Various Artists - The Original Sound Of Mali 2 (2LP) [Mr Bongo]

Format: 2x12" in gatefold sleeve + download card.
CAT: MRBLP278

Following the success of The Original Sound of Mali compilation, we return with another deep exploration into the wonders of Malian music, curated by writer, journalist and Grammy-nominated Florent Mazzoleni, alongside David Buttle of Mr Bongo. This second volume restores, reissues, and contextualises iconic tracks from Ousmane Kouyaté & Ambassadeurs Internationaux, Rail Band, Les Messagers du Mali, Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou and many more, further delving into the country's musical richness in the post-independence era, where traditional roots and instrumentation merge with modern advancements and influences.

After Mali's independence and a decade of maturation, the 1970s saw the country's musical culture reveal itself to the world through anthologies and compilations of national and regional productions. It was an exceptionally fertile period in Malian musical history, when state-sponsored bands and orchestras could be documented and recorded by sound engineers.

Mali has always had a rich tradition of storytelling through music, with each province and ethnic group contributing its own unique character and nuances. As Western influences and sounds crossed the Atlantic, Malian musicians began to discover artists such as John Lee Hooker, Wilson Pickett, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, and James Brown. Elements of blues, soul, rock, and funk influenced many bands, who began to cover these artists. An example of this is the energetic reinterpretation of Wilson Pickett's soul/R&B classic In The Midnight Hour by Tjiwara Band of Kati, as well as Get Up James, a track by Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako that channels the essence of James Brown's funk, both featured in this compilation.

Most bands of the era relied on playing in hotels in Bamako, Mali's capital, where they honed their sound. With an increasingly interested audience in foreign styles and the growing availability of modern instruments, this fusion of Western influences with traditional Malian rhythms and instrumentation led to a unique musical expression.

This second volume captures the raw energy of Mali in this period, with a selection of sounds that emerged from the country's newly recorded musicians. From the Afrobeat rhythms of Ousmane Kouyaté and Bouba and Sokona Sacko's hypnotic take on a Malian classic, to the enveloping allure of Tentemba Jazz du Mali and a percussive ngoni-infused piece by Allata Broulaye. Also highlighted is the depth of African desert music from Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou, along with the majesty of Rail Band, propelled by Salif Keita's iconic vocals.

These are just some of the standout tracks in this compilation, which includes an extensive booklet written by Florent Mazzoleni, exploring the history and significance of each piece. With so much hypnotic, profound, and revealing music emerging in Mali during this period, The Original Sound of Mali 2 is an ideal gateway to discover the musical richness this country has to offer.