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LP
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CLE 027LP
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LP version. In the early 1970s, a devastating drought brought famine to the West African Sahel. This environmental disaster destroyed the region's agricultural and livestock economy. Millions of people were affected. International relief efforts tried to send emergency aid. "Les Bateaux", the title track of this album, recalls those hard years. It paints a scene of Malian villagers standing on the banks of the Niger River anxiously awaiting the boats carrying food. Mamadou Kelly remembers those years as he calls out the name of each boat's longed for appearance over the horizon. Kelly sings about life. He praises and thanks those who do admirable things. He evokes the spirits of collective memory. Seemingly simple, upon listening, his songs reveal multi-layered complexity. He is a master of the desert blues. His group on this album includes longtime colleague Aly Magassa (electric guitar), Kande Sissoko (ngoni), and Hamadoun "Afo" Guindo (percussion). They are joined on tracks by Malian musicians Adama Sidibe (balafon(, Madou Diabate (violin), and Hama Sangho (backup vocal), as well as American friends Jacob Silver (bass), Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel guitar), and David Rothenberg (clarinets). Les Bateaux was recorded live in Bamako and New York. The tracks were mixed in New York and Los Angeles, and mastered in New York.
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CD
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CLE 027CD
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In the early 1970s, a devastating drought brought famine to the West African Sahel. This environmental disaster destroyed the region's agricultural and livestock economy. Millions of people were affected. International relief efforts tried to send emergency aid. "Les Bateaux", the title track of this album, recalls those hard years. It paints a scene of Malian villagers standing on the banks of the Niger River anxiously awaiting the boats carrying food. Mamadou Kelly remembers those years as he calls out the name of each boat's longed for appearance over the horizon. Kelly sings about life. He praises and thanks those who do admirable things. He evokes the spirits of collective memory. Seemingly simple, upon listening, his songs reveal multi-layered complexity. He is a master of the desert blues. His group on this album includes longtime colleague Aly Magassa (electric guitar), Kande Sissoko (ngoni), and Hamadoun "Afo" Guindo (percussion). They are joined on tracks by Malian musicians Adama Sidibe (balafon(, Madou Diabate (violin), and Hama Sangho (backup vocal), as well as American friends Jacob Silver (bass), Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel guitar), and David Rothenberg (clarinets). Les Bateaux was recorded live in Bamako and New York. The tracks were mixed in New York and Los Angeles, and mastered in New York. CD version contains four bonus tracks including a techno remix by David Harrow as well as Dave Cook's remix of two tracks from Kelly's recent EP, Ni Allah.
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LP
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CLE 016LP
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RSD 2017 release. Mamadou Kelly transforms desert blues with modern sophistication. Mamadou Kelly's third album, Politiki brings Kelly and his group BanKaiNa together with Grammy-winning steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar, drummer Susie Ibarra, bassist Jake Silver, and guitarist Dan Littleton, into a dynamic fusion. Backing musicians for such Malian greats as Ali Farka Toure and Afel Bocoum, Kelly and BanKaiNa push traditions into new waves of sound from the Sahara.
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CD
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CLE 016CD
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Mamadou Kelly transforms desert blues with modern sophistication. Mamadou Kelly's third album, Politiki brings Kelly and his group BanKaiNa together with Grammy-winning steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar, drummer Susie Ibarra, bassist Jake Silver, and guitarist Dan Littleton, into a dynamic fusion. Backing musicians for such Malian greats as Ali Farka Toure and Afel Bocoum, Kelly and BanKaiNa push traditions into new waves of sound from the Sahara.
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LP
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CLE 012LP
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LP version. Mamadou Kelly comes from Goundam near Timbuktu, the heart of the Niger River inner delta. Having played alongside its masters, Kelly and his group Ban Kai Na bring a new sophistication to the desert blues genre. With his 2013 album, Adibar (CLE 007CD), Kelly stepped onto the international stage to present his own repertoire as soloist and band leader. He received accolades when he toured North America, performing at major festivals and concert halls while recording this album. His band members are old friends: Alpha "Hama" Sankare, revered genius on calabash and longtime collaborator; master of the monochord djourkel Brehima "Youro" Cisse; and the young, gifted bassist Baba Traore. For Djamila, Kelly wanted to expand the sound and invited western musicians to contribute to the groove. Calling in some neighbors from Woodstock, NY, producer Chris Nolan added Pete Levin on keyboards, Duke McVinnie on electric guitars, and Jane Scarpantoni on cello. Also on hand at the sessions was Leila Gobi, prominent vocalist from Ménaka in Northern Mali, who provides chorus backup on three of the tracks. Kelly's smooth vocals and deceptively effortless guitar playing quickly charm his audiences. Steeped in rich historical background, his lyrical style combined with Ban Kai Na's virtuosic delivery makes it all sound so easy. Yet at the time of these recordings they all had just witnessed severe political unrest and social violence in Mali. It was a real presence during the sessions. You can hear it, the real source of the blues.
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CLE 012CD
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Mamadou Kelly comes from Goundam near Timbuktu, the heart of the Niger River inner delta. Having played alongside its masters, Kelly and his group Ban Kai Na bring a new sophistication to the desert blues genre. With his 2013 album, Adibar (CLE 007CD), Kelly stepped onto the international stage to present his own repertoire as soloist and band leader. He received accolades when he toured North America, performing at major festivals and concert halls while recording this album. His band members are old friends: Alpha "Hama" Sankare, revered genius on calabash and longtime collaborator; master of the monochord djourkel Brehima "Youro" Cisse; and the young, gifted bassist Baba Traore. For Djamila, Kelly wanted to expand the sound and invited western musicians to contribute to the groove. Calling in some neighbors from Woodstock, NY, producer Chris Nolan added Pete Levin on keyboards, Duke McVinnie on electric guitars, and Jane Scarpantoni on cello. Also on hand at the sessions was Leila Gobi, prominent vocalist from Ménaka in Northern Mali, who provides chorus backup on three of the tracks. Kelly's smooth vocals and deceptively effortless guitar playing quickly charm his audiences. Steeped in rich historical background, his lyrical style combined with Ban Kai Na's virtuosic delivery makes it all sound so easy. Yet at the time of these recordings they all had just witnessed severe political unrest and social violence in Mali. It was a real presence during the sessions. You can hear it, the real source of the blues.
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CLE 007CD
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From the heart of Mali's Niger Delta, blues guitar genius and singer Mamadou Kelly has played beside two of the greatest Malian musicians: Ali Farka Touré, as a member of his backing group; and Afel Bocoum, as a key member of the band, Alkibar. The supporting guitarist, he has accompanied these two greats on many tours and albums. The glue that holds the music together, Mamadou is a virtuoso. With an encyclopedic knowledge of Malian music, Mamadou Kelly represents the new sophistication of Mali. Yet, his charm belies a determined professional. Mamadou's song style is direct, deceptively simple and yet subtly layered with meaning. A rich, historical awareness supports his composition and delivery. Gently prodding his audience with stories, tales and life lessons learned, Mamadou brings a gracious hospitality to his music and the concert stage. With this album, Mamadou steps center-stage. Supported by long-time collaborators, Alpha Ousmane "Hama" Sankare, a calabash genius who can be heard on many historic recordings, and Brehima "Youro" Cisse, njarka (monochord violin) master, their music presents the best and most captivating combination of traditional and contemporary West Africa. On this disc they are joined by the young and gifted bass player Baba Traore. A smooth sophistication testifies to the high level of these artists' craft. The songs were all composed, arranged and performed by these musicians and represent the verve, style and sophistication of contemporary music from Mali. This is the first recording by Mamadou and Bankaina released under their own name.
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