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In the Heart of the Moon

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Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté - Kaira, from In the Heart of the Moon (2005)

Samba Touré: Gandadiko
Release date: January 30th, 2015
Glitterbeat Records
www.glitterbeat.com

His voice is resonant, the rhythms have a relentless groove and his guitar burns with the intensity of the desert sun. But above all, there’s a confidence and gravitas that reinforces the feeling that Samba is a man whose time has come.
**** Review of “Albala”/ Songlines (UK)

Samba Toure’s previous album Albala was recorded during the fear-laden atmosphere of 2012, when northern Mali (including his ancestral village of Diré) had succumbed to sharia law and radical Islamist control and Bamako, his adopted home, still reeled in the chaos of the recent military coup.

Albala received widespread acclaim and was rightfully recognized not only as the best album of Samba’s career but also as an undeniable musical statement about the human toll of war and political crisis. Samba had spent years honing his artistry (including stints playing with Malian blues master Ali Farka Touré and Kora genius Toumani Diabate) and Albala signposted a mature artist, full of sonic imagination and narrative fire.

Gandadiko, the title of Samba’s potent, diverse and ambitious new album, translates from his native language Songhai as: “Land of Drought” or “Burning Land.” The title seems to indicate a return to the dark textures that marked Albala but in fact Gandadiko is a more complex story than that. 

Philippe Sanmiguel, a record producer living in Bamako (Anansy Cissé, Mariam Koné) and Samba’s producer for both albums, provides the details:

“One thing I’m sure of is that we didn’t want to do a second ‘Albala’. For Samba that album was maybe a little too sad and he wanted something closer to who he really is: hopeful. So the challenge was to have something as strong as ‘Albala’, but with more variety in the rhythms and moods and colors. I think the album sounds musically less dark, it’s more danceable and up-tempo, but, sorry Samba, it’s not entirely a joyful album. Tension, troubles and danger are still there in many of the songs. 

The musical moods and textures found on Gandadiko often play against the moralistic, reflective and at times anguished tenor of the lyrics. For example, Touri Idjé Bibi (Black Fruits) breezes along with a straight-ahead, infectious dance groove, punctuated by soaring backing vocals. The hopeful sound that Samba had originally sought seems to have been found. But the final lines of the song are pointed and cautionary:

Oh earth, forgiveness, oh river forgiveness,
Everyday we offend you.

The songs on Gandadiko are framed by a restless eclecticism. 

Samba’s guitar playing has never been so anxious, exploratory and rock and roll and his voice has never been as smooth and relaxed. Samba wants to be many places at once and the accomplishment of Gandadiko is that by successfully navigating these sorts of “contradictions,” Samba’s artistry has reached an even higher level. 

Glitterbeat Records:
Homepage: www.glitterbeat.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Glitterbeat
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/glitterbeattv
Twitter: twitter.com/Glitterbeat_Rec

Samba Touré
Homepage: http://www.samba-toure.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SambaToureMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samba.toure.official


Samba Touré - Touri Idjé Bibi

Toumani Diabate, kora
Stockholm, April 2013

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Toumani Diabate - Mande Variation

Step into serenity with Lotus Ritual by Dr. Elliot Lach—a gentle fusion of ambient textures and meditative tones that invites deep relaxation and sensory release. Designed for the modern wellness experience, this instrumental track blends soft piano, atmospheric pads, and slow rhythmic pulses to create a peaceful soundscape ideal for spa treatments, massage therapy, or quiet introspection. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or guiding others through a journey of calm, this track delivers harmony in every note.

Lotus Ritual

Habib Koite - Manssa Cisse

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate - Kala Djula

Habib Koité - Mali Sadio

Woma Gara  (I thank you)
Mamadou Kelly			vocal, lead guitar
Aly Magassa				guitar
Kande Sissoko			ngoni
Jacob Silver				bass
Afo Guindo				calabash, drums
David Rothenberg			clarinet and bass clarinet
All tracks written, composed and arranged by Mamadou Kelly
℗ + © 2019 Nolan + Associates Productions LLC, Germantown NY
BMI, SACEM, BUMDA, SoundExchange

Lyrics
Woma Gara
(Songhoy)
				
Barka houngou Maliwo gadjama
Akwoi di handir lalo
Barka houngou Maliwo gadjama
Akwoi di handir di foutou
Barka houngou Maliwo gadjama
Akwoi di handir lalo

Barka houngou Maliwo gadjama
Akwoi di handir lalo

Traore Vieux woma gara
Amadou Issa Bore woma gara
Yattara Soumbou woma gara
Djadje Toure woma gara
Ami Alkaya Toure woma gara
Dado Maiga woma gara
Madame Kelly woma gara

Barka houngou Maliwo gadjama
Akwoi di handir di foutou
Barka houngou Maliwo gadjama
Akwoi di handir lalo

Traore Baba woma gara
Gomni Traore woma gara
Djougal Nango woma gara

Barka houngou noro gadjama
Noro waga gadjama
Akwoi di handir lalo
Akwoi di handir foutou
Akwoi di tangari handir
Akwoi di handir lalo

French
Quand on pense que le Mali est divise
Ce qu’on pense c’est un cauchemar mauvais

On doit faire un benediction 
A cause du Mali ne deviens divise

Kelly alors nomme des gens and les benit

English
When I think of Mali divided
It is a terrible nightmare

I give a benediction to all the people I know
So that Mali does not break apart

Kelly then names several indivduals, including his wife "Madame Kelly" and thanks them for their help and support.

Les Bateaux

Amazon

Mamadou Kelly - "Woma Gara"

Alkibar Jr. La Paix feat. Afel Bocoum

Abdallah oumbadougou

Mali is full of fantastic musicians and I listen to their music every day. And it gives me so much joy. Malihokan.com and this Soundcloud account is my way of giving something back, spreading this beautiful music and finding new listeners for the not yet well known artists.

Thanks to: Ali Farka Touré for opening my ears to the music of Mali. Magnus MULTIKULTI Sjögren for guidance. MC Talka Touré for inspiration and support. All musicians for participating. Ted Krotkiewski and Robin Cochrane for improving the sound of my recordings. Manfred Schweda (thisfabtreck.com) for letting me use his stunning photography. My family Monica, Rita and Vincent.

And oh, all recordings are copyright protected and may not be used for any commercial purpose.

Toumani Diabate - Mande Variation

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