Mali Music

Mali Music, Ko Kan Ko Sata Doumbia, Toumani Diabate, Afel Bocoum, Damon Albarn

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 6, 2002)
• Original Release Date: August 6, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B00006EXE0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,353 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #21 in	Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa
  #23 in	Music > World Music > Africa > Mali

Track Listings

1. Spoons

2. Bamako City

3. Le Relax

4. Nabintoue Diakite (Live)

5. Makelekele

6. Djembe

7. Tennesse Hotel

8. Niger

9. 4am At Toumani's

10. Institut National Des Arts

11. Kela Village

12. Griot Village

13. Le Hogon

14. Sunset Coming On

15. Ko Kan Ko Sata Doumbia On River

16. Les Ecros

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With Mali Music it's possible at last to see how Damon Albarn's foray into Africa has worked out: most members of what Albarn's friend Michael Nyman has dubbed the "world-music police" would probably be happy to give it a qualified thumbs-up. If some of the "Western" tracks are little more than an undifferentiated blur (no pun intended), the Malian ones are a delight. But it's what lies between that's interesting: what Albarn and his colleagues Afel Bocoum , Toumani Diabate, and Ko Kan Ko Sata Doumbia have achieved is best described as "the music of place." In "Kela Village" you can almost see the celebrations going on amid the chirruping of birds and the croaking of frogs; "Bamako City" comes with bags of local atmosphere. This CD was constructed in layers--after Albarn had edited down his 40 hours of raw material, he created collages with new melodies and beats and then sent his tapes back to Mali, where extra vocals and instrumental work were added. We thus get music that actually feels layered: a typical track will start with a simple groove on kora or ngoni, then it will acquire a voice, then some electronic effects, and will finally be enveloped in a seductive miasma of local atmosphere. Apart from some nifty Malian balafon and string work, there's nothing here of instrumental note (Albarn's instrument is a battered melodica), but that doesn't matter, because in this game the final effect is the thing. Disregard Albarn's pretentious guff about this representing the "Africanization of Western music" (where does the boy imagine jazz came from?) but do regard this CD as a healthy omen. --Michael Church

Product Description

World music side project for the Blur/Gorillaz frontman, released on his own label Honest John. Featuring Albarn sitting in with some of his most favorite Malian musicians, including guitarist Afel Bocoum & kora player Toumani Diabate. Resulting in one of the coolest & laid-back world/crossover projects to emerge, with Albarn's melodica adding to the chilled, dubby flavor of the record, all the while retaining a distinct African overtone. Standard jewel case size digibook. 2002. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Expect The Damon Albarn Show, November 1, 2002

By	mattyp4 (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I went into this CD expecting a westernized take on Mali music... Don't do that. It's not bad, but it's not all Damon, all the time. With that said, it's probably clear that I'm a white boy Blur fan who was pleased with Gorillaz & hungry for more Damon Albarn-related side projects. So the "bad" news (if you even want to call it "bad") is that it's not as Blur-like or westernized as I thought. But on the other hand, it's very faithful to the Mali culture. True, I'm no expert on that, but let's just say I know western music very well & this certainly isn't western!

People have called this album Damon Albarn's Graceland, but I would disagree. Whereas Paul Simon dominated Graceland, Damon Albarn kind of plays second fiddle to the native musicians & songwriters. It's really their album- which is why I consider it "true" Mali music. It's a very unselfish act of Damon's (not to mention the fact that proceeds of the album's sales benefit UNICEF). I think this album's clear intention is to turn the western world onto some pretty amazing African music.

But hell yeah, there are some westernized tracks- you can tell which ones just by looking at the names on the track listing ("Spoons," "Tennessee Hotel," etc)- & they are excellent. I enjoy the other songs, but I'd be lying if I said I bought the album b/c of them. With that said, the best song on the album has to be "Sunset Coming On." Yes, it is a song sung by Damon, & it sounds like it'd belong on Blur's 13 or Think Tank.... & it'd stand out on that album too, just as it does here. It's a beautiful, tender song. I can't think of a song that captures the essence of its title so well. It really feels like a sunset, as silly as that sounds. Give it a listen.

I'd recommend this album to anyone. If you're a Blur/Damon Albarn fan then you'll instantly like a lot of it. But it's the rest (& majority) of the album that will make you appreciate Mali music a little more. Enjoy the songs & broaden your horizons.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars back to music's beautiful roots, August 8, 2002

By	"blurskank" (new jersey) - See all my reviews

damon albarn's latest exploration of world music has taken the forn of 'mali music', an enjoyably subtle mix of native traditions and modern formats, blended with a strong ear for style. infused with a warm,languorous funk and rich, varied instrumentation, the majority of the tracks evoke startlingly vivd emotions. on 'sunset coming on' in particular, the sense of hope and struggle grows out of a goldenly melancholic intro, creating a voyage of sorts. perfectly fitting with the african influence as well as albarn's traditional rock background, it simply shines. the entire album is very mature, touching many points of intensity and inspiration. definitely not something for people who only know albarn from blur's 'song two' (woo-hoo), but for those willing to take a chance and explore his beautiful interpretation of malian sources....and for those in search of the perfect dinner party music.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mali Music takes you somewhere else, August 7, 2002

By	Scott E Eck (Naperville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This CD is acessible enough to "Western" audiences without being a watered down assimilation of the Malian artists' music into Western tonality. I had a genuinely good time listening to this for the first time, and it gets better with each listen. Very refreshing. Fans of Albarn's work (esp. Gorillaz and Blur's "13") will love this CD. Even if you aren't into his work and just want something unique to listen to, give this CD a listen.