Mali's Publicly Funded Vinyls
The government-supported albums that played a key role in establishing Mali's musical bonafides
Inspired by the example of neighboring Guinea, the government of Mali finally began producing vinyls in partnership with the German label Bärenreiter Musicaphon in 1970. With a system of local and regional orchestras established throughout the country, the albums produced during this golden era played a key role in establishing Mali's musical bonafides.
Nama Nama (1983) by L'Orchestre National BadémaTimbuktu Renaissance
Created in 1976 from the fusion of the National "B" Orchestra of the Republic of Mali and Les Maravillas, the National Badéma Orchestra released its first album (Tira Makan in 1977).
Tira Makan Tira Makan (1977) by L'Orchestre National BadémaTimbuktu Renaissance
Khalil Traoré, its first conductor, played the keyboard while his successor, Amadou Ba Guindo played the trumpet. The other artists of the group were: Kassemady Diabaté (vocals), Boncana Maïga (flute), Sidya Touré (guitar), Harouna Barry (tenor sax), Bah Tapo (percussion), Aliou Traoré (violin), Baba Traoré, Dramane Coulibaly, Issa Traoré Falaba.
L'Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali L'Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali (1977) by L'Ensemble Instrumental National du MaliTimbuktu Renaissance
Soundiata or the Manding Epic Soundiata or the Manding Epic (1977) by L'Ensemble Instrumental National du MaliTimbuktu Renaissance
Regional Orchestra of Mopti Regional Orchestra of Mopti (1970) by Orchestre Régional de MoptiTimbuktu Renaissance
The Kanaga Orchestra of Mopti explores the rhythms and melodies of the peoples of the Niger River Delta (Dogon, Fulani, Bozo, Songhai, Bambara), developing various styles of the country - Mandingo, Dogon, Peul or Afro-blues music.
L'Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti L'Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti (1977) by L'Orchestre Kanaga de MoptiTimbuktu Renaissance
The Dogons : Chants of Life - The Funeral Ritual The Dogons : Chants of Life - The Funeral Ritual (1956) by Office du Radio Diffusion TelevisionTimbuktu Renaissance
The Kanaga Orchestra of Mopti explores the rhythms and melodies of the peoples of the Niger River Delta (Dogon, Fulani, Bozo, Songhai, Bambara), developing various styles of the country - Mandingo, Dogon, Peul or Afro-blues music.
L'Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti L'Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti (1977) by L'Orchestre Kanaga de MoptiTimbuktu Renaissance
The group became laureate of the Biennale Artistique et Culturelle de la Jeunesse du Mali three times: 1978, 1980 and 1982, the year it won the prize that made it a national orchestra. That same year, they won first prize in Dakar at the inaugural Festival de Musique Moderne de la Zone II. Four artists served as the foundation: Sorry Bamba (conductor, vocals), Koko Dembelé (lead guitar, vocals), Amadou Guitteye (guitar) and Adama Namakoro Fomba.
The Best of the First Biennale of Arts and Culture for the Young (1970): Regional Orchestra of Sikasso The Best of the First Biennale of Arts and Culture for the Young (1970): Regional Orchestra of Sikasso (1970) by Orchestre Régional de SikassoTimbuktu Renaissance
François Ballo, Cheick Sabibou Diabaté, Mamadou Diakité and Mamadou Touré as well as a beautiful flock of anonymous musicians are at the origin of this orchestra from Mali's most southern region. They produced their first album under the name "Orchestre Regional de Sikasso" in 1968 on the national label.
Le Kéné-Star de Sikasso Le Kéné-Star de Sikasso (1977) by Le Kéné-Star de SikassoTimbuktu Renaissance
The second dates from 1970 on the German label "Bärenreiter-Musicaphon". The producer and sound engineer is called Boubacar Traoré. The band's third record dates from 1977. The musicians were: Baba Barry (conductor, drums), Salif Touré (vocals), Abdoulaye Diabaté (vocals), Massambou Wélé Diallo, Madou "Guitare" Sangaré (guitar), Mamadou Diakité (vocals), Mamadou Touré (vocals), Cheick Sadibou Diabaté (vocals).
Panorama of Mali Panorama of Mali (1970) by Rail Band, Biton National de Ségou, Orchestre de Gao, Orchestre Régional de Sikasso, and Tjiwara Band de KatiTimbuktu Renaissance
Driven by the whirlwind of two brilliant guitarists, supported by a brass section with two trumpets and a saxophonist who could have been a star in any American jazz combo, the music of the Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou (aka L'Orchestre Régional de Tombouctou) oscillates between the desert-trance Tuareg and the hypnotic dance style later expounded by Salif Keita's group, Super Rail.
Unique album of Le Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou Unique album of Le Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou (1977) by Le Mystère Jazz de TombouctouTimbuktu Renaissance
The musicians were: Cheikna Sidi Mohammed (guitar, vocals), Boubacar Traoré "Hamdallaye" (guitar), Baba Napoleon (saxophone), Touareg Ag Milili (vocals), Nouhoum Baby (guitar).
L'Orchestre National "A" de la République du Mali L'Orchestre National "A" de la République du Mali (1970) by L'Orchestre National "A" de la République du MaliTimbuktu Renaissance
Formation "A" was led by its conductor, a former member of Kélétigui Diabaté, a multi-instrumentalist who plays lead guitar in the group. Djelimady Tounkara played guitar and Magan Ganessy was the singer. The National Orchestra "A" of the Republic of Mali was conducted by Panga Dembélé (conductor, trumpet, saxophone). The other members of the group were Monkontafé Sacko (vocals), Baba Barry (drums), Kassim Sacko, Madani Samaké (tenor saxophone), Papa N'diaye.
