Jama Ko
Kouyate Bassekou / Ba Ngoni
Jama Ko
Kouyate Bassekou / Ba Ngoni
Mali’s ngoni ace returns. After his celebrated debut album Segu Blue and the Grammy nominated follow up I speak fula, hundreds of concerts all over the globe, performing as headliner in the AfroCubism project Bassekou Kouyate is back with his new album. Just a few months ago, he appeared on stage together with Sir Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones, Damon Albarn and many others at the latest Africa Express events.
Jama ko is the title of his new offering. It means ‘big gathering of people’. Any important event in Mali be it birth, marriage or death has been accompagnied by the music of the griots and Bassekou and his family are at the heart of this tradition. Jama ko is a call for unity, peace and tolerance in a time of crisis. “Jama ko, c’est pour tout le monde ,says Bassekou Kouyate, griot and celebrated ngoni player, explaining the title of his third album, “There are over 90% Muslims in Mali, but our form of Islam here has nothing to do with a radical form of Sharia: that is not our culture. We have been singing praise songs for the Prophet for hundreds of years. If the Islamists stop people music making they will rip the heart out of Mali.” No matter who you are, let us come together and enjoy life, and celebrate the true spirit of Mali.
Track Listing:
- Jama Ko
- Sinaly Feat. Kasse Mady Diabate
- Dankou Feat. Zoumana Tereta
- Ne Me Fatigue Pas
- Kele Magni Feat. Khaira Arby
- Madou
- Kensogni Feat. Zoumana Tereta
- Mali Koori Feat. Zoumana Tereta
- Wagadou
- Djadje
- Segu Jajiri
- Poye 2 Feat. Taj Mahal
- Moustafa
Review
Paul Barr
Mali’s Bassekou Kouyate is a virtuoso on the Ngoni (an African string instrument similar to the lute). Jama Ko was recorded in Kouyate’s house, not far from where last year’s coup occurred in the capital, Bamako.
Produced by Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor), the album is a mix of both traditional and original tunes. Kouyate plugs in his wah wah pedal on a couple of tracks and lets rip with a 60s-esque, acid rock soloing feel. There are plenty of guest singers and players, including old friend Taj Mahal, on what is a beautiful West African acoustic album.
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