Thursday 11 September 2008

Killer Opening Songs (Habib Koité - Batoumambé)



After the onslaught of Anglo-Saxon music we had last weekend (with some Spanish thrown in for good measure) as part of Radio Freekinternational, Killer Opening Songs will be focusing mainly on instrumental music, as well as performers from non-English speaking nations for the next few days.

And what better way to make this wish come true than to start with Malian guitarist Habib Koité?

Habib is one of Africa’s most popular and recognized musicians. Born in 1958 in Thiès, a Senegalese town situated on the railway line connecting Dakar to Niger, Koité comes from a noble line of Khassonké griots, traditional troubadors who provide wit, wisdom and musical entertainment at social gatherings and special events. He grew up surrounded by seventeen brothers and sisters, and developed his unique guitar style accompanying his griot mother. He inherited his passion for music from his paternal grandfather who played the kamele n’goni, a traditional four-stringed instrument associated with hunters from theWassolou region of Mali. His sound sometimes is very close to the blues or flamenco, two styles he studied under Khalilou Traoré a veteran of the legendary Afro-Cuban band Maravillas du Mali (hmm... you see? There's an expression of interest here). Habib's uniqueness lies in the fact that he brings together different styles, thus, creating a new pan-Malian approach that reflects his open-minded interest in all types of music. Koité has played at most of Europe’s major venues and festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, WOMAD, and the World Roots Festival.

The track Killer Opening Songs brings you this week appeared in his 2001 album, 'Baro', a musical crusade on behalf of traditional Malian instruments like the harp-like kora, the lute-like ngoni, the balafon and the wooden xylophone. 'Batoumambé' is a beautiful melody by an impressive performer with one of the most enthralling voices I've ever heard. Enjoy.



Copyright 2008

11 comments:

  1. I'm always guaranteed a new artist when I come to your place! Fun! :)

    Did you try the liver with sage?

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  2. Thanks for popping by, willow. I will try it later. I left it in the fridge overnight as suggested in the recipe.

    Greetings from London.

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  3. I've enjoyed learning about new (to me) music artists. Thanks for the introductions!

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  4. Cuban, dices que su música se parece al flamenco... también se baila? o alguien la baila?
    Porque he oído que, dependiendo de cómo "se baile" una interpretación o un tipo de música, así se corresponderá también la inspiración en el momento de la creación de una pieza nueva... será verdad?

    Saludos desde Berlín,
    AB

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  5. Hi, diva, and I love bringing new artists to the blog, too. Although Habib ain't no spring chicken anymore, he's been around for a few years.

    Agu, su musica si es bailable y en su disco mas reciente hay una pieza con tambores solamente que es una belleza.

    Thanks both for passing by.

    Greetings from London.

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  6. tremenda descarga!
    no lo conocíamos.
    ;0 ;) :)

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  7. Gracias por pasar, asere. Habib es un musico multifacético, combina mucha musica y siempre esta en una plena busqueda cultural para alimentar su intelecto. La voz de él tiene un timbre claro y muy armonico. Me ha impresionado muchisimo.

    Saludos desde Londres.

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  8. I can't thank you enough for having introduced Habib Koité in a previous post and then now.

    I 've never heard of him before. i do love Malian music and gosh....he's absolutely BRILLIANT.

    so gracias !!!

    (wondering: do you know Malagasy music? am originally from Madagascar and the music is there is great!)

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  9. Hi, castle, no, I am not familiar with Malagasy music, so, by all means, if you have any recommendations, send them my way. I'm drafting up my CDs wishlist for Xmas.

    Greetings from London.

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  10. Me ha encantado este artista. La instrumentalizacion me recuerda un poco a la musica de Cesaria Evora.

    Un saludo,

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  11. Si, tienes razon, lena, porque la historia del occidente de Africa esta llena de conquistas y guerras internas. Me encanta Cesaria y ya tengo una cancion escogida para subirla como parte de Killer Opening Songs.

    Gracias por pasar.

    Saludos desde Londres.

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