Mamadou Koïta – Terry

Terry is a well-crafted album of African Trad-pop rooted in the Malinké soil, a cultural galaxy that extends over a very large part of West Africa. Mamadou Koïta, a Montrealer of Burkina Faso origin, arrives with a hyper-festive first opus, blending strong traditional influences (mainly in the vocals and percussion) with occasional infusions of cheezy pop (keyboards) and contemporary electro sounds (autotune). It turns out to be quite effective and quite personal, like a mix of percussive classics such as Famoudou Konaté or Billy Nankouma Konaté, with injections of Mory Kante, minus Mononc’-Papy. The strong presence of traditional percussion (balafon, djembé, dundun, sangban, kenkeni, etc. ) and other ancestral instruments (peule flute, n’goni) sets Terry on a course of meticulous authenticity, but the “documentarian” approach is totally avoided with the grafting of bass, drums, guitar and keyboards that will also appeal to Soukouss lovers (yes, I know, that’s Congolese. But still…).

Terry‘s energy is electric and sunny. In all this West African fiesta, “Wawana” is the beach you’re most likely to recognize at an upcoming Nuit d’Afrique festival.

Read my colleague Elena Mandolini’s interview with Mamadou Koïta

Mamadou Koïta is surrounded by Balafola, a fine ensemble of Montreal musicians:

Salif Sanou (aka Lasso) on Peul flute and percussion, Carlo Birri on bass, Sylvain Plante on drums, Adama Daou on percussion and djembe, Sidafa Koita on dundun, sangban and kekeni, David Mobio on keyboards and Iris Lindsay on percussion and n’goni.

Proof that Montreal has a rich African music scene, certainly one of the most stimulating outside Africa, after London and Paris.