The only album of the National Orchestra "A" was released in 1970 on the label Bärenreiter- Musicaphon. It contains two songs in the tradition of the griot epic tale, "Taara" and "Duga" and a song about the betrayal of a lover ("Janfa") later covered by the Tjiwarra Band. The album, which was never re-released by Bärenreiter, was a source of inspiration for many Malian musicians.
Orchestre Rail-Band de Bamako Orchestre Rail-Band de Bamako (1970) by Rail-Band Orchestra of BamakoTimbuktu Renaissance
The Rail Band de Buffet Hôtel de la Gare was formed in 1969 by Tidiani Koné. Salif Keita joined the band as lead singer in 1970 and in the same year an album was released under the name "Orchestre Rail-Band de Bamako" by Bärenreiter-Musicaphon.
Buffet Hotel de la Gare (Bamako) Buffet Hotel de la Gare (Bamako) (1973) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
The internationally renowned djéli, Mory Kanté joined the band in 1971 as guitarist/vocalist and Djelymadi Tounkara, a former member of the National Orchestra "A" of the Republic of Mali, also joined the band as a soloist. In 1972, Salif Keita left the group for Les Ambassadeurs du Motel so Mory Kanté became the lead singer.
Soundiata Soundiata (1975) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
The main artists of the group were : Tidiane Koné (conductor, trumpet, tenor sax and alto), Salif Keita (vocals), Mory Kanté (solo, balafon, vocals), Makan Ganessy (vocals), Djelimady Sissoko (vocals), Lanfia Diabaté (vocals), Sékou Kanté (vocals), Damory Kouyaté (vocals), Djelimady Sissoko (vocals), Sékou Kouyaté (vocals), Nabé Baba (guitar), Djelimady Tounkara (guitar), Mamadou Diakité (rhythm guitar), Ousmane Sagodogo (guitar rhythm), Djelimoussa Kouyaté (rhythm guitar), Cheik Traoré (rhythm guitar), Alfred Koulibaly (keyboard)...
Demba Demba (1975) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
Sourakata Cissé (trumpet), Moussa Koné (trumpet), Kabiné Keita (sax), Ledi Youla (sax), Cheikh Traoré (bass), Issa Tounkara (bass), Mamadou "Pacheco" Bagayogo (drums), Fotigui Keita (drums)...
Rail Band Rail Band (1975) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
...Mamadou Bagayoko (drums), Dramané Coumare (congas), Korobala (congas), Marius (timpani)Abouramané Koumane (percussion), Moussa Traoré (percussion), Moussa Koné (percussion)
Khaira Khaira (1975) by Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
The albums released since 1973 have led to the group's name being changed to Orchestre Rail Band. In 1975, several titles are released: Diaba, Mouodilo, Mokodiolo, Wassamba, Laï soumalei, Soundiata, Balakononifing, Kaïra, Louseny, Mamadou Boutigui.
Orchestre du Buffet Hôtel de la Gare de Bamako Orchestre du Buffet Hôtel de la Gare de Bamako (1977) by Super Rail BandTimbuktu Renaissance
In 1976, Makan Ganessy retired as an artist and left the group. Mory Kanté became the main singer. In 1977, the group is called "Super Rail Band, Orchestre du Buffet Hôtel de la Gare de Bamako" and releases the title Wale numa lombaliya.
Le Super Biton National de Ségou Le Super Biton National de Ségou (1977) by Le Super Biton National de SégouTimbuktu Renaissance
Born from the merger of several regional orchestras in the mid-60s, Ségou's Super Biton had its heyday in the 1970s. Winner of four cultural biennials in a row, the group was put out of competition and crowned national orchestra in 1976 and became Le Super Biton National de Ségou, along with the Badema National.
Le Super Biton National de Ségou Le Super Biton National de Ségou (1977) by Le Super Biton National de SégouTimbuktu Renaissance
Before Super Biton became a national orchestra, it was first a regional orchestra from Ségou region. They made itself known to the broader public during the annual Youth Weeks, where it won first prize four years in a row.
Their mission was to highlight the cultural heritage of Ségou and to modernize it..
Initially, most of the orchestra's popularity came directly from the Ségou region so it changes its name to “Biton de Ségou”, then “Super Biton de Ségou” and finally “Super Biton National.”
Regional Orchestra of Ségou Regional Orchestra of Ségou (1970) by Orchestre Régional de SégouTimbuktu Renaissance
At its peak, the orchestra was composed of: Amadou Ba (conductor, trumpet), Mamadou Doumbia (vocals, percussion), Mamadou Coulibaly (vocals), Aboubacar Kissa (vocals), Toussaint Siane (vocals, percussion), Mamadou Sissoko (guitar), Mamadou Guindo (guitar rhythm), Dramabé Diarra (bass), Abou Touré (alto sax), Mamadou Diarra (alto & soprano sax), Gagny Diawara (trumpet), Modibo Diarra (keyboards), Zoumana Diarra (drums), Moussa Ouattara (congas).
L'Orchestre Sidi Yassa de Kayes L'Orchestre Sidi Yassa de Kayes (1977) by L'Orchestre Sidi Yassa de KayesTimbuktu Renaissance
The evolution of Sidi Yassa de Kayes began in the 1960s, when the conductor Harouna Barry sought to revitalize local culture with traditional music that was imbued with a more modern aesthetic. In the early 1970s, the regional orchestra of Kayes became the Sidi Yassa de Kayes, named after Sidi Yassa, a great singer who also became a conductor. In 1977, they released an eponymous LP on the legendary Mali Kunkan collection. The album opens with "Sidi Yassa" and Penda is sung by Jean Bitar, one of Sidi Yassa's best singers.
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