Na Hawa Doumbia
La Grande Cantatrice Mailenne Vol.3 Cassette

Awesome Tapes From Africa, a blog dedicated to exposing rare sounds from the African continent, releases its first record as a label. Mali's Na Hawa Doumbia originally recorded La Grande Cantatrice Vol 3 on vinyl in 1982, and the album contains four didadi tunes - folk dance music of Southern Mali inspired by everyday life and composed of three or four drums plus vocals - you won't easily find/hear anywhere else. Harp and guitar melodies mingle with various layers of percussion to provide the backdrop for Doumbia's bold, emotion-filled vocals. Although it's impossible to understand the words, the positive, uplifting vibe can easily be felt. Recommended.

• music label: Awesome Tapes From Africa

reviewed by Nakinboots 01/2011