Ma Ya

Habib Koite & Bamada | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 26, 1999)
• Original Release Date: January 26, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B00000GWYH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,738 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #39 in Music > World Music > Africa > Mali
  • #43 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa

Track Listings

1. Wassiyé

2. Maya

3. Bitile

4. Sirata

5. Foro Bana

6. Sarayama

7. Kumbin

8. Mara Kaso

9. Pula Ku

10. Komine

11. Imada

12. Mansane Cisse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly Masterful Music, December 29, 2000

By 

Christopher Fung (honolulu) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ma Ya (Audio CD)

Habib Koite is the undisputed master musician of modern West African music. This is of course a value judgement, but no other contemporary performer has come so close to capturing the essence of classical instrumental musical of the Manding people alongside an undeniably accessible sensibility for Western melodic structure. By paring down the sound of his band, and using traditional arrangements, he has produced a smooth, warm sound that grooves like a python or a leopard out for a stroll. Simply put, Habib tears it up!

While a former generation of West African stars (notably Youssou N'Dour from Senegal and greats such as Salif Keita and Oumou Sangare from Mali)have approached popular music from a vocal standpoint, Habib (perhaps in a similar fashion to Ali Farka Toure) has chosen to emphasize the instrumental approach and in particular the tradition of plucked stringed instruments such as the guitar-like ngoni and the 21-string kora.

What seperates his music from more traditional offerings is the finesse of the arrangements (from a western musical perspective) which sacrifices none of the dynamic and rhythmic force of traditional Manding music but yet also enables a wonderfully coherent and supple melodic structure to emerge from the music. In this, he is aided by the other musicians of Bamada (virtuoso side men all), who contribute solos, riffs and solid support in an explicitly jazz-band fashion. One consequence of this is that Habib's live concerts follow a very jazz-like format with thematic statements, choruses, individual solos and corresponding applause from the audience.

As an avowed traditionalist, my own personal favorites occur when sparse but judiciously placed rhythmic motifs punctuate the wonderful flow of the music. Check the tracks when the drummer switches from kit to playing a huge gourd with sticks. Beautiful.

Trained as a western classical guitarist in addition to his undoubted expertise in several of the musical traditions of Mali, Habib positions his own music as a fusion of different musical forms. This has enabled him to develop a wonderful balance between rhythm, melody and harmony that has none of the overpowering sonic waves of performers like King Sunny Ade or Youssou. The wonderful understated arrangements also recall traditional griot music and the Fulani guitar traditions which Ali Farka Toure introduced to western audiences.

I must completely agree with every one of the previous reviewers, this is a must-buy album. As an artist, a musician and an arranger, Habib ranks with Miles, Dizzy and Nina Simone. Give it up!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best AfroPop recording of the year, January 14, 2000

By 

WaltSnipe "nude emperor-spotter" (Austin, Tx United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ma Ya (Audio CD)

I can't say enough about this wonderful record. I buy a lot of African music, but this one really stands out. Very contemporary and accessible, but thoroughly African. Outstanding, understated musicianship throughout--particularly Koite's excellent guitar playing. I went to WOMAD USA in Seattle last summer, all the way from Texas, primarily to see Koite, and was not disappointed. His shy, engaging manner captured the crowd at once and held them spell-bound throughout the show. This is a must-buy albumn, and a must-see show (here's hoping he'll tour the US more on his own).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved It, February 11, 2004

By 

Joanneva12a (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ma Ya (Audio CD)

I am new to Habib Koite's music but now I am hooked. From the first times I listened it just made me feel good like sitting in a big oversized comfortable couch. I can't understand the lyrics but the music and his voice carry me off somewhere to another place and time. His voice ripples over the smooth acoustics and laid back rhythms consisting of a blend of blues, jazz and Malian melodies. A Putumayo collaboration, the engineering acoustics on this CD are first rate.