Douga Mansa - Magnificent Melodies from a Malian Master

By Marc Bruner

Mamadou Diabate is a virtuoso kora player from Mali and his 2008 release "Douga Mansa" is a beautiful work of art. This extremely satisfying solo album preserves the venerable traditions of Mandinka culture while also infusing those traditions with new energy and creativity, creating a sound that is profound and original. But most importantly, the songs are a delight to listen to, with gorgeous, soaring melodies that soothe and invigorate at the same time. It's amazing to think that the only sounds are from Mamadou's kora, as it often seems like there's several musicians playing at once. And the spiritual potency of the music is as compelling as Mamadou's dizzying mastery of his instrument.

Mamadou's musical lineage goes back seven centuries to the time of Sunjata Keita, founder and hero of the Malian Empire. As a teenager in Bamako, Mamadou worked under the tutelage of his famous cousin and relentless innovator, Toumani Diabate, but he quickly gained his own reputation as a brilliant kora player with a unique, fiery style. He then settled in the United States after touring with a group of Malian musicians in 1996, and he continues to awaken new audiences to the magic of his music.

Mamadou says that his father told him to listen to all of the best kora players and to learn from each one. Well, now it's time for young kora players, and anyone interested in the ethereal sounds of this beautiful instrument, to listen to Mamadou.

Water Is Life, Milk Is Survival

By Marc Bruner

If you like Tinariwen (which is one of my very favorite bands these days), you'll definitely dig Akh Issudar, the stunning 2008 album from a band called Terakaft on the World Village label. "Terakaft" means "Caravan" in Tamashek (the language spoken by the Tuareg people of the Sahara desert) and "Akh Issudar" is the second part of a Tamashek proverb, "Water Is Life, Milk Is Survival."

The first part of the proverb, "Aman Iman," is the title of Tinariwen's outstanding 2007 World Village release. As suggested by their linked album titles, the two bands are closely related. One of Terakaft's founding members, Kedou, was part of Tinariwen when they performed at the first Festival of the Desert in 2001, and he also played on Tinariwen's first album, The Radio Tisdas Sessions.

As you might expect, Terakaft's music shares a lot in common with the guitar-driven bluesy desert vibes of Tinariwen. Like the music of Tinariwen, the songs on Akh Issudar are haunting, hypnotic, and beautiful - and the band's minimalist approach powerfully evokes the expanse and solitude of the Sahara. But Terakaft also adds its unique flavor to the mix, creating a distinctive and alluring sound all its own. Some of the songs seem to have a softer, more folksy feel to them, adding a melancholy to the music that balances perfectly with the driving blues-rock numbers.

As one reviewer explains, Terakaft is well-steeped in the poetry of its ancestors, but the band "also knows its way around a Fender guitar" and the music is a "marvelous by-product of globalization." As another reviewer explains, the term "desert blues" or "desert rock" no longer adequately captures the diversity of the music of the Sahara, but whatever you call it, the album is "another reminder that this corner of the world is producing some of the best and most rewarding music out there." So check out Akh Issudar, which is is easily one of my favorite new releases - in any musical genre.

Then and Now

Then:



Now:

Grupo Fantasma at The Black Cat in DC: Friday, Jan 9

By Robert Fox:

One of my favorite bands anywhere is coming to the Black Cat in Washington, DC on Friday, January 9th: the epic Grupo Fantasma. Longtime readers of The Afrofunk Forum know that we're big fans of Grupo Fantasma's devastating cumbia and salsa. Their live shows split atoms and crumble boulders with head-spinning latin funk.

The band is touring in support of their outstanding new album, Sonidos Gold. Grupo Fantasma was at the Black Cat in June with another favorite band of mine Bio Ritmo. Grupo Fantasma put on a clinic and I can promise you that this time will be no different.

Don't believe me? Then check out the rave press reviews for their recent shows, which, if anything, understate the band's impact: "one of the sickest live bands ever" (Philadelphia Weekly); "they blast off in their own funkified, genre-breaking direction" (Billboard); "this freight train of a Latin band will knock you down with the grooves" (The Village Voice); "the decade's most important artist in the Latin genre" (Allmusic Guide). Heard enough? Then get advance tickets here and don't miss the opportunity to see them in Washington, DC, or on another stop of their current tour.

Marc Powers from MN8 provides some background on the band and on the Friday show in DC:

On Friday January 9th a sonic heatwave is set to sizzle DC as Austin's
Grammy-nominated Latin funk orchestra, Grupo Fantasma, performs live at the
Black Cat. The eleven piece unit of Grupo Fantasma is best known for their
exuberant live shows and their recent association with Prince, having backed him
on numerous occasions, including his performance on the ALMA Awards in
2007.

Grupo Fantasma, who just received a Grammy Nomination for Best Latin
Alternative Album for "Sonidos Gold," is currently touring the east-coast for a
string of winter dates. Their DC show will be set off by 2 hometown acts,
namely, Batala, a 14-piece stellar band of female drummers who will be followed
by Nayas, whose Tropical Rock always heats up the crowd. And to top things off,
VIVA 900's DJ Rockactivo will keep the party going between sets with his frentic
mix of Latin jams.

Tickets are $15 and are On Sale Now at all Ticketmaster and Ritmo Latino
Outlets. Doors Open @ 9PM for this All Ages Show.