The album Sababu by Aboubakar Traoré & Balima claimed the coveted number one spot of the World Music Charts Europe for the month of January 2025. Aboubakar Traoré & Balima explore West African musical traditions by combining Burkinan heritage with pan-African rhythms, jazz influences, and captivating melodies.
Traoré, a self-taught musician from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, mastered the kamele ngoni (a traditional “young man’s harp”) and the vocal styles of Manding griots. In Sababu, he reflects on the struggles of his people, honors West Africa’s historical figures, and critiques ongoing socio-political challenges in the region.
World Music Charts Europe — January 2025
- Aboubakar Traoré & Balima – Sababu – Zephyrus
- Markku Lepistö – Duos – Rapusaari Records
- L. Shankar & Abhijit Banerjee – Full Moon – X Dot 25 Music
- Nfaly Diakité – Hunter Folk Vol. 1: Tribute To Toumani Koné – Mieruba
- Juana Luna – Canciones En Blanco Y Negro – Folkalist Records
- Various Artists – Zanzibara 11, Congo In Dar: Dance No Sweat – Buda Musique
- Mari Boine – Alva – By Norse Music
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Chain Of Light – Real World
- Baba Zula – Istanbul Sokaklari – Glitterbeat
- Seckou Keita – Homeland – Chapter 1 – Hudson Records
- Lenka Lichtenberg – Feel With Blood – Sunflower Records
- Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra – Tension – Batov Records
- Various Artists – Super Disco Pirata – Analog Africa
- Momi Maiga – Kairo – Segell Microscopi
- Lucibela – Moda Antiga – Lusafrica
- Justin Adams & Mauro Durante – Sweet Release – Ponderosa
- Ruca Rebordao – Mestico Atlantico – Self Released
- Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) – Record Kicks
- Carmen Souza – Port´ingles – Galileo
- Tamar Ilana & Ventanas – Azadi – Lulaworld Records
More about the World Music Charts Europe wmce.de
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central