As a commuter, music is essential to my daily experience. Without it, the hours spent in the car can be dull, and feel like wasted time with unsatisfactory snippets of tired songs on the radio, or another hour with an album I've listened to one too many times. Until I come across an album like "Welcome to Mali" - an album so perfect it begs to be savored with motion and an incredible VW Jetta sound system.
Yes, I know that "perfect," is a very lavish term of praise. But I loved "Welcome to Mali" that much. To date, I have spent many hours behind the wheel contemplating just what words to choose to describe this wonderfully bright, happy album which turns something as mundane as a commute into a tolerable, if not enjoyable experience.
I fell in love with this joyous blind couple's music on the Manu Chao produced "Dimanche a Bamako." It had the signautre stamp of Manu Chao, with bold strokes of color, Manu's distinctive nasal backing vocals, and the natural talent and organic sounds of Amadou and Mariam. The album remains one of my favorite albums of all time to this day. Desperate for more, I had a listen to their 1999 release "Sou Ni Tile" which provided a lot of insight into their raw untouched sound - a more traditionally Malian sound with hints of bluegrass and loads of untapped potential, sort of like a naturally beautiful girl who has no idea what she would look like with makeup.
Though produced by Damon Albarn, (who I adore), I was dubious that he could make me love "Welcome to Mali" in the way that Manu Chao made me love "Dimanche a Bamako." Well, I have to give Damon even more kudos - his production is masterful and invisible. The album sounds closer to the folky, bluegrassy sounds of "Sou Ni Tile," but with a fresh coat of gloss.
Every song swells and crackles with life, streaked with reggae, afrobeat, bluegrass, rockabilly.
The album is a joy from start to finish. The sparse, electronic soundspace of "Sabali," with tender lyrics set to crisp beats is unlike anything I've ever heard from them, and sets the tone for an album that shows just the right amount of evolution for a seasoned artist.
Highlights include, "Djuru," which showcases a stunning bit of kora, as well as the romantic, "Je Te Kiffe," (which roughly translates to "I dig you") and has gentle instrumentals framing Amadou's beautifully uneven vocals. It is immediately followed by "Masiteladi," which bursts from the speakers with an incredible rock / blues guitar that is on par with Ry Cooder.
There is also the bouyant foot tapping "Sebeke," which is packed with rhythms, guitars, and quirky electronic bits for a tune so packed with joy and emotion and color that it makes me happy to be alive.
"Welcome to Mali" comes out in the US in March 2009 on Nonesuch Records.
I have no idea if they plan to tour the US, but I sure hope so, as their live concert remains of the most positive concert going experiences I've ever had.
Find out more about them on MySpace.
Correction - it has just been brought to my attention that Damon Albarn only produced "Sabali" while the rest of the album was produced by Marc-Antoine Moreau and Lauren Jais, who have been with the band for a majority of their album. Which means that while the album still rocks thoroughly, it is Marc-Antoine and Lauren, as well as Amadou and Mariam who deserve credit for near perfect evolution.
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