The Quietus - A new rock music and pop culture website

Baker's Dozen

Listening To The Messages: Oumou Sangaré's Favourite Albums
David McKenna , July 10th, 2019 08:36

Malian musician Oumou Sangaré speaks to David McKenna about her favourite music, being discovered by Ali Farka Touré, and collaborating with Alicia Keys and Tony Allen

Fela_kuti____i_shakara_1562670037_resize_460x400

Fela Kuti – Shakara
He released so many amazing albums but in Africa this is the one we danced to most. He was singing in Yoruba but we sang 'Shakara' in Bambara. We didn't know what he was singing but it sounded so good that we made up our own words in Bambara and danced to it. 

And you worked with Tony Allen on Mogoya.

It was incredible working with him, he's a maestro, a walking library, and he's a delightful person. And he's a genius. And when you play with him it's as though he's the same age as you. And he's present in the moment, and yet with all that history in him. Incredible. And it's real afrobeat.