„They just keep getting better. The instrumental pyrotechnics never fail to amaze. They've obviously been doing some technical work on the ngonis for improved sound - Bassekou now has a volume control!. But if the music astonishes with its ever increasing tightness, the whole visual show is just joyful too - the choreography has gone up another level. At times their synchronised footwork is like one of those great 60s soul reviews, at others they remind of the Shadows or Status Quo. All this in gold robes bathed in orange and red light, as regal as you can get, and with Ami Sacko singing up a sandstorm. Just as you think it can't get any better, Bassekou breaks out the wah-wah while the tama bubbles and burbles. Disco ngoni through a Fender amp - how cool can you get?!“
Worth the 120 mile round trip from London? You bet!“
Ian Anderson / Froots
Taj Mahal describes him as a genius, a living proof that the blues comes from the region of Segu. Bassekou Kouyate is one of Malis best-known Ngoniplayers. He has collaborated with many important traditional musicians of his country as well as international such as Carlos Santana, U2 among many many others. Most recently he is featured on Ali Farkas posthumous album 'Savane' and toured with him leaving a lasting impression on the audience as the bands solo ngoni player.
Bassekou was born in a village called Garana about 60 kms from Segu, in the remote countryside on the banks of the Niger river. He was raised in a traditional musical environment, his mother a praise singer and his father and brothers exceptional ngoni players. He moved to Bamako when he was 19 years old where he met the young Toumani Diabate. By the late 1980s Bassekou was part of Toumanis trio and they recorded their first albums together, Songhai and Djelika. Bassekou married the singer Amy Sacko (so-called the Tina Turner of Mali) and they are much solicited for the traditional Sunday wedding parties that happen in the streets of Bamako.
After collaborating a lot with others both nationally and internationally Bassekou now finally has put together his own band: Ngoni ba; the big ngoni: Malis first ngoni quartett. In July he recorded his debutalbum Segu Blue for the Munich based company out l here records.
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The ngoni is one of Africas secrets still to be discouvered. It is the key instrument for Griot culture. Unlike the kora whose history goes back only a few hundered years, the ngoni has been the main instrument for accompagning griotstory way back into the days of Soundiata Keita. The repertoire Bassekou plays on Segu Blue is from the region of Segu the heart of Bambara culture, 200 km northeast of Bamako on the banks of the niger river. Unlike mandenka griot music, Bambara music is pentatonic in nature, a music as close to the Blues as you can get in Africa.
Segu Blue was produced by Lucy Duran, recorded at studio Bogolan in Bamako by Yves Wernert and mixed by Jerry Boys in London. Executive producer: Jay Rutledge.
www.outhere.de
Africa Express in Bassekou Kouyate's house in Mali
Bassekou Kouyate recording Segu Blue pt.1
Bassekou Kouyate recording Segu Blue pt.2
Ngoni Fola Videoclip
Segou to London
Bassekou on arte metropolis
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Ladon @ Royal Albert Hall
Segu Blue (Poyi) @ Royal Albert Hall
Bassekou Kouyate live at Jools Holland
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Bonjour Bassékou C'est Kiri Kanta! Ravi de te revoir sur myspace et de raviver les souvenirs! J'espère que tu vas réecouter les morceaux et merci encore pour ta participation A bientôt Kiri
Thanks so much for the add!! I also wanted to make sure you had a chance to check out my friend Nycole Valentina's page. She just added some new songs and pics, let me know what you think, Thanks!
Do me a favor, please checkout and add Nycole Valentina at www.myspace.com/nycolevalentina, or Just click on the banner below:
Grand Concours Mégaphone : 1 place à gagner pour le concert de votre choix aux 2 premiers qui donneront la bonne réponse à la question suivante :
Dans le film One + One de J.L. Godard (projeté le lundi 29 juin dans le cadre de la soirée Mégaphone 69), on peut voir les Rolling Stones enregistrer l'un de leurs morceaux mythiques : quel est son titre ?
Pour répondre, envoyez un mail à l'adresse : public@festivalmegaphone.com