Faratuben – Changement (Gülbaba Records, 2023)
Faratuben’s Changement is a captivating album crafted by a talented ensemble of virtuoso musicians from Mali and Denmark. The very name of the band, Faratuben, fuses the meanings of “Farafi” (Black) and “Tubabu” (White). Notably, the band’s sound encapsulates the essence of Bobo culture.
Changement serves as a tribute to the vibrant Bobo music tradition, a hidden gem within Mali’s music scene, which first found its voice in the lively venues of Bamako during the early 2000s. Faratuben, with their innovative artistry, has reimagined and refined this genre, infusing it with their distinctive musical alchemy.
The music of Changement seamlessly combines the traditional rhythms of Bobo villages, featuring the transfixing balafon and other indigenous percussive instruments, with the contemporary allure of intricate electric guitar as well as synths and dynamic club beats. The result is an extraordinary album that bridges the past and the present, resonating with the spirit of the 21st century while paying homage to the enduring heritage of Mali’s Bobo culture.
Musicians: Sory Dao on lead vocals; Dieudonne Koita on guitar, bass, backing vocals; Mikas Bøgh Olesen on synthesizer, guitar; Jens Peter Møller on bass; Ernest Koita on lead guitar; Jakob De Place on drums, percussion; Kassim Koita on balafon, percussion, backing vocals; and Jean Diarra on percussion, backing vocals.
Buy Changement .
Author: Claudia Taylor
