SIBIRI SAMAKÉ
Dambe Foli: Bamana Hunters Music
KSK CD
* * *
Sibiri Samaké is a man who wears many headdresses. In his
native Mali he is known as a griot, a
traditional healer, a son of nobility, a hunter, and offspring of a musical
family. Hunting societies confer great status in Mali, but Samaké would have
attracted notice for his music if nothing else. He brings to bear all of his
influences on this, his second album. Call it where tradition meets the
present. You will hear hints of African blues and of Western drum and bass
records, but mainly you will hear Samaké’s pastiche homage to his roots. There
is, first of all, the instrumentation–a few which could be plugged in, but
mostly assorted wooden stringed instruments, scrappers, and shakers. The album is
more than 66 minutes long, yet it contains just four tracks. On each, Samaké
uses the instruments to evoke the natural world and his voice to command the
center around which band mates and backing vocalists rally. His leads set the
table for call-and-response singing, but of the sort that conjures a shaman
leading supplicants. His voice is strong and bold; those that respond are often
short syllables, moans, and vocalizations. The pacing is deliberate and
chant-like, as if Samaké is conducting a healing ceremony.
This one may take some getting used to for Westerners whose bodies
and psyches do the double-time boogie, but patience is rewarded for those who
surrender and go with the flow. It’s the sort of album that’s sublime for
intent listening or for background ambience. But if you’re in the midst of a busy
task and start playing this one, don’t be surprised if you drift away and the
task lies undone. --Rob Weir
Here's a short (for Samaké) YouTube clip that will give you an idea of style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdHdLJIXjAY
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