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Mali Music: Gemma Cairney in Mali

Gemma Cairney travels to Mali to meet local musicians affected by the recent troubles, plus she joins Damon Albarn's Africa Express as they attempt to record an album in Bamako.

Presenter Gemma Cairney travels to Bamako in Mali to discover more about the music and artists there, and how it has been affected by the music ban which was in place due to the recent troubles in the north of country.

Mali, for so long a musical powerhouse with some of Africa's finest performers has seen its music scene damaged by the coup, the collapse of the country and the Islamist takeover of the north. Incredibly, music was banned for several months in much of this nation that is so entwined with its musicians.

Gemma meets local musicians including Naba TT and Afel Bocoum who talk about their experiences of the ban and living through this very difficult time.

Gemma then joins up with the Africa Express a collective of musicians led by Blur frontman Damon Albarn, as they attempt to record an album in an improvised studio in the city of Bamako with local Malian musicians.

Gemma is given unique behind the scenes access from their rehearsal rooms in Bamako with contributions from Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, Django Django's David Maclean, Andre de Ridder, Olugbenga from Metronomy, Lil Silva, Ghostpoet, Pauli and Songhoy Blues, a group of young musicians from Timbuktu who had to flee to the South during the troubles. During the recording sessions they end up collaborating on a track with Nick Zinner.

Gemma also joins the collective as they celebrate Mali's biggest holiday, Eid al-Adha festival with Malian musical legend Salif Keita on his island outside the city.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 19 Jan 2014 13:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

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Clip

Music Played

  • Adama Koita

    Fantainfella Toyi Bolo (Live From Maison Des Jeunes)

  • Adama Koita

    Fantainfalla Toyi Bolo

  • Africa Express

    Season Change

    • Maison Des Jeunes.
    • Transgressive Records.
    • 003.

  • Africa Express

    Wade In The Water

  • Ali Farka Toure And Toumani Diabete

    Sabu Yerkoy

  • Khaira Arby

    Desert Blues

  • Ben Zabo

    Dimiyan

  • Ben Zabo

    Sènsènbo (Hommage à Dounaké Koita)

    • Ben Zabo.
    • Glitterhouse Records.
    • 002.

  • Afel Bocoum

    Politique

  • Damon Albarn, Afel Bocoum, Toumani Diabate & Friends

    Tennessee Hotel

  • Gambari feat. Kankou Kouyate

    Yamore

  • Salif Keita

    Madan

  • Lobi Traore Band

    Deni Kelen Be Koko

  • Rokia

    Tuit Tuit

  • Songhoy Blues

    Soubour

  • Songhoy Blues

    Live Track

  • Ali Farka TourΓ©

    Penda Yoro

  • Yacouba Sissoko Band

    Chanson Denko Tapestry

Broadcast

  • Sun 19 Jan 2014 13:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music