***1/2 Amadou et Mariam
TJE NI MOUSSO
(Circular Moves)
There ’s been plenty of good new music coming out of Mali over the past few
years, but to some ears it may not kick quite hard enough. Amadou et Mariam,
once billed as the “Blind Couple of Mali,” are just that, a blind
husband-and-wife musical act: both sing, and he plays ripping electric
guitar. They are Bambara, and that’s significant because Bambara music
bears obvious resemblance to American blues. And after many record
releases — including at least two on the international market — the
couple are hip to the substance and the marketing value of that connection.
On Tje Ni Mousso, they exploit it with a vengeance. The punch and
swing of Chicago blues is evident on many tracks, including the boisterous
opener, “Chantez-chantez.” “Dans ce monde troublé” brings in a powerful
backing horn section; other tracks feature organ and violin flavoring. For
the most part, though, this is no-nonsense, small-ensemble, electric
African blues, more urban than Ali Farka Touré or Boubacar Traoré but still
right up front with its Malian roots. And it’s one African pop album with
more than enough rhythmic rock punch.
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