MALIAN MUSIC
Good prospects for 2005

As for the last past years, the Malian music will continue its conquest of the international show biz in 2005. And this thanks to the efforts of international promotion of Mali K7. This floret of Malian musical industry does not miss any occasion to highlight the talent of our artists. The society was present at the edition 2004 of World music export (Womex) which took place from 28 to October 31, 2004 in Essen (Germany).
The General Manager managed to obtain contracts of European and American tours for young talents of his famous stable. Thus, after a triumphal concert at the Womex 2004, the new album of Adama Yalomba, Namarako, will be distributed in the entire world by an American label. This world release will be followed by a European and American tour during the spring 2005.
An extra for the child of Ké-Macina who was in concert in France at the end of October 2004. A month brilliantly ended a week later with an amazing spectacle and unforgettable at the French culture Centre of Bamako. The quality of the spectacles illustrated by a remarkable scenic presence and a perfect vocal control proves that Yalomba is maintaining himself on the ascending curve which has always characterized his artistic career.
This hardly surprises because the ambition of the virtuoso player of Yalomba and kamelen n’goni is now known of all: to give a universal dimension to the rhythms of his native Ké-Macina; a challenge within his reach because he has the confidence and the support of Mali K7 from which he is today one of the best.
This year was also marked by the world release of the new album, Tassoumakan, of Issa Bagayoko "Techno Issa", by an American label. As its title indicates it, Tassoumakan (the expression of fire or message of the smithy), the opus has the solidity of iron, the light and the heat of fire. It has every thing to please, to seduce while weaving a solid bridge between the cultures, between the people thanks to the original tempo the electro.
It is not surprising that this sumptuous album which is on sell since last month, already occupies the 3rd place in the World Charts Europe. At the same period, the small slave of the Fulani took part in the international festival of Malaysia where his performance was unforgettable. For this third album, the artist intends to convince the more sceptics through a promotional tour in the USA and in Europe. Wherever he performed, the public was not only conquered by the clearness of his musical fusion. People were also seduced by his scenic ease and the thundering voice of this blacksmith who does not cease forging a melodious passage towards glory.
In the conquest of the international show biz, Adama Traoré "Yalomba" and Issa Bagayoko "Techno Issa" will be preceded by Afel Bocoum, the heir of the bluesman of the desert. Indeed, the dolphin of Ali Farka Touré will animate some concerts in Portugal during November. A supplementary request which proves that this young talent of the Malian blues even African is meeting the expectations his Master and uncle as well as music lovers of the whole world deprived of the warm and fantastic performances of the “Grammy Awards” since the end of 1999: Year of his retirement from the international scene.
Presently, Mali K7 does not spare any effort to make other young talents of its stable discover on the international scene. Other young stars are highly likely to take their first steps on the continental and world scene and be by the sides of Salif Kéita, Oumou Sangaré, Habib Koité, Rokia Traoré, Kar Kar, Tartit, Adama Yalomba, Issa Bagayoko, Afel Bocoum, etc…. this can only consolidate the increasing notoriety of the Malian music in the world artistic arena.
King Moseto

Music in mourning
It is with a deep affliction that we heard the death of Rokia Oularé. The disease which was corroding her since months finally had the upper hand of the fine flower of the Malian choreography last Friday November 5, 2004;
a talented chorus-singer and dancer torn off from her family and of the music lovers. She was formed in the famous group “les Kotébas d’Abidjan” of Souleymane Koly. Beautiful, elegant, jovial, Rokia marked several clips with his presence. Clips of Kandia Kouyaté, Babani Koné, Adja Soumano, Saranba Kouyaté, Moriba Diabaté… profited from her talent, her elegance and her scenic presence. It is this gracious and intrepid girl that death tore off from the scene in the prime of life. Rokia rests from now on in the cemetery of Hamdallaye where a crowd of parents, friends and admirers led her on Saturday November 6, 2004. Rest in peace gracious chorus-singer!

Desert Blues at the French Arts centre
The Creation Desert Blues will perform on next November the 27th in the French arts centre of Bamako. Initially planned for November 20, 2004, this concert will mark the launching of the activities of the festival of the desert of 2005; an occasion for those who missed the first representation to take pleasure. Let us finally recall that creation desert blues is a co production of Mali K7, Contre Jour and Divano Production (artistic agencies of the artists).