INNOVATIONS AT MALI K7
Young talents in shop window

Mali K7 has just put on sale about ten albums; a symbolic manner to mark the school and academic reopening of 2004-2005. We did our best to offer the young music lovers and all those who are impassioned for the Malian music, moments of relaxation.

Thus to relax between the classes and the home-works, the students and pupils have the choice between "Guerebou Kounkan", "Jamakan", "Massa Koro" and "Ledieuduçoleil". Guerebou Kounkan or "the voice of Talibés" (7 titles arranged by Kwal) is a surprising album as well by the quality of the sound as by the richness of the messages which evoke patriotism, education, solidarity, exile… These disadvantaged children, generally victims of discrimination and stigmatized, thus claim their belonging to Mali, to the society and to a community. So they are entitled to education, protection, solidarity as all their comrades of ages who have the privilege to identify to a family. Kwal, Dieu du Soleil and Mali K7 gave them this chance and that with the complicity of Tiken Jah Fakoly, Adama Yalomba and Lassy King Massassy in featuring on several titles. And the hit "Anw fana yé mali denw yé" (we also are the sons of this country…) summarize all the will of these children to release themselves from the weight of their statute of beggars and to leave the nasty bench to which the society seems to condemn them.
"Wende Kuni" of Jamakan is also a huge track of relaxation and pleasure concocted with the collaboration of Barou Diallo of Yéelen Productions. While affirming their attachment to the fatherland, this young group pushes the society to become aware of the evils from which youth suffers through songs like Sida, S.O.S Enfant...And the Massa Koro (wise kings of Korofina) dogs their footsteps with "An Bou Faga", the title of their first opus. They intend to crush all the evils on their passage and all the wolves which are mortgaging the future of this youth, and they also speak of the tares of the Malian society with tracks like “Pauvreté” (poverty), “Wari” (money) and the Malian football.
As for Ledieuduçoleil, with "Amen-fis ", he evokes the destiny of the man and rises against the exploitation of the man by the man. This young enigmatic artist praises the infinite grace of the Almighty, Master of the Universe, through the generic title of the album " Sur papier je remercie le Dieu (On paper I thank God)". He recalls us thus that each one of us owe the same to his creator.
To accompany these young talents, Mali K7 chose other young artists who keep on confirming their talent and their ambition to conquer the international show biz. It is the case of Adama Diabaté who’s back to us with a melodious double album. A real new musical experiment with Jean Philippe Rykiel, Mah Damba, Nyama and Baye Tounkara, etc which enables him to pay homage to a superstar of the Malian culture: Amadou Hampaté Bâ (God rest his soul). It is also the case of Amadou Guiteye "You" who confirms his talent on this second album baptized "Taama". Between Takamba, blues, groove and melodies of shepherds, the child of Mopti briskly continues his journey (Taama) towards the vivifying sources of his art. And to accompany him, he pertinently counted on Cheick Tidiane Seck (organ), Baba Salah (guitar solo), Baba Cissoko (tamani), Aly Wagué (flute), Samba Touré, Mamani Kéita and Jennifer Jones (chœur and guest vocal). The result is “No comment!” You will appreciate!
We can’t remain indifferent to "Bercy 2004" of Youssou N’dour. This traditional reunion, with the Parisian and European fans of the child of the Medina, was marked by duets with Rokia Traoré (Birima) and with Jocelyn Beroard and Jacob Desvarieux (Seven second); Formidable and unforgettable performance which must push every collector to have this opus in his tape library. It is also interesting and very enriching to rediscover the inexhaustible and authentic Shien Koumaré in his first album; a real crucible of pure Bamanan music. A first experiment which will undoubtedly be pleasant and full of surprises. A similar feeling can also be obtained by Kia Maouloud, the new ambassadress of Timbuktu, who’s present with a delicious wafer.
These albums, 100 % young and easy to digest products, prove that rising generation of the Malian artists is on the way traced by the elder. In any case, they don’t miss talent and ambition to maintain the Malian music at the respectable level at which it is since decades.
And all these albums have a common point: they cause and encourage the reflection on the becoming of the youth and of the Malian and African society. It is a search of oneself and other that pushes each music lover to wonder about his own fate on that of his fellow human. A reflection which must lead to responsible behaviours to allow the humanity to finally reach the best worlds. Do not wait any more, the tapes are from now on available on the whole national territory thanks to Mali K7, always concerned of the wellbeing of the children and young people of Mali as well as the socio-economic and cultural development of this nation.
King Moseto