Rokia Traore

Bowmboi

2004-11-23

Such brilliant harmonic and rhythmic stylings from this, Rokia Traore’s third release. Bowmboi turns Malian folk melodies and traditional instruments on its head with classical string arrangements from the likes of Kronos Quartet and modern lyricism. Traore, 30, is a daughter of a diplomat and spent her childhood moving about and as such, had difficulty forming lasting friendships. She turned to music, started her career in France, but later returned to her native Mali to polish her craft and sift some West African earth. (steLLa)

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 01/2006

    LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
    Long Walk to Freedom

  • reviewed 01/2006

    IARLA O LIONAIRD
    Invisible Fields

  • reviewed 08/2007

    TINKERS TEA
    The Mummer's Jig

  • reviewed 11/2010

    EASY STAR ALL-STARS
    DUBBER SIDE OF THE MOON

  • reviewed 07/2004

    Milagro Acustico
    Rubaiyyat of Omar Khayyam

  • reviewed 11/2015

    Symbolic Olives
    The Scene That Celebrates Itself

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.