Gaoussou ‘Sobra’ Kouyate – Sobra Dance (One World Records, 2026)
Malian guitarist Gaoussou “Sobra” Kouyate takes the lead on Sobra Blues, an eight-track album produced by Kouyate and One World Records’ Carolina Vallejo. The record features groove-heavy Malian electric and acoustic blues rooted in Mande musical tradition with spectacular guitar chops that place him at the top of the guitar masters in West Africa. Kouyate points to connections between jali (griot) music and related blues, rock, and Latin traditions, with virtuosic guitar, rhythm, and call and response vocals at the core of the album’s sound.
Born on June 30, 1984, in Bamako-Sébénikoro, Kouyate comes from a jali family from Sobra-Sandaman in Mali’s Kati district. The album follows two notable 2025 releases that featured Kouyate, Guitari Baro, released by Chrysalis Records; and Hawa & Kasse Mady Diabate.
Musicians: Gaoussou ‘Sobra’ Kouyaté on guitar, vocals, shaker, karinyan; Mariam Kouyate on backing vocals; Abilaye Diabate on balafon; N’to Thomas B. Sissoko on keyboards, flute; David Dembele on bass; and Jean Diarra drums.
Buy Sobra Blue.
Author: Tyler Bennet
