Oumou Sangare

Oumou Sangaré – Acoustic (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 55:23 minutes | 612 MB | Genre: World
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © No Format!

The aptly named Acoustic shows us a stripped back side of the queen of Malian singing. Recorded in live takes over two intense days in the studio, she revisits her 2017 album Mogoya for the third time which, the following year, was remixed by the likes of St. Germain, François and The Atlas Mountain and even Spoek Mathombo. Nothing is electronic here. Only Guimba Kouyaté’s sensitive guitar, her faithful musical companion Brahima “Benogo” Diakité’s kamélé n’goni and Vincent Taurelle’s organ and celesta, someone who was involved in the original album, enveloping the diva’s unique voice and the voices of her backing singers Emma Lamadji and Kandy Guira. The effect is stunning – never has Oumou Sangaré’s vibrant presence felt so close.

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Oumou Sangare – Timbuktu (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 41:57 minutes | 472 MB | Genre: World, African
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © World Circuit

Sangare’ is renowned worldwide for her vibrant and powerful music, which often features revolutionary messages about women’s rights, tradition and poverty. In her 30 year career she has won numerous awards, counts among her many notable fans Alicia Keys and Beyoncé (who sampled the classic ‘Diaraby Nene’ for her 2019 Lion King release), and, for her tireless work on social progress and cultural development holds the prestigious titles of Goodwill Ambassador to the UN’s Food & Agriculture organisation, Commander of the National Order of Mali and Chevalier of Culture in France.

“Music is within me,” Oumou affirms. “Without it, I’m nothing, and nothing can take it away from me! I’ve put my life into this record, my whole life – this life in which I’ve known hunger, the humiliation of poverty and fear, and from which today, I draw glory.”
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