Kanazoe, Clotilde Rullaud, Abdoulaye Traoré, Boubacar Djiga, Achille Nacoulma – Kananayé (TZIG’ART, 2024) In Burkina Faso, the phrase “ka nana ye” translates to “it’s not…
Kananayé Celebrates Burkinan Music and Resilience
Tag: Burkinabe music
Aboubakar Traoré & Balima Ascend to the Top of World Music Charts Europe for January 2025
The album Sababu by Aboubakar Traoré & Balima claimed the coveted number one spot of the World Music Charts Europe for the month of January…
Amir Saion, Hassan Mahdi, and Adama Barry Amalgamate Melodies and Cadences from Iraq and Burkina Faso
Barry – Mahdi – Saion – Naheddi (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2005) In 2005, the musical group consisting of Amir Saion, Hassan Mahdi, and Adama Barry came…
Balafon, the ancient xylophone of West Africa
The balafon is a type of struck idiophone, specifically a gourd-resonated xylophone. It is closely associated with the Gur, Mandé, and Senufo peoples of West…
Artist Profiles: Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band
Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band was a contemporary world music group from Burkina Faso. Coming from the city of Bobo-Diulasso, the group was rooted…
Sensational Sonbonbela by Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band
Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band – Sonbonbela (Sublime Frequencies, 2022) Sonbonbela is the third album by the formidable Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band,…
Artist Profiles: Mamadou Diabaté (balafon)
Percussionist and composer Mamadou Diabaté was born in Wagadugu, Burkina Faso in 1973. He began his musical training at the age of five with his…
Burkina Hakili, a Joyful Celebration of the Musical Diversity of Burkina Faso
Kady Diarra – Burkina Hakili (Lamastrock, 2021) Burkina Hakili is the third album from excellent singer-songwriter Kady Diarra. The album was recorded in a garden…
Kamele n’goni Virtuoso Massa Dembele Releases Alumaye
Alumaye (meaning “have you heard?), is the second international album release from kamele n’goni maestro and singer-songwriter Massa Dembele (Burkina Faso). Alumaye combines modern afropop…
The Seductive Burkinabe Beats of Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band
Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band – Siri Ba Kele (Sublime Frequencies, 2018) Siri Ba Kele is the second album by Baba Commandant and The…