Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band – Sonbonbela (Sublime Frequencies, 2022)
Sonbonbela is the third album by the formidable Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band, one of the finest acts in West Africa.
The Mandingo Band, from Burkina Faso, deliver a high energy form of music deeply grounded in West African Manding traditions as well as Afrobeat. Markedly, Sonbonbela features an irresistible, transfixing rhythm section; dazzling guitar work by Issouf Diabate, one of the best guitarist in Africa; as well as skillful and captivating balafon and doso ngoni, all topped by the charismatic and gritty vocals of Baba Commandant.
The lineup includes Issouf Diabate on guitar; Wendeyida Ouedraogo on bass; Abbas Kabore on drums and backing vocals; Nickie Dembele on percussion and balafon; and Mamadou Sanou on the doso ngoni and vocals.
Sonbonbela is dedicated to the memory of Massibo Taragna, the superb bass player who was an essential part of the Mandingo Band. He passed away in early 2022.
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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.