Many readers know that I am a huge Sory Kandia Kouyate fan, and have
been ever since I first listened to “Souaressi” on the Syliphone 40th
Anniversary compilation. I’m pretty excited, therefore, to have
discovered another collection of his available on emusic a month or so
ago: L’épopée du mandingue, or the Mandeng Era. You can grab a
copy yourself with your own emusic subscription here.
 
What’s even more exciting about this one is that I recognize several
of the song titles: I have other versions of “Massana Cisse,” “Keme
Bourema,” “Toutou Diarra,” and “Duga” in the sonoteca already,
so I can look forward to some exciting comparative listening.
 
The whole griot-song oeuvre really is such a source of joy and
creative energy to me, and has been for many, many years.
 
My thoughts on balafonist El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate
 
Picture is one of my many thiebou-dienn photos, from Dedeao’s party on Hart St in February 2008.