Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba - Segu Blue

(Out Here Records/ OH 007)

Segu Blue is the terrific debut album by Bassekou Kouyate , a consummate artist who has been praised by musicians such as the legendary bluesman Taj Mahal who calls him a genius, through to Fatboy Slim and Damon Albarn . Bassekou has played with Toumani Diabate and he also played on Ali Farka Toure ’s posthumous masterpiece Savane. Bassekou is the master of the ngoni, the Malian spiked lute, the first instrument of the Griots that goes back to the time of Sundiate Keita, the first emperor of Mali back in the 13th century. The ngoni is a canoe-shaped guitar like instrument and is the ancestor of the banjo - it makes a glorious sound. So what about this album? The pioneering Bassekou and his band are a ngoni quartet, they play the pentatonic soulful blues music of the Bamana people of Segu. The effortless yet intricate interplay of the band is beguiling and impossible to unpick. The contribution of the guest artists including Bassekou’s wife, the singer Ami Sacko , hailed as “the Tina Turner of Mali”, and Lobi Traore heighten the enjoyment of listening to this beautifully produced album. Have a listen to 'Ngoni Fola' for a taste of this truly funky Malian blues music. A groundbreaking album – and the first time a ngoni quartet has been recorded. ( out 26 March 2007 )

Reviewer : Rita Ray