Sekou Batourou Kouyaté et sa cora (Kouma, 1976)

Sekou Batourou Kouyaté et sa cora (Kouma, 1976)

0:00 Mamaya
2:27 Soundiata
7:37 Alla Lake
13:00 Toutou
17:12 Mari
22:14 Toutou

"Sekou Etatourou Kouyate, one the most loved, and best known kora players to originate from Mali. Known more as a korafola (he who is able to make the kora talk), Kouyate took part in the foundation of the Ensemble Insirurnental National du Mali, one of the first African nation acoustic bands, formed after the independence of Mali in 1960. In 1971 he joined the most famous korafolau from Mali, Sidiki Diabate, Jeli Madi Sissoke and N'Fa Diabate, for the recording of 'Cordes Anciennes', the first ever instrumental album of Kora.

This album, recorded in Abidjan in 1976, is considered most representative of Kouyate. His style, so typically inherent to 'jelilu' Mandenka kora playing, has been compared to Lalo Keba Drame; limpid yet sophisticated. He was deeply influenced by the 'yeyengo' style he admired so much in Alhaji Bay Konte. On subsequent albums he played with singers and musicians such as Fanta Damba; otherwise known as Grande Vedette Malienne and Mory Kante. Legend has it that Kante learnt to play kora on Batourou's instrument, and Batourou gave Kante the kora that he used on stage. The album flows as gently and naturally as a water in a stream, or a bird in a breeze, with Kouyate's melodious voice evoking the warmth and spirituality of Mali.

Mali has produced and continues to produce an enormous number of musicians with complete master of instruments, styles and traditions. Inevitably, many have moved into more modern expressions of tradition but almost without exception they have been able to creatively incorporate more traditional idioms into their modern repertoire. The Jali, (in French called Griot), is a member of the professional musicians' caste of the Manding society, a large group of peoples in West Africa. Many West African societies know this "singer" profession that may be compared with the Troubadours in European middle age. It is this rich tapestry of history and culture that is at the heart of Sekou Batourou Kouyate."

Source: CD booklet
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