Track Listing

1. M�Bif�
2. M�Bif� Balafon
3. Coulibaly
4. La R�alit�
5. S�n�gal Fast Food
6. Artistiya
7. La F�te Au Village
8. Camions Sauvages
9. Beaux Dimanches
10. La Paix
11. Djanfa
12. Taxi Bamako
13. Politic Amagni
14. Gnidjougouya
15. M�Bif� Blues

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1991 in Music
• Released on: 2005-06-06
• Number of discs: 1

The Observer
The fizziest afro-pop blues ever bottled.

Mojo Magazine
African rhythms, sweet soul harmonies and '60s Memphis guitar'.

The Times
...set to become a phenomenon

Customer Reviews

More than just Manu Chao
Ahmadou and Mariam have been going for years. This is about their 3rd or 4th album. While Manu Chao's contribution to this album is priceless - you really cannot underestimate the brilliance of his production - the contribution of Ahmadou and Mariam is critical to the overall sound.

This is a real meeting of great folk musicians where the sum is great than the individual parts and where all contributors make a difference. I say folk musicians because with this bunch, their traditions and cultures are inseparable from their music - a great asset in my view. Contrast this with Erykah Badu producing the Zap Mama album "Ancestry in Progress" where we were left with Erykah Badu and no Zap Mama and you realise that this brilliant album shows the way forward for cross-cultural collaboration in "world" music. Brilliant Album!!

Groovy Sunday
The blind couple from Mali had at least 2 double-page spread features about them in British newspapers in the last 10 days of May as a run-up to the UK release of the CD. Previously only having a few of their songs on compilation albums, I was eager to find out why there is so much buzz concerning Dimanche à Bamako. Produced with Manu Chao who also performs on the recording (not somebody I'd normally listen to), featuring a number of guest musicians as well as the voice of the couple's son Mamadou, I was uncertain as to how or if it would grab me but it sure has! The appeal lies in the range of the soft 'La Fête au Village' to the reggae beats in 'La Réalité' and the more electronic dance grooves of 'Coulibaly' but all firmly grounded in Mali. The lyrics give food for thought with elements of fun too. My only slight complaint is that the tracks are fairly short and I guess their live performance will give an opportunity for extended grooves. So while we're currently hearing loud 'No' votes from various other quarters, for this album there's going to be a resounding 'Yes'!

Malian Blues
As a keen world music fan I come across many fantastic albums from across the world but this is a must for 2005, Malian blues at its best, this blind couple are the business and to top it off to see them at Womad this year was brilliant, if you only buy 1 world music album this year make it this one.