Muso Ko

This album first saw the light of day when it was released by a small company called Contre Jour in Belgium. It stirred up a big storm amongst all African and world music aficionados, and rocketed to the top of the world music charts immediately. The raw energy coming from this low production recording is astonishing. The smooth sounds of the West African melodies and the uplifting rhythms, remind the listener what music is all about. With the release on Munich Records this true gem is now available to a wider audience and will surely find it’s way to not only people who recognize a history-bound record straight off. Extremely favourable press and constant touring through the whole of Europe have helped this band to gather a great number of fans. Born 1958 into a Malian Family in neighbouring country Senegal, Habib Koite grew up with his family’s musical Griot heritage. At a tender age he started accompanying his mother who was a well respected praise-singer. He inherited his passion for music from his grandfather, who played the Noggin, a grand string instrument, usually associated with hunting. After finishing highschool, the self-taught guitarist attended the Institut National des Arts in Bamako, the capitol of Mali. During the four years at the INA Habib became the band leader of the elite band of the school, The INA Star. Upon graduation the INA hired Habib as a full time guitar teacher. After playing in different bands and session appearances Habib Koite formed his current band Bamada in 1988.Habib Koite and Bamada have since then built up a massive crowd of enthusiasts all over Europe and West Africa, with their mesmerising yet energetic live performances. Their music is strongly rooted in the Malian musical heritage with powerful soul/pop influences. Compelling West African melodies, played on pentatonic-tuned guitars. Vibrant rhythms, with dance crazy grand finales, enhanced by the spectacular performance of talking drum player /percussionist Baba Sissoko. Habib’s singing is sensuous with the ability to uplift an audience with catchy choruses. In the African troubadour tradition his lyrics are usually comments on current issues, sometimes supplemented with spicy anecdotes. Subjects like the recent ethnic conflicts in the North of Mali, the increase of the use of whitening creams by African women - to lighten up their skin colour, or smoking ("Cigarette A Bana" ). Though Bamada is a slang word amongst Malian youths for Bamako, it can also mean crocodile jaws. So get ready to be eaten alive by the irresistible sounds of Habib Koite and Bamada.