TASSOUMAKAN

Artist: Issa Bagayogo Electronic pop music of the West and the indigenous rhythms of Mali's landscape find a perfect balance in the music of Issa Bagayogo. A singer and master of the 6-string n'goni (a regional string instrument that could be described as a cross between a harp and a lute), Bagayogo is renowned for his ability to present dance music that is so steeped in Malian rhythm and instrumentation that the music feels completely organic. TASSOUMAKAN ("Voice of Fire") is a mixed bag of styles, ranging from the acoustic sounding opening track "Ciew Mawele" to the techno-dance grooves of "Furu" to the downbeat "Kanou," which features shades of American blues. Backing Bagayogo is an arsenal of instrumentation that includes the balafon, flute, female vocals, percussion and keyboards.