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CD Review
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Muruch, CD Review >>
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Habib Koité: Afriki
Afriki is the latest effort from Malian guitarist Habib Koité and his band Bamada. The disc was released in September on Cumbancha Records. Koité is apparently known for his unique playing style. He tunes his instrument "to the pentatonic scale and plays on open strings as one would on a kamale n'goni" (I'm quoting his press release there, as I'm unfamiliar with the technique). Koité's music blends traditional rhythms and melodies from Mali with his own modern style. The result is a very pretty acoustic sound lightly accented with traditional instruments such as polyphonic hunter's horns, balafón (wooden xylophone), and n'goni (a Malian lute).
Habib's warm voice and captivating concoction of soft acoustics with exotic horns, strings, and percussion are best heard in "Namania", "Africa", "Fimani", and "Barra".
"Namania" is a parable of lost love that also addresses the loss of nature and culture in the face of modernization. The brass accented "Africa" calls upon Africans to take responsibility for their own future instead of depending on the outside world. "Fimani" is a harmonica laced love song, this time from the female's point of view. And "Barra" - which encourages Mali's farmers, fishermen, and tradesmen to work - throws an unusually bluesy violin into the worldly instrumentation.
The spellbinding stand out track "N'Teri" goes a step further by layering the haunting sound of antelope horns and lute with a chanting chorus of male voices.
"N'tesse" addresses the family as the foundation of Malian society, and "Massaké" tackles the effects of spoiling children. The lovely finale "Titati" is a solo instrumental guitar piece based on the Mandinka proverb: "Try To Know Those Who Love You".
By: Muruch 11/13/07 >> go there
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