• Artist: Salif Keita
• Rating:
• Style: Afro-Pop
• Track Picks: "Bobo," "Ladji," "M'Bemba"

Review

The Grammy nominated West African artist, Salif Keita, whose voice The Washington Post once declared as "one other mortals can only aspire to" returned after many years to Bamako, Mali to record M'Bemba, a remarkable, multifaceted collection which beautifully blends native choirs (comprised of his foster sisters), rolling hypnotic guitars, happily dancing percussion, and such indigenous instruments as ngoni lute and kora. These evoke the memory of Keita's ancestor, Sundiata Keita, the warrior king who founded the Mandingo Empire in the 13th century. Over the course of an hour, Keita -- whose globally successful 35-year career has somewhat offset the hardships he's faced in his homeland being an albino and a musician -- weaves a true tapestry of all of his favorite global influences. These include rock, soul, French chanson, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, all stirred up around his deep, guttural vocals, echoing chants, the seductive, jangling guitars, and a variety of earthy grooves. On the gentler reflections, like the opening track "Bobo," and the sweet, anthemic title track (enhanced by the female chorus), there's a hauntingly beautiful sense of history mixed with struggle and, ultimately, optimism. While the album will mostly be enjoyed by fans of real-deal African music, newcomers will hopefully be inspired to begin mining Keita's rich history as both a musician and a survivor. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	iTunes	Composers	Performers	Time
Bobo		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(5:56)
Laban		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(7:26)
Calculer		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(4:16)
Dery		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(5:18)
Ladji	...	Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(5:07)
Kamoukie	...	Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(5:00)
Yambo		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(6:12)
Tu Vas Me Manquer		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(5:49)
M'Bemba		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(8:50)
Moriba		Salif Keita	Salif Keita	(6:31)

Credits

Salif Keita (Guitar (Acoustic)), Salif Keita (Producer), Prince (Tama), Prince (Calebasse), Djanka Diabate (Vocals (Background)), Ousmane Kouyate (Guitar (Acoustic)), Ousmane Kouyate (Guest Appearance), Kante Manfila (Guitar (Acoustic)), Kante Manfila (Arranger), Buju Banton (Vocals), Buju Banton (Guest Appearance), Michel Alibo (Bass), Greg Calbi (Mastering), Mino Cinelu (Percussion), Mino Cinelu (Arranger), Souleymanne Doumbia (Bells), Guy N'Sangue (Bass), Daniel Richard (Executive Producer), Toumani Diabaté (Cora), Toumani Diabaté (Guest Appearance), Freddy Zerbib (Recording Coordinator), Mama Sissoko (Guest Appearance), Mama Sissoko (N'Goni), Gilles Guerlet (Artwork), Hadja Kouyate (Vocals (Background)), David Aubaile (Flute), Jean Lamoot (Engineer), Jean Lamoot (Mixing), Jean Louis Solans (Guitar (Acoustic)), Jean Louis Solans (Oud), Jean Louis Solans (Producer), Jean Louis Solans (E-Bow), Jérôme Witz (Artwork), Laurent Bizot (Recording Coordinator), Benjamin Joubert (Assistant Engineer)