News in from Choux De Bruxelles : Malick Pathé Sow is an extremely talented Senegalese artist. Following loyal service as one of Baaba Maal’s main musicians, he embarked on a solo career after arriving in Belgium. His new (and fourth) CD Maayo Men, recorded live at the Moliere, marks a return to his acoustic roots.

Malick Pathé Sow is a member of the Senegalese Laawbe caste, instrument makers sand musicians who have traditionally taken care of the oral transmission of knowledge between generations. As Malian write Amadou Hampâté says: "In Africa, when an old man dies, it’s a library burning.” This CD aims to preserve part of that rich oral history. The husic paints a vivid picture of the life and culture of the Fula people, an ethnic group that has been present for centuries In Senegal and across West Africa.

The song Maayo Men ("our river" ) pays tribute to the river Fuuta Toro, which forms a natural border between Senegal and Mauritania. After years of conflict, this waterway has become a meeting place where dugout canoes from the two counties pass each other peacefully. This first Muziekpublique CD was recorded in Matonge, the African heart of Brussels. The themes dealt with In the songs presented here (protection of the environment, preservation of linguistic and cultural heritage, respect for diversity..) are as relevant in the musicians’ home countries as they are in Belgium or, indeed, Britain today.

Malick’s vocal melodies are served with a spicy instrumental mix cooked up by his fellow musicians playing the guitar, the hoddu (African lute), the kora (African harp), the njaniooru (African violin) and even the saz (Turkish lute)!

Malick Pathé Sow hoddu, guitar, vocals
Bao Sissoko kora
Désiré Some guitar
Youba Dia: bass
Mady Kouyate : guitar
A.Komlan Octave :callabas
Issa Mbaye Diary Sow : nianiooru
Emre Gultekin: saz
Dady Dem : buuba
Athia Sow : backing vocals
Sylvie Nawasadio: backing vocals
Pape Baro : percussion

Buy a copy of Maayo Men

Download a copy of Maayo men