Konate, Oumar: Addoh

Mali guitarist, Oumar Konate, has released his international debut album entitled Addoh that was recorded during political crisis in his native Mali. This album is filled with emotional strife, with a sound that is trying to tell the stories of young Malian's and how they have managed to live through the rebellion in their shattering country.

Addoh was recorded in both Africa and in the USA and is a crafty combination of native African music melded with both modern and ancient African instruments and also some quite inviting guitar playing mixed in. If you can imagine some Eric Johnson style guitar licks played within some World Beat and African tones, then you are starting to scratch the surface of what Addoh has to offer. Vocals are voiced in his native tongue, so it is not sung in English, but you can feel the emotions that are being conveyed which add so much more authenticity. Songs like the title track, "Addoh" (Tears) is a traditional song that tells the story of a young newlywed that is forced to marry someone that she doesn't love or "Ir Ganda Hassara" (Our Country is Destroyed) that paints the picture of dark despair, you begin to understand how much of a deeply emotive recording this was for Oumar Konate.

Addoh features some very eloquent guitar playing woven into the fabric of the traditional African context, which makes me wonder what Oumar Konate's playing would sound like without being confined to just the more traditional African type of sound. Oumar Konate can play, folks! Addoh is a different listen for me, for sure, but also a somewhat an interesting one. If you are a fan of African music, then please give this a try and if this is something new for you, also give it a listen, you might just be surprised by what you hear.

Track Listing

1. Addoh (Tears)
2. Bisimillah (Welcome)
3. Ir Ganda Hassara (Our Country is Destroyed)
4. Henibombey (A Swindle is No Good)
5. Laissez Nous Tranquille (Leave Us Alone)
6. Maydeni (Hey, Beautiful)
7. Ma Cherie (Baby Don't Do Me Wrong)
8. Allahidou (The Oath)
9. Ayéré Yéré (Shake That Thing)
10. Kourkoy (The Shepherd)
11. Haira (Respect your Parents)
12. Terya (Friendship)

Added: November 17th 2014
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: More Information
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Language: english

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