Bassekou Kouyate

Went to a sold out launch of Bassekou Kouyate's new album Ba Power at Electrowokz last night. The venue in Islington occupies an old metal work factory and is dark and grubby with the stickiest floor I have trod in many years. The low ceiling and black painted finish reminded me of clubs like Mothers, a famous midlands venue in the 60's and 70's. But now the man switching in his wah wah peddle and launching into a blistering solo is not Eric Clapton or Paul Kossof (both of which I saw at Mothers in the late 60's) but Bassekou Kouyate with a four string Ngoni. The band features three other players of Negoni of different sizes providing as strong a driving rhythm as any rock band. With percussion from Calibash and Tama drum and Basseou's wife on lead vocals this all family band are completely self contained and a must see live performance unit.
Robert Muller.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001859120364

Bassekou Kouyate was in Concert with Habib Koite at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, in the George Weston Recital Hall. The whole Concert was very Laid Back with a Lot of Jamming between the Two Stars, especially during the "Mali Blues" section. The Jamming was the Best part, as the two got into their own, and into one anothers Groove. Also, Habib Koite and Bassekou Kouyate mingled with the audience after the Concert. The Stage was very Bare, which was kool with me.

I would Love to see some more Artists from the World and Ethnic Music Scene.

It was quite an evening, or should I say late afternoon. First up was the timeless blues of the Taj Mahal Trio, whose been entertaining us for more than fifty years. Next we were treated to Bassekou Kouyate's own trio featuring his ngoni playing. However The real magic began when the two trios combined and gave a magical rendition. It was hard to tell sometimes which song was the founder trio's song as they melded together seamlessly. Much more fun than watching football....