- country:Mali
- region:West Africa
- style(s):Afrobeat, Acoustic
- label:Cumbancha / Putumayo
- type:Band, Composer/Songwriter
- gender:male
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
- artist posted by:Cumbancha / Putumayo
Line up
- Abdoul Wahib Berthé (Bass / Kamale ngoni, Backing vocals)
- Boubacar Sidibé (Guitar / Backing vocals / Harmonica)
- Habib Koité (Voice / Guitar )
- Kélétigui Diabaté (Balafon / Violin)
- Mahamadou Koné (Talking drum / Doum Doum / Caragnan)
- Souleyman Ann (Drum kit / Calabash / Backing vocals)
Links
After a six-year absence from the recording studio, Malian guitarist Habib Koité and his band Bamada return this fall with a stunning new album, Afriki. With more than 250,000 albums sold around the globe, an appearance on the popular television show Late Night with David Letterman, a duet with Bonnie Raitt on her 2002 album Silver Lining and nearly a thousand concerts on some of the world's most prestigious stages under his belt, Habib Koité is one of Africa's most beloved and popular musicians. Afriki, which was released by Cumbancha on September 25th, 2007, features an appealing set of songs that reflect Habib's unique and innovative approach to the diverse styles of Malian music.
As with many craftsmen, Habib is a perfectionist, and spends a great deal of time composing and arranging his material. Habib draws on styles from the different regions of Mali, rather than solely on the music of his particular area as most Malian musicians do. Habib has gained a strong fan base by integrating the rock and folk sounds of the Western world, without watering down his cherished Malian roots. Habib descends from a line of griots, traditional troubadors who provide wit, wisdom and entertainment and his charisma and magnetism translates across cultures.
