|
|
 |
CD Review
|
| Click Here to go back. |
Muzikfan, CD Review >>
When Issa Bagayogo burst on the scene in 1999 it was a fresh start for techno music. Instead of Paris synthesizers and relentless soukous drum programming, we had an intelligent approach to sound. The traditional instruments, like kamélé ngoni and flute were foregrounded. The studio atmospherics came in subtly in layers and were very much behind the singer instead of dominating the sound. This is due to Yves Wernert in Bamako who returns to produce a third album by Issa. Wernert plays bass and keyboards and does the programming but keeps it gentle and tasteful. Primarly, there's a metal scraper, rather than a TR-707 drum box set to 188 bpm. Another key to the sound is the floating female chorus in the background. At first you might think Issa hasn't progressed beyond his previous two albums, but once he gets in the swing, you are on cloud nine with those heavenly voices & wispy synth strings. The great Mama Sissoko gets room to swing on his electric guitar without turning it into a rock outing. Olivier Kaba takes over keyboards and programming on two cuts and this makes an interesting contrast to Wernert's efforts: his electric piano on "Djigui" is excellent. He is also backed by Adama Traore (another Mali K7 artist, ex-Balazan de Ségou) on Yalomba (I think this is an 8-stringed gourd resonator instrument). Tassoumakan is a solid continuation of Issa's first two albums and doesn't push towards a global sound (that screwed up Rokia Traore's last outing). Carefully crafted over the last year, the album shows strength and maturity and, above all, that Issa has retained his magic. This goes to the top of the playlist for the summer. 09/01/04
|
| Click Here to go back. |
|
 |
|
|
|
