing with Toumani Diabate where he accompanied on the Cora. Kouyate also had the honour of playing most of the Ngoni solos on Ali Farka Toure’s final album, Savane. For those a little mystified by the Ngoni, it is an African lute with a plucked and drier sounds when played alongside the Cora. Segu Blue is receiving wide praised as it is the first time a Ngoni quartet has been captured in a single recording, it's clear also that the appearance of Kouyate is adding extra weight to this new world music entry. For the uninitiated to Ngoni music I do have reservations about whether this is album represents a good entry piece for them as sometimes the recording suffers a little from being over cluttered due the number of Ngoni's in full swing. However for those of us deeply involved in Malian music this is a wonderful album that brings together some truly inspired vocalists and musicians capturing and documenting for us another classic slice of West-African music. I'm sharing a single track, Sinsani from the album here, which features the sublime vocals of Kasse Mady Diabate. In true griot tradition the song tells a story, this time of a great ruler during the last days of the Bamana Empire. Malamini Sisse was dedicated this song by the griots to record the generosity and kindness he had showed to them.Bassekou Kouyate (feat. Kassy Mady Diabate) - Sinsani
