A first album in seven years by the veteran Malian singer, now 75, with a pared-back, acoustic release, but one in which his distinctive, wonderfully ‘golden’ voice still shines, accompanied by guitar, ngoni, calabash, tama and cello. There’s an intimacy to this album because the title means “in the room” in Mandinka, and the recording process came about in 2023 when he was attending the Kyotophonie Festival in Japan, and joined by his longtime friends and musicians Badié Tounkara on ngoni and Mamadou Koné on percussion, and inspired by the surroundings of a Buddhist temple and nature’s beauty, he created the album from his hotel room. So this work is inspired by the culture of two countries, and all songs have both intricate and gorgeous simplicity, from opener Aboudbakrin to the lovely examples such as Kanté Manfila to Chérie, all the way to the lovely ripples of the simbi closer Proud, Keita’s voice ringing out with power and range, still very much retaining his status as the golden voice of Africa. Out on Nø Førmat! / KYOTOPHONIE.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new songs and albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar X, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: