Afropop Worldwide

Classic Streams
on Afropop Worldwide

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Mali

In a region rich in musical heritage, the West African nation of Mali has emerged as one of the continent's musical powerhouses. Afropop has journeyed there several times, and in this stream we present you with a wide sampling of the sounds we've enjoyed so much.

Mali Magic 2000

Bonnie Raitt is our special guest commentator, giving her vivid and insightful first hand impressions of the rich musical life of Bamako from her visit to Mali with the producers of Afropop. Live recordings of Djelimady Tounkara and the Rail Band, Lobi Traore, Ali Farka Toure, Habib Koite and several up and coming artists. Plus a journey to Dogon country and then to Timbuktou for a desert jam with Haira Arby and her band.

Host: Georges Collinet
Co-producers: Sean Barlow and Banning Eyre
Engineer: Michael Jones

Program Log:
Opening montage of live performances by Youlou Mabiala, Ramata Diakite, and Super Lolo Band. Bonnie Raitt gives her overall impression of music culture in Mali. Super Lolo song in takamba rhythm from northern Mali, from their unreleased CD.
Visit with Ali Farka Toure at his second home in Bamako. Ali plays njarka for us. Bonnie Raitt recalls her enthrallment with Ali Farka Toure's music from the moment she first witnessed him live 15 years ago, and talks about the Delta blues artists that most move her, and then introduces Lobi Traore's live show in Bamako.
Bonnie Raitt describes guitar ace Djelimady Tounkara's style performing with the Rail Band in Bamako.
Ma Kouyate, rising griotte star, from local cassette.
Story of historic street protest by Mali's leading musicians against cassette pirates. Oumou Sangare from her local cassette.
Souleymane Sidibe collaborating with singer and multi-instrumentalist Markus James. Afropop's Mali Magic 2000 heads north to Dogon country to experience the famous masked dances. Habib Koite and Harouna Samake serenade Afropoppers around the campfire.
Desert Jam in Timbuktou featuring singer Haira Arby and her band.
Issa Bagayogo. Nahawa Doumbia from her CD "Yaala"
Bonnie Raitt describes the musical energy of Habib Koite and Bamada. Also comments on improvisation based on tradition and the intergenerational acceptance among Mali's musicians.
Bonnie Raitt describes the musical energy of Habib Koite and Bamada. Also comments on improvisation based on tradition and the intergenerational acceptance among Mali's musicians.

Journey Up the Niger River

The Niger River is the source of life and much musical inspiration for the ancient cultures it traverses in this part of West Africa. We visit the towns of Bamako, Segou, Mopti, and Gao and talk with internationally renowned artists such as Ali Farka Toure and Oumou Sangare plus several other locally famous musicians.

Program Credits:
Host: Georges Collinet
Lead Producer: Banning Eyre
Co-Producer: Sean Barlow
Editor: Marika Partridge
Engineer: Rick Bradley
Series Producer: Sean Barlow

Program Log:

Georges introduces theme of program.
Oumou Sangare sings a capela. Background on Oumou. Oumou talks about her focus on women's issues in her songs.
Moving from Bamako along the Niger to the town of Segou. Story of Super Biton de Segou.
We continue north to Mopti, the bustling town at the confluence of the Niger and the Banni Rivers. Story of the nearby Dogon people. Interview with Joe Traore from the group Les Kenaga de Mopti.
Visit with Ali Farka Toure. He tells story of song "Hawa Dolo."
Song especially composed for Afropop by a group from Sah, recorded live.

Bamako Beat

A 1996 overview of Mali's capital of Bamako, the country's musical and cultural epicenter.

Host: Georges Collinet
Lead producer and field work: Banning Eyre
Co-producer: Sean Barlow
Engineer: Michael Jones

Program Log:
An introduction to the music of Salif Keita.
Babani Sissoko is an enormously popular and beloved millionaire who has just returned to Mali after an 8-year absence. He gives extravagant gifts to musicians whose music he admires. We hear a song by Sali Sidibe praising Babani. After that, an Oumou Sangaré song about motherhood.
A live recording by Lobi Traore, as well as a quote from the artist and a song from his new album, then a song by Northern Mali artist Ibrahim Hamma Dicko.
Introduction to the unique music of Habib Koité, who combines his myriad influences into a "Pan-Malian" style; examples of his singular approach to music. Also, music from Ami Koita, a Mali native now living in Hamburg, Germany.
After decades of sponsorship from the National Railroad Company, the Super Rail Band of Bamako has just released its first album as a privately run band. Selections from the Super Rail Band and Abdoulaye Diabate.
A few of the images of Bamako.

A Visit To Mali

On our 1992 visit to Mali, we uncovered lots of music that Afropop fans have enjoyed ever since. Here's a look back at at that visit.

Program Log:
Georges kicks off the session of Afropop Worldwide with a little introduction on Mali's current history. History including democracy & upsurge in Mali music played on their radio stations. Music from the Super Rail Band of Bamako.
Music by the singer Kabay Sidibe from Western Mali.
Brief excerpts from the queen of the griot singers, Ami Koita.
Here's more Mali music from the Griot singer Ami Koita, explaining her joy to be a Griot.
Music by the western Mali performer, Haja Soumano.
Georges talks about the Hunters' festival and about their activities and customs. Examples of Wassoulou pop music.
Music about a man searching for gold in Liberia by Jenny Bichecdida.
Malian Wassoulou singer Nahawa Doumbia and her music.
Habib Koite talks about the creation of his new song based on his anti-smoking views.
An inspirational song by Toumani Diabate.
Another song recorded by Toumani, kora-playing Malian griot. Here Toumani plays with Mali and Japanese artists, a group he called The Symmetric Orchestra.