Burkina Faso-born Montrealer Dicko Fils (Moulaye Dicko) plays the kora and the n’goni (a traditional West African guitar), sings, composes and produces music with Afro-Pop overtones, dance-worthy rhythms and sunny, optimistic harmonies. It doesn’t take long to get into the smiling, infectious atmosphere that accompanies the eight-track, thirty-or-so-minute album. That’s a bit short, considering the catchy nature of Dicko’s constructions, through which we can easily recognise sources of influence such as Salif Keita and Oumou Sangaré. To these I would add contemporary artists such as Kabza De Small and Issa Babayogo or even to some extent Baaba Maal. The very contemporary electro textures weave further links with Afro futurism. Excellent.
A notable fact about Mr Dicko: he founded an organization in Burkina Faso called Jaango, which works for the education and schooling of young girls and fights against excision and forced marriages. As a result of this noble commitment, he was threatened and had to take to the road (hence the title of the album, in French) to arrive in Montreal a short while ago. His album will be launched on March 8 at Balattou, a symbolic date if ever there was one. Hats off to him for this fine musical production, but also for the dignity of his social commitment.
An exciting album that reveals a humanist and courageous artist.
