New Music From Boubacar Traore on Calabash Music

Kongo Magni

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 -0500

This album, recorded in Bamako and Paris, is a new stage in the musical journey of this blues man from Mali. To produce it, Boubacar Traoré, who wanted to widen his musical horizons, gathered around himself talented musicians, friends and partners he met for concerts, on tours: the young Kandiamoudou "Pedro" Kouyaté at the calabash, the great balafon player Kélétigui Diabaté, Yoro Diallo at the ngoni kamele, Vincent Bucher at the harmonica, Régis Gizavo at the accordion and Emile Biayenda on the drums.
Released in March 2005 on Marabi.

Kongo Magni

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 -0500

If his compatriot Ali Farka Touré evokes the sun-struck Delta ambiance of John Lee Hooker, Boubacar Traoré’s brand of “African blues” has more in common with Robert Johnson’s fatalistic, dark-side-of-moon sorcery. Like a lone troubadour at the crossroads, his storytelling is veiled in a more complex, occult shade of indigo. His keening voice is at once primal, poignant and sensual, steeped in tragedy but starved for life, and he wields his exquisite, kora-inflected guitar like a talisman against the bitterness of fate. But on Kongo Magni, Boubacar’s realistic, if pessimistic, view of life and its problems is finally granted a fragile silver lining. Although humanity is stalked by war and famine and daily living is marred by petty jealousies, God is nonetheless in his heaven and beautiful new babies are being born to take up the struggle. Accompanied by an empathetic small combo in which accordion and harmonica swirl around earthily resonant kamele ngoni (young person’s harp), balafon (xylophone) and traditional drums, shakers and other percussion, Boubacar is revealed as philosophical, lyrical, resigned, guardedly hopeful and gloriously human.

Mariama

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 -0500

Boubacar Traore's mellow, guitar-led debut album which features songs about his home, family and heritage. 'Mariama' is an album of Malian blues that cannot fail to engage your ears and emotions right from the first note.

Kar Kar

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 -0500

KarKar is upbeat; his jazzy, bluesy guitar work is wonderful. The mix of western and Malian music is evident. About his name, Kar Kar says: "a nickname I got from playing soccer when I was young. People would yell ‘Kari, Kari' - dribble, dribble - the name stuck with me."

Macire

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 -0500

The 6th album from Boubacar Traoré, the Bluesman of Mali

Sa Golo

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 -0500

The 5th album from Boubacar Traoré, the Bluesman of Mali .