Mali is a fabled land of musical giants and this Rough Guide features the towering figures of Oumou Sangare, Ali Farka Touré and Basekou Kouyate. However the music of Mali is now under threat as never before. In the words of singer Fatoumata Diawara, ‘music has always brought hope in Mali. Music has always been strong and spiritual.’
Mali’s musicians have never shied away from mixing politics and song. Vocalist Oumou Sangare (who is also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador) has been outspoken on issues including women’s rights and polygamy since the 1990s. In 2013, when the conflict made it impossible for Mali to host its renowned Festival in the Desert, Sangare helped to take the show on the road, headlining the Caravan for Peace, performing in Tuareg refugee camps in…
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…Burkina Faso. Similarly, Khaira Arby (cousin of legendary guitarist Ali Farka Touré) has taken on issues such as female circumcision in her music. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that when war threatened to engulf Mali, its leading musicians banded together. Fatoumata Diawara gathered the nation’s leading musicians together to produce a video calling for a peaceful end to the conflict, most of whom are featured on this compilation, including Oumou Sangare, Toumani Diabate, Vieux Farka Touré, Nahawa Doumbia and Khaira Arby.
The role of these musicians cannot be underestimated, as it both galvanized the Malian public, and the international community into action, leading to military involvement by France as well as United Nations peacekeepers that quickly restored calm to most of Mali. Musically and ethnically, Mali is an incredibly diverse country. This album reflects that diversity, featuring driving Tuareg grooves rooted in a nomadic Saharan past, generations-old ‘social advice’ songs, Wassoulou music from the south, and of course there are a host of songs from Mali’s next generation of stars.
Disc1
1. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Jama Ko
2. Fatoumata Diawara – Makoun Oumou
3. Vieux Farka Toure – Yer Gando
4. Ramata Diakite – Saba
5. Terakaft – Awa Adounia
6. Khaira Arby – Goumou
7. Nahawa Doumbia – Fanadugule
8. Oumou Sangare – Iyo Djeli
9. Ibrahim Hama Dicko – Sida
10. Neba Solo – Kenedougou Foly
11. Anansy Cissé – Fati Ka
12. Ami Sacko – Dougoumassa
13. Ali Farka Touré – Warbé
Disc2
14. Samba Touré – Anbafo
15. Samba Touré – Foda Diakaina
16. Samba Touré – Kairi Kairi
17. Samba Touré – Bila
18. Samba Touré – Yawoye
19. Samba Touré – Koye Ma
20. Samba Touré – Baba Guitteye
21. Samba Touré – Goye Kurya
22. Samba Touré – Tamani
23. Samba Touré – Goye
24. Samba Touré – Soumanako
25. Samba Touré – Djandjo
26. Samba Touré – Ali Farka