Mali Drums: Old Masters

MALI DRUMS: OLD MASTERS
Featuring Aruna Sidibe and Brulye Doumbia
Released by earthcds partners.
Recorded and produced by Michael Pluznick
Audio CD: 59 minutes – 10 tracks

Purchase this CD at

Songs:

1. DJagwa Wara
2. Sogonikun
3. N’Gri
4. N’Gomba
5. Soli
6. Cuomo Foli
7. Dununba
8. Madan
9. Bamana Foli
10. Sunguru Bani

The music for this CD was recorded at the local community center outside Sabalibougou. ‘Bougou’ means ‘Village’, although it is located in a city district inside a bustling marketplace outside Bamako, Mali.

The community center houses local dancers, drummers and musicians, most of whom play in the center’s award-winning group. Many famous district groups from outside the city – and deep in the countryside – also pass through the center. This is how we were able to find some of the other groups and music we recorded as well.

The music for this album is traditional, “old school” Bambara-based djembe music. These arrangements were put together by master drummer Aruna Sidibe. He plays and is joined by his students and other musicians. The style is noticeably different than the one played by younger drummers or the “young gun” arrangements, the style currently favored in Bamako, for example.

The CD was made using a high-quality flash recorder and excellent microphones. It’s surprisingly clear and concise, as are the arrangements, playing styles and techniques.

It is my goal to help, in a small way, to preserve the musical culture and heritage through the music my teachers, friends and I are presenting. This being a labor of love, so to speak, any profits made from these recordings go directly to the musicians.

—Michael Pluznick