Sabou

Mory Kante | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Riverboat
• ASIN: B0002U9KBI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > World Music > Africa > Guinea
  • #96 in Music > World Music > Africa > Mali

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1988, a Guinée-born kora (West African harp-lute) maestro burst upon the scene with "Yeké Yeké," a crowd-pleasing electrified dance hit. But like most Manding jelis (aka griots---hereditary musician/praise-singer and/or historians), his success followed a rigorous childhood apprenticeship, after which Kanté began to perform throughout Africa before eventually migrating to Paris. These days, he is also an activist, having been appointed F.A.O. ambassador in the mission to fight hunger and poverty worldwide. Sabou constitutes a long-awaited return to Kanté's ancestral heritage, an impassioned, crisply produced acoustic set complete with breathy flutes, chime-laced percussion, and joyous call-and-response female choirs. But like his former Rail Band collaborator, Salif Keita, whose recent unplugged masterpiece, Moffou, created a sensation, Kanté is incapable of producing a stuffy, hide-bound retread. Every track crackles with modernity and invention, as refreshing and changeable as tomorrow's winds. Do not---repeat, do not---miss this one! --Christina Roden

Product Description

Sabou is an all-acoustic release by the legendary West African singer and kora player Mory Kanté, the first African artist to sell a million singles with 'Yéké Yéké', which topped the European charts in 1988. An exceptionally talented griot from Guinea in West Africa and a contemporary with Salif Keita in the Rail Band back in the 1970s, Mory Kanté has produced a stunning new album of depth and poise that is firmly grounded in his traditional griot roots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mory's roots, April 21, 2005

By 

J. TIMMERMAN (Lawson, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sabou (Audio CD)

After doing a stint with the legendary Rail Band, Guinean kora player, balafon player and band leader Mory Kante zoomed onto the international stage 16 years ago with "Akwaba Beach", a bright chunky beautifully-produced album of dance tunes played by a large tight ensemble with a rich brass chorus. It took the European dance floors, especially in Paris, by storm. The single "Yeke Yeke" was the first by an African artist to sell over a million. The similar-styled funky albums that followed also had some great moments but eventually became so specifically dance-oriented that the African essence seemed to disappear altogether, and sterility began to take an upper hand.

So the fresh energy on this album is a welcome affirmation of a great musician gone full-circle. As another x-Rail Band singer Salif Keita did on his "Moffou" album, Mory Kante has put aside the big dance band sound and recorded a totally acoustic rootsy album that is one of his best yet! The dance element is still provided by a pulsating warm beat but this vibrant music really speaks with griot roots. Every track is an invitation to join in the fun, with compelling female backing vocals, sparkling kora and balafon riffs, colourful percussion, a sweet African flute and other instruments all jiving euphoniously together to create a veritable river of sound. The accompanying booklet describes the story each song tells, along with the instrumentation used.

Be swept away by this sublime feast.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, March 29, 2005

By 

rm62 (Wichita, KS, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sabou (Audio CD)

This CD is simply joyful in sound. The artist Mory Kante became famous releasing albums with electric instruments but grew up with very traditional music. This album is somewhat of a return to his roots, using almost all acoustic instruments for a more traditional sound. Granted, you have to be expecting an acoustic sound. The vocal choruses are gorgeous, too, but again, this is a different vocal style than is common in the US, so you have to be expecting and be open to a different sound. That being said, I thing this album is awesome. The rhythmic tapestries weaved by the instruments and voices are enticing. I'm actually involved in playing hand drums, and I enjoy playing along with some of the tracks on this CD. Overall, this is a well-composed, well-recorded collection of music, well worth a try if you're open to some high quality, acoustic, African music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!!!, March 14, 2005

By 

peacemonger (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sabou (Audio CD)

I can't believe that someone could give this great album only one star. I think that is only possible if the reviewer dislikes West African music to begin with.

This album is a wonderful example of West African music rooted firmly and deeply in the traditional music of the region. Traditional instruments are used throughout and the effect is enchanting.

Amazon, you really need to offer sound samples of this CD so that people can get an idea of what this outstanding album is about.