Salif Keïta

Back In Style

Paris 

16/06/1999 - 

Salif Keita, one of the most respected West African artists on the international 'world music' scene, is back in the music news this month with a brand new album (recorded in Bamako, Paris and New York) and two hot concert dates in Paris.

Salif Keita has come bounding back to the forefront of the music scene this month - and what's more, the West African star's looking on top form. Just ask the hundreds of fans who flocked to the Man's gig at La Cigale in Paris on June 11th and 12th! They were treated to an evening of dynamic rock and unsurpassed showmanship, Keita giving his all on stage as the audience greeted each new song with rapturous applause, dancing wildly down below. Needless to say, the tracks from the African star's new album (written and recorded in Bamako, Paris and New York) proved an instant hit at La Cigale. Indeed, we can already predict that Keita has a potential chart smash on his hands with the song "Bolon".

Pop? Rock? 'World' rhythms? Keita's smooth fusion sound defies all attempts to categorise it, the singer throwing a bit of everything into his musical melting pot (although always making sure he adds a good dose of authentic African tradition!) The main reason behind Keita's enduring success, however, is not his fusion sound but his amazing vocal prowess, which instantly has audiences eating out of his hand. The Master's Voice did not fail to make an impact on Friday night in Paris, fans leaving the concert at La Cigale exclaiming "His voice is just amazing, totally amazing!"

It's strange to think that Keita's powerful vocals might never have reached our ears. The singer is descended from a noble family rather than the 'griot' caste responsible for storytelling and music, and according to West African tradition, he should never have had anything to do with the music world. Keita's prodigious talent would win out over tradition in the end, however - much to the delight of thousands of music fans worldwide!

Keïta's new album is dedicated to the memory of family and friends and, as the album's title "Papa" suggests, the singer also uses his new work to pay special tribute to his father (who passed away in 1995). Musically speaking, the album is a wonderfully eclectic affair, Keita exploring a wide range of musical genres, re-inventing traditional sounds and experimenting with some rather daring innovations (e.g. the vocal/instrumental mix on the track "Gnokon Fe"). Is the famous "Lion of Mandé" seeking to carve out a new identity as he moves into the next Millennium? Or has Vernon Reid, guitarist from the legendary 'hard fusion' group Living Colour and co-producer of Keita's new album, managed to add his own special touch? Or maybe it's simply the fact that Keita recently changed record companies, signing a new contract with Blue Note/Emi?

Whatever the case, "Papa" brims over with hope and optimism, the singer turning resolutely towards the future on his new album. Maybe this has something to do with Keita's decision to return to Mali and open his own recording studio - a move which the singer hopes will help promote a new generation of up-and-coming African stars!

Twenty years after launching the "sono mondiale" trend in Paris, Keita continues his musical mission, fusing African and Western sounds and mixing the old with the new. At the end of his concert at La Cigale on Friday night Keita gave his fans two special treats, performing a brilliant acoustic version of "Sada" - a ballad dedicated to his old friend and sponsor Sada Diallo - and inviting his audience up on stage to dance at the end of the show. In short, Salif Keita proved he is the stuff of which stars are made!

French text: Soeuf Elbadawi
English adaptation: Julie Street

"Papa" (Capitol Records)