The Ultimate Blues: Leni Stern and Friends Find the Strength of African Strings on the Intimate Sabani. Wildly creative guitarist meets musical soulmates and engaging new instruments in Mali—and records a stark yet warm dialogue as part of a close-knit, cross-cultural trio. Read more »
In advance of their album " Folila" in March 2012, Amadou & Mariam have released four advanced tracks including Dougou Badiaon a digital EP Available from the Nonesuch store. Over the course of the last several years, Amadou & Mariam’s music has become increasingly expansive, while remaining anchored by their trademark West African blues-rock. Manu Chao and Gorillaz front man Damon Albarn, in addition to their longtime producer/manager Marc-Antoine Moreau, have produced their recordings. Read on for more details and the full press release. 
This month sees the release of 
, a collection of songs from the legendary Malian musician Sorry Bamba. Produced and compiled by Alex Minoff and Ian Eagleson of Extra Golden - with the direct input of Sorry Bamba himself - Volume One compiles some very rare, never before released tracks from the Bamba lead Kanaga Orchestra of Mopti and the Regional Orchestra of Mopti. To celebrate the label, Thrill Jockey are giving away a free download of the track "Sayouwe". 
Press Release: Terakaft (meaning “caravan” in Tamasheq) is a genuine desert rock band, sculpted by the pure searing air and the endless rolling sands of the Sahara. With a new release 
they show how the stark, harsh conditions of the Sahara have permeated their wild riffs, and as a result Terakaft are the perfect embodiment of all that is wild and free in desert blues today. They have taken the electric guitar and made it their own. 
Adored Abroad, Treasured at Home, Khaira Arby was recently awarded Mali's Tamani D'Or Award, distinguishing her as among Mali's greatest artists of the last 50 years, a feat rarely achieved by women in her country.
Press Release: In Mali, it is customary that those who have the royal name of Keita are banned from singing or playing an instrument. Fortunately, there are some exceptions. Mamani Keita, who used to be a back-up singer for another Keita outcast (Salif) and for the Badema National group, is set to become one of the main ambassadors of modern African music with this third album, Gagner L'Argent Francais. 
Press Release: New release, 
from Idrissa Soumaoro. Knight of the National Order of Mali, in recognition of his services to music, yet at over sixty years of age has only released two albums. His early career embraced membership of Les Ambassadeurs alongside Manfila Kanté and Salif Keita, mentoring Amadou Bagayoko (of Amadou & Mariam) and playing with Ali Farka Toure. He wrote one of Africa’s most famous songs Ancien Combattant (War Veteran), but did not earn royalties as he had not copyrighted the song. Read main article for full press release. 
Tinariwen and Andy Morgan have brought to our attention an appeal to help relieve some of the problems caused by severe droughts in the Adagh region of Northern Mali, an area our listeners will be familiar with through the music of Toureg bands Tinariwen, Toumast and Tamikrest. Read the full story and find out how you can help. 
Vieux Farke Toure remixed once more, 
is released on December 15th. 
New Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate single out now. 'Kala Djula' is the new single from Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté, taken from their forthcoming album 'Ali and Toumani'. The follow up to their GRAMMY winning album 'In the Heart of the Moon' is due for release in February 2010. The single is out now on itunes, Amazon, and all good digital music stores. GondwanaSound: other content and links
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