Boubacar Traore

Kongo Magni

World Village

Boubacar Traore is an African bluesman hailing from Mali.  Traore ruminates on his long, hard life on the latest recording Kongo Magni and manages to write mood drenched Afroblues songs.  The small combo on the disc features Traore on guitar accompanied by accordion and harmonica, kamele ngoni (harp), balafon (xylophone) and traditional drums, shakers, and other percussion.  The key here is Traore’s fine playing and his somber, yet melodic voice.  There’s a dark element reminiscent of Robert Johnson in the music while Traore plays in a definitive rolling style of other African bluesman such as Ali Farka Toure.  After his stint as a football player and hitmaker in the 60s, he was known as Kar Kar during those days, Traore largely faded into domestic life.  Lucky for us, he’s back with his fantastic recording. 

By. Samir Shukla