Mali Drums: Old Masters
Featuring Aruna Sidibe and Brulye Doumbia
The music for this CD was played and recorded at Centre Togola, the local community center outside Sabalibougou, a city district and bustling marketplace on the outskirts of Bamako, Mali. The center is run by Director Kareem Togola. ‘Bougou’ means ‘village’ in the Bambara language.
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.
- DJagwa Wara Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:34
- Sogoniku Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 6:00
- N’Gri Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:50
- N’Gomba Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:22
- Soli Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:44
- Cuomo Foli Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:38
- Dununba Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 6:58
- Madan Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:34
- Bamana Foli Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 5:26
- Sunguru Bani Aruna Sidibe & Brulye Doumbia 6:32
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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.
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 that my teachers, my friends and I are presenting.
—Michael Pluznick