An Investment in Culture: Mali's Privately Funded Vinyls
Flip through the records produced by enterprising individuals after government funding was pulled from Mali's musical tradition
The level of government support to musicians began to diminish in the late 70s and early 80s but the void was filled by enterprising producers and musicians with links to capital and talent from Abidjan to Lagos.
Ali Touré Farka Ali Touré Farka (1976) by Ali Farka TouréTimbuktu Renaissance
The guitarist Ali Farka Touré drew on his Songhaï and Tuareg roots to create his Mandingue blues with Sahelian sounds.
Ali Toure "Farka" Ali Toure "Farka" (1976) by Ali Farka TouréTimbuktu Renaissance
The Bi-annual of Mali Special The Bi-annual of Mali Special (1976) by Ali Farka TouréTimbuktu Renaissance
Ledy Youla et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux Ledy Youla et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux (1982) by Maitre Ledy Youla et Les Ambassadeurs InternationauxTimbuktu Renaissance
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako, Vol. 1 Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako, Vol. 1 (1977) by Les Ambassadeurs du MotelTimbuktu Renaissance
Les Ambassadeurs du Motel Les Ambassadeurs du Motel (1976) by Les Ambassadeurs du MotelTimbuktu Renaissance
Salif Keïta et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux Salif Keïta et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux (1981) by Salif Keïta et Les Ambassadeurs InternationauxTimbuktu Renaissance
In 1978, Salif Keita, Kanté Manfila and other members of the group left for Abidjan and created the International Ambassadors.
Mana Mani/Primpin Mana Mani/Primpin (1981) by Les Ambassadeurs InternationauxTimbuktu Renaissance
The track Mandjou was produced, and between 1980 and 1982, the band produced a succession of tracks: Seydou Bathily, Bithiéloulé, Tounkan, Mani Mani, Djougouya.
Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux (1981) by Les Ambassadeurs InternationauxTimbuktu Renaissance
In 1982 Salif left the group which would continue with Manfila Kanté, Sadio Kouyaté, Sory Bamba, Youssouf Kanté, Djèkoria Diabaté, Sandaly Kanté, Nhawa Kanté, Oumou Kouyaté, Ousmane Kouyaté, Youssouf Kanté, Mamadi Diabaté.
The Ambassadors of the Bamako Motel Vol. 2 The Ambassadors of the Bamako Motel Vol. 2Timbuktu Renaissance
Ambassadeur International Ambassadeur International (1981) by Ambassadeur InternationalTimbuktu Renaissance
Wassolon-Fôli - Mandjougoulon Wassolon-Fôli - Mandjougoulon (1982) by Les Ambassadeurs InternationauxTimbuktu Renaissance
Les Merveilles du Mali Les Merveilles du Mali (1968) by Maravillas de MaliTimbuktu Renaissance
Formed in Havana, Cuba in 1965 by young Malian music students, under the impetus of Boncana Maiga (musical direction and arrangements), the orchestra Las Maravillas de Mali (The Wonders of Mali) offered Cuban music (guaguanco, charanga, pachanga, cha cha, montuno, sones, danzon) with Mandingo accents.
Andurina Andurina (1980) by Boncana MaïgaTimbuktu Renaissance
From then on, the orchestra toured the island, playing in Victoria de Las Tunas, Camaguey, Las Villas... and recorded in 1967, with a few students from Cubanacan (La Cité des Arts de La Havana), its first eponymous album, Las Maravillas de Mali (The Wonders of Mali) including the famous hit "Chez Fatimata", a cha cha montuno played in all African discos.
Mariétou/Gabéro Mariétou/Gabéro (1984) by Boncana MaïgaTimbuktu Renaissance
This opus was re-released in 2000 by the Maestro Sound label of the musical director Boncana Maiga.
Haciendo Maravillas Haciendo Maravillas (1977) by Boncana MaïgaTimbuktu Renaissance
Salsa Y Alegria Salsa Y Alegria (1977) by Boncana MaïgaTimbuktu Renaissance
Salsa in New York Salsa in New York by Boncana MaïgaTimbuktu Renaissance
Panache Panache by Boncana MaïgaTimbuktu Renaissance
Seigneur Djali Madi Tounkara et le Rail Band du Mali (Vol. 2) Seigneur Djali Madi Tounkara et le Rail Band du Mali (Vol. 2) by Djélimadi Tounkara and Le Rail Band du MaliTimbuktu Renaissance
Dans l'Authencité (Vol. 2) Dans l'Authencité (Vol. 2) (1979) by Kanté Manfila and Salif KeïtaTimbuktu Renaissance
Dans l'Authencité (Vol. 1) Dans l'Authencité (Vol. 1) (1979) by Kanté Manfila and Salif KeïtaTimbuktu Renaissance
Dioulou Koussoube Dioulou Koussoube (1979) by Ouedraogo Mamadou and Super Rail Band InternationalTimbuktu Renaissance
Concert "Rail Band" du Mali Concert "Rail Band" du Mali (1976) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
Mélodias Rail Band du Mali Mélodias Rail Band du Mali (1976) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
Melodias "Rail Band" du Mali Melodias "Rail Band" du Mali (1976) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
Affair Social Affair Social (1979) by Super Rail Band InternationalTimbuktu Renaissance
Balandzan Balandzan (1984) by Super Biton du MaliTimbuktu Renaissance
Le Tioko-Tioko Le Tioko-Tioko (1978) by Idrissa Soumaoro et l'Eclipse de l'Institut des Jeunes AveuglesTimbuktu Renaissance
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