• This is the final piece in the anarchic jigsaw that is the story - as told by world-renowned producer and entrepreneur, Ibrahim Sylla – of Mali’s legendary Rail Band. Once again we have the soaring guitars, impassioned vocals and long, compelling workouts such as “Wale Numa Lombaliya”, that were a trademark of this group. And again, in songs such as the chugging locomotive that is “Sinsimba”, we hear the powerful impact that Fela’s Afropop had throughout West Africa. "Malian modern-roots band—which featured world music stars-to-be Salif Keita and Mory Kante, both winningly represented—in a collection that is both as scholarly and as vibrant as the label's The Syliphone Years series, showcasing the contemporaneous bands of neighbouring Guinea." Chris May All About Jazz "Their roots were griot (celebrating the exploits of the 13th-century Malian king Sunjata), but they also drew on music from Latin America, Afro-beat, rock and pop. The result is a lovely double-CD,
D**D
Musical Magnificence from Mali
If you have the first two volumes of this "Belle Epoque" series of recordings by Mali's legendary Rail Band, then getting this third one (also a 2-CD set) should be a no-brainer. More musical magnificence!The way that these three volumes are arranged is slightly confusing, for they all cover the years 1970 to 1983. In the back of the booklet that comes with the CDs, they break up the musicians into three separate periods, yet those divisions don't correspond to the music themes on the CDs. Thus, you have the likes of Mory Kante (who left the band in the early 1980s) and Salif Keita (who also had departed the band before that time) performing and writing many of songs on this volume.Confusing classifications or not, the music on both discs is absolutely wonderful, an intoxicating blend of Afro-Latin rhythms and "modern folklore" inherited from Mandingo griots and Bambara numbers. Even with the changing musical lineups, the Rail Band consistently pumped out thrilling sounds. I'd agree with the other reviewer who mentioned Djelimady Tounkar's sizzling guitar solos; they were indeed highlights to these songs, further punctuating an already lively musical menu. Man, seeing these talented musicians and singers perform at the old Buffet Hotel back during this ere must have been a total blast! But at least we can relive those glory days with these great recordings.
T**N
Magical
This two-disc CD, the third volume of a three volume set, is the best collection of Mali's infamous Rail Band. It spans the years 1973 to 1983 and contains tracks sung by Salif Keita and Mory Kante among several other vocalists. The styles on this album vary from traditional Manding music to Congolese rumba to a take on Afrobeat, "Sinsimba." In my opinion, some of the best tracks are the rumba influenced tracks from 1983: "Foliba," "Talassa," and "Bedianomogo." The horns lines on these three songs, as in the best African rumba music, cut a beautiful melody across the complex rhythm laid down below them. It is on these track that Djelimady Tounkara's guitar work really shines. While Franco, another amazing guitarist, always played within the confines of the rumba formula keeping his solos restrained, Tounkara's solo's absolutely dazzle as they play with the rhythm track beneath them, fluttering around the rhythm and then soaring above with Tounkara's amazingly fast appegios.Amazing stuff.
S**N
very happy with the product
delivery was slow, however item was as described by the seller.very happy with the product.
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