Salif Keita – So Kono (Nø Førmat, 2025)
According to the producers of this album, Salif Keita’s life in Mali is anything but private. As a national icon, he constantly responds to requests from friends and neighbors, his days dictated by obligations. However, at night, he finds welcome solitude. Indeed, in the courtyard of his self-built Moffou studio, he plays guitar under the moon, composing in isolation. These quiet sessions have always been personal, never intended for an audience.
Keita’s songwriting process is based in repetition. Alone with his guitar, he explores simple riffs or chords until a melody emerges. He refines each phrase over hours, shaping lyrics to match the rhythm. Though he typically performs with full ensembles, his compositions begin in solitude. Despite encouragement, he resisted recording a solo guitar album, dismissing the idea as too stark. “I’m not a guitarist; I use the guitar to compose,” he often argued.
Yet, over time, Keita introduced solo guitar moments into his performances. The instrument remains deeply personal, a link to his past. As an albino of noble Mandinka lineage, his choice to pursue music defied societal norms. Sadly, he was rejected by his father. As a consequence, Salif survived on the streets of Bamako, earning a living through song. The guitar recalls those formative years, a reminder of both struggle and growth.
In 2023, an invitation to the Kyotophonie festival in Japan changed his perspective. Photographer Lucille Reyboz, who had documented Keita’s Moffou album in 2002, invited him to perform alongside artists from the Nø Førmat! label. Performing in a Zen temple, Keita experienced an atmosphere of spiritual tranquility, a stark contrast to Bamako’s daily demands.
For the first time, he agreed to record in an intimate acoustic setting, accompanied only by Badié Tounkara on ngoni and Mamadou Koné on percussion. The session took place in his hotel room, ensuring a relaxed and private atmosphere. The result is So Kono, an elegant, welcoming and deeply emotive album whose title means “In the House” and, more intimately, “In the Room.” It marks a rare departure in Keita’s discography; an artist unplugged, alone with his timeless guitar, capturing the raw essence of his music.
Buy So Kono.
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.