A nice greatest-hits compilation from the Mansa of Mali. While previous compilations (primarily Mansa of Mali...A Retrospective) have focused on more limited ranges of Salif Keita's career, this one attempts to cover the full expanse of work that he's done post-Ambassadeurs: six songs from the seminal Soro album, two from Ko-Yan, four from Amen, seven from Folon, and three from the score to L'Enfant Lion. It's a nice overview of his work, focusing admittedly somewhat more on the {@M...   [ read more ]

CD $18.98

Sometimes a return to basics can be the best way for an artist to move forward. For Salif Keita, that's definitely the case with Moffou. In spite of using a hefty number of musicians (17, plus six backing vocalists), the sound is very stripped-down. Even the supple electric guitar work of Djeli Moussa KouyatT is mellow and low-key. The real beauty here is Keita's voice, carefully framed and used to maximum effect. High, almost piercing, it's a gorgeous instrument that can ride and transform a m...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

From the Wrasse label comes this compilation of works featuring the great Mansa of Mali in his earlier days. The album essentially covers the years up to 1984, when Les Ambassadeurs broke up. The coverage is of the old Rail Band days with Mory Kante, the Ambassadeurs days (from Bamako and Abidjan) with Kante Manfila, and some of the early solo work from Salif Keita. The instrumental work is outstanding, as both of the bands of which Keita was a member were known for their musical...   [ read more ]

CD $14.23