Boula

Boula (pronounced bla in some regions) designates one of the essential figures of West Africa, the hunter-warrior. Recorded at Salif's Wanda Records studio in Bamako, Boula features some exceptional musicians: Abdoulaye Diabate plays the bolon, a four-string kora close to a bass, and the percussionists include Mamadou Kone and Souleymane Doumbia; one of Salif's faithful accompanists, Djely Moussa Kouyate plays guitar here and also wrote the arrangements, bringing a light, modern touch to the ensemble; and the backing-vocals are none other than Salif's three sisters, Salimata, Diarra and Maimouna Keita. This album draws on the depths of a genre that is still relatively unknown, but which is now arousing increasing curiosity both in Mali and elsewhere, a phenomenon explained by the fact that it precedes all others: In a way, it is the source itself. After all, doesn't Salif Keita say that Sina Sinayoko is his spiritual father?