Oumou Sangaré – Timbuktu (World Circuit Records, 2022)
World music star Oumou Sangaré has released one of her best albums in many years. “Timbuktu” was recorded in multiple studios in the United States, Mali and France and features a superb mix of irresistible Wasulu roots music from southern Mali, elegant blues, and tasteful rock elements.
“Timbuktu” was conceived in the United States. Indeed, Sangaré was visiting the North American country for a few weeks, but her plans changed after most of the world implemented pandemic lockdowns. She spent time in New York and later in Baltimore, a city where she quickly felt at home. “Something in that city drew me in straightaway,” said Sangaré. “I felt so good there that I bought a house!”
Living in her new home, she spent many hours writing songs with the help of an old friend, the wonderful Mamadou Sidibé, who has been Oumou Sangare’s kamele ngoni (young man’s harp) player since the very beginning.
During lockdown, Oumou Sangaré wrote 10 of the 11 songs that appear on “Timbuktu”. The album masterfully brings together traditional West African instruments like the kamele ngoni and blues guitars such as the dobro and slide guitar. Even though the guitar is a Spanish instrument, it was widely adopted by black American blues musicians.
“Since 1990, I’ve never had a chance to cut myself off from the world and devote myself exclusively to music,” Sangaré says. “I think you feel it in the music, but also in the lyrics, which are fruit of all those moments when I was able to withdraw into myself and meditate.”
Sangaré’s essential albums include Moussoulou (1989), Ko Sira (1993), Worotan (1996) and Seya (2009).
Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 13 – Hannover, DE – Staatsoper
May 15 – Paris, FR – La Cigale
June 5 – St Pierre, FR – Sakifo Festival
June 11 – Gothenburg, SE – Clandestino Festival (at Pustervik)
June 14 – Brussels, BE – Former Belgium
June 15 – London, UK – Queen Elizabeth Hall (Grace Jones’ Meltdown Festival)
June 18 – Prague, CZ – Respect Festival
June 19 – Liverpool, UK – Africa Oye
June 23 – Bergamo, IT – Festival Lo Spirito del Pianeta
June 25 – Copenhagen, DK – Copenhagen Jazz Festival
July 6 – Amsterdam, NL – Concertgebow
July 9 – Vilanova i la Geltru – Barcelona, ES – FIMPT
July 13 – Vence, FR – Southern Nights
July 15 – Arles, FR – Les Suds Festival
July 24 – Cheshire, UK – Blue Dot Festival
Sept 23 – Florence, IT – Festival Au Désert (Teatro Puccini)
Sept 24 – Naples, IT – Ethnos Festival
Nov 10 – Bordeaux, FR – Rocher du Palmer
Nov 22 – Orléans, FR – National Stage
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.