Mama Sissoko – Live (Mieruba, 2023)
Mama Sissoko is a highly talented guitarist and composer from Mali. He has released a brand new, superb live album. Notably, Mama Sissoko’s music traverses Manding, Bambara, Sarakolé, Songhai, Bobo, Peul, Malinke and Bozo traditions, all while flirting with contemporary jazz and son cubano.
On stage, Mama Sissoko easily connects with the audience, bringing his energy, powerful vocals and dazzling, versatile and emotional guitar solos throughout the concert. Live’ brings together recordings from a concert given in Paris at La Villette in 1998 and takes us back to a high point in Mama Sissoko’s career.
In Live, we find tracks from Mama Sissoko’s second solo album Soleil de Minuit, which was released in 1999 by Buda Music. As on the album, the different guitars overlap and work together beautifully, without compromising the cohesiveness of the music, rendering music deeply steeped in Malian traditions despite being very complex. The recording quality of this concert is outstanding. You can hear every note, every subtlety, every instrument, and vocals in the many-layered compositions.
As on the album ‘Soleil de Minuit, this live recording features dynamic songs in which Mama Sissoko’s riveting vocals sings with passion. In addition, the band delivers formidable rhythm guitars; heavy bass lines; and spectacular guitar solos. Furthermore, Mama Sissoko takes a detour towards Cuba, performing irresistible, danceable salsa africana.
Musicians: Mama Sissoko on lead guitar & vocals; Dramane Diarra on percussion; Toussaint Siane on vocals; Lassana Diabate on guitar; Iblouse Kouyaté on guitar; Tom Diakite on donso ngoni; and Richard Has on bass.
Buy Live.
More about Mama Sissoko .
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.