Various Artists - Mali. The Art of Griots of Kela, 1978-2019 (2021)

Enchanting griot tales from West Africa; recorded in traditional settings and spanning nearly half a century, and each accompanied by lilting guitar and koni lutes in a way that you’d never guess when they were recorded

“About a hundred kilometers south-west of Bamako, on the left bank of the Niger River, the Malian village of Kela is known to be home to a large community of griot musicians (jeliw) mostly belonging to the Diabaté family. Their art is recognized throughout West Africa and many griots come from all over the world to stay there, sometimes for several years, in the hope of becoming immersed in it. The six pieces for voice accompanied by guitar or traditional koni lutes were recorded in 1978 (tracks 3 to 6) and in 2019 (tracks 1 to 3), in the same traditional dwelling, which still serves as a "studio". The accompanying booklet contains the testimonies of several important musicians who took part in the recording, and evoke key elements of their universe. Recordings by Bernard Mondet (1978) and Vincent Zanetti (2019).”

Tracklist:
1.01 - Fama Diabaté, Samba Diabaté, Mahamadou Diabaté - Sanuge Jimba (5:25)
1.02 - Bintan Kouyaté, Jétenné Diabaté, Adama "Super" Diabaté, Jétennémadi "Fitini" Diabaté, Karia Fanta Diabaté, Jeminian Diabaté - Kulanjan, "The large eagle" (9:28)
1.03 - Awa "Duga" Diabaté, Samba Diabaté, Mahamadou Diabaté - Baala kononi fin "The little black bird of the river" (7:10)
1.04 - Kajatu Diawara, Bakari "Espagnol" Diabaté, Mademba "Racine" Diabaté, Jétennémadi Diabaté - Deniya, "Childhood" (5:32)
1.05 - Mory Muso Diabaté, Kéla Bala Diabaté, Karunga Fiman Diabaté, Mademba "Racine" Diabaté, Jétennémadi Diabaté - Jata (7:04)
1.06 - Mory Muso Diabaté, Kéla Bala Diabaté, Karunga Fiman Diabaté, Fatma Jemoussa Diabaté, Yamudu Diabaté, Jeli Kankumadi Diabaté - Sanaba Musa (9:15)