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RECORDS: KASSIKOUN DJIRIYO BENDE MANKAN SAMORY
1952 -
MALI
Language: | Bambara |
| Genre: | Modern manding |
| Instrument: | Male vocals |
Articles: Article/Music samples Music in Mali (Danish)
On the Internet The album 'Bende' Discographie/Videos
Another artist from Mali: Abdoulaye Diabate is a member of the Bambara ethnic group - the second most important culture in Mali, after the Mandinka. The Bambara people came into their own in the kingdom of Mali after the Mandinka king, Soundjata, lost much power and relevance. Bambara culture had its headquarters in the town of Segou.
The music is based on a five tone scale, and employed mainly the characteristic tama, “talking drum”. Bambara culture has influenced Wassoulou music and the same elements of Oumou Sangare’s music can be heard from Abdoulaye Diabate. He began by singing and playing at traditional festivals and ceremonies in his village, and went on to participate in local theatre groups, where music played an important role. In 1974 he performed with his first band, Koutala. Later he became one of the foreground figures in the group Kene Star that won first prize in the Semaines Nationales music festival in 1986 and 1988.
Abdoulaye Diabate has developed traditional music, giving it a more funky edge than Oumou Sangare and with bigger arrangements, utilising both brass instruments and synthesizers in addition to traditional hardware.
Relevant artists: Oumou Sangare Rokia Traoré Ramata Diakité Salif keita
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Last Modified:
22 nov 2009
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DJIRIYO 
Sterns Africa/1994
This is a compendium album with recordings from three sessions - two in Paris and one in Abidjan, and provides a great cross section of Diabate’s music. Here are more traditionally arranged songs together with large modern arrangements. Underneath lies the staccato Wassoulou rhythm that fits well with this material. The female backing choir sings beautifully, and I feel that Diabate often more than outdoes his fellow countryman, Salif Keita. He strikes a balance between tradition and modernity in an excellent fashion.
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KJØP PLATE Editor: Bjørn-Erik Hanssen
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