Customer Reviews

Ma Ya

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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).

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.

In the interest of full disclosure, I only discovered this artist while watching an A&E adaption of William Boyd's book, Armadillo. I spent the entire movie wondering where did the wonderful music come from and later discovered Habib Koite on a list of music from the music.
I immediately bought the disk and think it is outstanding. It flows extremely well, is interesting without being instrusive and I will probably be listening to it for years to come.
I highly recommend it to anyone who likes unusual music, or just wants to get into modern African music. 5 big stars.

I don't know that much about African music so I won't go into revieving this technically.
A friend of mine though is an expert when it comes to it. He's Djing and selling African Music all days long. He once played this CD for me and i was hooked at once and refused to let him turn it off until it had ended.
This album just breaths Africa. And not a single track is bad.
It's one of those CD's that makes your backbone shiver and makes you happy when you are down.
The singer have a voice given by god and the musicians are tight as nothing else.
"Ma Ya" is one of the top-jewels in my cd-collection and I can highly recommend it to anyone that appreciates African music. And everyone else for that matter.

Five shining stars without a doubt!

I love world music the first time I heard Koite's track wassiye, I had to get the disc.One of the best cd's if you like detail music. The songs are excellent with superb arrangement using different musical toys. A must for music lovers.

This CD has global appeal! I am so highly impressed and pleased with the consistancy of quality in each track. I must say I was surprised. Seemingly, it is in fact rare to find such outstanding top quailty consistancy in music. I have let a variety of very selective, non-african music listeners ( from rock to hip-hop lovers)listen to this and Oliver Mt , and these two outstanding musicans have recieved nothing but appreciation for the sounds and craftmanship of these Cds. This is great for the african music lover and for those who are still testing the water.

What a fantastic album. Every track, every note is on. I put it in my cd player where it stayed for weeks. The only reason I took it out was so I could bring it to work and not miss a beat. Quiet one moment, it has you on your feet the next in absolute joy. Thank you Mr. Koite and Bamada!

I have been listening to African music in general, and Malian music in particular, for a number of years now. I simply love this C.D. It has been in my car's C.D. tray for months now. It's my perfect remedy to the road congestion blues. It transports you a soulful place with rhythmic and sweet music. The messages and music emanating from Mali are truly impressive. Habib Koite, like Oumou Sangare, is a great place to start in appreciating this sound.

This is the most beautiful music I've heard in a long time. The wonderful thing is that Habib's music grows on you with each listening revealing an artist both noble and humble. From his lyrics to his intricate and lovely guitar playing this is a true find.