‘Star of Stars’ and ‘Queen of West African Music’, Oumou Sangare kept her legion of fans waiting thirteen years for her studio comeback, although her compilation of five years ago, Oumou, did feature several previously unreleased recordings. Proving that the best things come to those that wait, the new album, Seya, is superb and has already found worldwide critical favour. It takes us back to her early musical outings, which did as much as anything to put the Malian region of Wassoulou on the musical map, and features a voice that has matured over the years and speaks with authority in contemporary Mali, particularly on the topic of women’s rights and the position of women in society, earning her the respect of the great Ali Farka Touré himself.
This will be Oumou Sangare’s second appearance at Druga Godba. Her first, on the occasion of the 10th festival in 1994, introduced Slovenian audiences to the unknown musical territories of Mali. We are delighted that this year’s festival, our 25th, will once again be infused with the colours of her music and lit with her megawatt smile.
Oumou Sangare – voice
Souleymane Sidibe – calabash
Sekou Bah – bass
Hamane Toure – guitar
Brehima Diakite – ngoni
Zoumana Tereta – violin
Aliou Dante – drums
Cheikh Oumar Diabate – djembe
Amadou Traore – flute
Dandio Sidibe – backing vocals
Fatoumata Diawara – backing vocals
Discography:
Mogoya (No Format!, 2017)
Seya (World Circuit/Intek, 2009)
Oumou (World Circuit, 2004)
Ko Sira (World Circuit, 1993)
Moussolou (World Circuit, 1991)