Track Listing

1. Sabali
2. Ce N'est Pas Bon
3. Magosa
4. Djama
5. Djuru
6. Je Te Kiffe
7. Masiteladi
8. Africa
9. Compagnon de la Vie
10. Unissons Nous
11. Bozos
12. I Follow You
13. Welcome to Mali
14. Batoma
15. Sebeke
16. Boula (Hidden Track)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1507 in Music
• Released on: 2008-11-17
• Number of discs: 1

CD Description
Sixth album, and second for the eclectic French label Because--following 2005's Dimanche A Bamako, by Malian world music superstars Amadou & Mariam. Triumphing over adversity (they are both blind) to achieve worldwide celebrity status, this husband and wife duo continue to expand the boundaries of African music, fusing it with blues-rock, electronica and pop. Collaborators on this release include Damon Albarn--whose love of Malian music is well known --and Somali rapper K'Naan.

Customer Reviews

A wonderful fusion of international styles
I heard opening track 'Sabali' on the radio and was captivated by its gentle electronics, spiralling synth riff and charming African-French vocals. There's nothing else quite like it on the rest of the album, in what is actually quite a diverse set. Bluesy guitars take over on 'Ce n'est pas bon', disco beats and reggae keyboards on 'Djama', with hip-hop, motown funk and dance elsewhere. It's quite a party.

Various guest contribute. Toumani Diabate lends his kora to the beautiful 'Djuru', Somalian rapper K'naan appears on 'Africa' for an "east-west coast collaboration", and Damon Albarn, who they have worked with before. Very familiar with Malian music, he is largely responsible for the aforementioned 'Sabali'. At no point do the guests overshadow the real stars here however, Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia.

'Welcome to Mali' is a wonderful fusion of international styles from two highly talented musicians, a up-beat hybrid of blues, dance, and African rhythms that adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Apparently Amadou and Mariam are due to play at Barack Obama's inauguration, which is sure to catapult them beyond the narrow interests of 'world music' and bring them the wider attention they fully deserve.

A recording of great quality
Much of "Welcome To Mali" is an open-ended joyous affair, informed by the energy of community and self-sufficiency. It you were to place it anywhere, it would be under the night sky in Mali, at a celebratory gathering of some sort - but listen more closely and you'd notice numerous other influences bouncing around.In fact, this album feels like it's tuning into everything, connecting with everything. Welcome to Maii. And welcome to the future.

VERY GOOD
Heard this group on TV and though they were very good, the album doesn't disappoint