Welcome To Mali (Nonesuch, 209)
Malian duo Amadou and Mariam benefit from great publicity and acceptance in some world music circles. The blind duo also attracts world music and pop fans alike. Part of their success is the combination of the traditional Malian blues style with pop forms, primarily French pop.
The duo’s latest recording is Welcome To Mali, which was three years in the making. The album features several producers, including Marc-Antoine Moreau, Laurent Jais and Damon Albarn. Like other successful world music acts, the producers try to widen the musicians’ appeal by adding hip hop, reggae, funk and other musical forms.
Mariam Doumbia and Amadou Bagayoko are joined by rappers K’Naan and Keziah Jones, kora master and fellow Malian Toumani Diabate, Ivorian reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly and French rock musician Mathieu Chedid. The various tracks of Welcome To Mali were recorded in Bamako, Dakar, Paris and London.
Welcome To Mali will please Amadou and Mariam’s fans with its all star cast and amalgamation of Malian and pop influences.
Buy the CD:
- In North America: Welcome To Mali
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
