Amadou & Mariam

Welcome to Mali

2009-05-11

Amadou & Mariam's Welcome to Mali is a really cool mixture of traditional African music and contemporary music trends. The album was produced by Damon Albarn, of The Gorillaz and Blur, and he also plays many of the instruments. As one would expect, that adds a lot of depth to the record, turning otherwise basic worldbeat songs into a hybrid of modern western pop mixed with African music. When many of the songs start it sounds like anything on top 40 radio, until Mariam Doumbia's distinct voice breaks in her native language. There's nothing ordinary about these tunes, like opener "Sabali" and "Djuru, which mixes hand drumming with drum machine tracks for a nice effect.

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 02/2011

    CHICKENFAT KLEZMER ORCHESTRA
    The Space Sessions

  • reviewed 10/2013

    Frikstailers
    Guacha EP + En Son De Paz

  • reviewed 08/2007

    B-SIDE PLAYERS
    Fire in the Youth

  • reviewed 12/2007

    YOUSSOU N'DOUR
    Rokka Mi Rokka (Give and Take)

  • reviewed 04/2008

    Rupa & The April Fishes
    Extraordinary Rendition

  • reviewed 09/2008

    Various Artists-Calypsoul 70: Caribbean and Calypso Crossover 1969-1979
    Calypsoul 70: Caribbean and Calypso Crossover 1969-1979

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.