The Malian/Parisian singer songwriter Fatoumata Diawara brings Wassoulou vocals to acoustic folk on her debut album. On Fatou, Fatoumata's striking vocals and guitar work are matched against subtle backing.
The album features guests from the likes of Tony Allen on drums, Toumani Diabaté on kora, and even John Paul Jones on bass.
There are serious messages to a number of her songs (the lyrics are translated in the extensive liner notes), including ‘Bissa’ (arranged marriage) and ‘Boloko’ (female circumcision), but there is just as much of the bright and playful side of Fatou on ‘Bakonoba’ and her ode to love – ‘Kanou’.
The album has been beautifully produced, as you would expect from World Circuit, and that allows Fatoumata & her songs to simply shine… A new African star has arrived.
Fatoumata Diawara - Bissa from World Circuit on Vimeo.
1. Kanou
2. Sowa
3. Bakonoba
4. Kèlè
5. Makoun Oumou
6. Sonkolon
7. Alama
8. Bissa
9. Mousso
10. Wililé
11. Boloko
12. Clandestin
