Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal is a uniquely talented singer from Senegal. He's equally at home with an acoustic guitar playing traditional folk music or playing the hottest international dance music. He's finally emerging into the international spotlight as one of the world's hottest performers.
While most Senegalese performers belong to the Wolof ethnic group, Baaba Maal is a member of the Pulaar (also known as Fulani) minority from Northern Senegal. Since he wasn't born into a griot (traditional musician) family, he wasn't encouraged to become a performer, but instead studied law. He is a scholar as well as a singer and has spent much of his life studying his heritage.
12": Hamady Boiro
[12MNG803/864061-1]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1992 on Island Records. Written by Baaba Maal featuring Makka B.
Tracks 1, 2 & 3 produced by Simon Booth and remixed by Godwin Logie. Track 4 produced by Baaba Maal and mixed by Adam Mosely. This is one of Baaba Maals best tracks - a slow paced upbeat number featuring a wonderful combination of Baaba Maals vocals and a quality rap from Makka B that fits this track perfectly.
Album: Firin 'In Fouta
[CDIM 1109/524 024-2]
|
Track Listing: |
Produced by Simon Emmerson and released in '94 on Island Records/Mango. A superb album, featuring many strong tracks including Sidiki, Gorel and Swing Yela.
Single: Sidiki
[CIDM 824/854 141-2]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released in 1994 on Mango Records (a division of Island Records). Produced by Simon Emmerson. Addition remix and production on tracks 1 & 4 by Paul "Groucho" Smykle. Track 2 mixed by Simon Emmerson Dave Bottrill. Additional remix and production on track 3 by Nush. The Cafe Del Mako mix is an oldie ('94) Whirl-Y-Gig favourite. Lots of guitars, rhythmical clapping and, of course, Baaba Maals wonderful voice. Taken from the album Firin' in Fouta.
12": Sidiki
[12MNG824/854 147-1]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released in 1994 on Mango Records. Further mixes of this track are found on this 12". The one to go for here apart from the Cafe Del Mako Mix (which features on the CD single) is the Nush Bala Club mix, which is a banging dance version, with big build-ups and extra funky guitars.
Single: Gorel
[12MNG826]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1995 on Mango Records (a division of Island Records). Both African Woman and Gorel, which features the chants of a Senegalese children's circle game, feature on the album Firin' in Fouta. None of the remixes of 'Gorel' live up to the album mix, which is dissapointing given the strength of the track. There was also the ten minute long Sidiki/Gorel megamix by Simon Emmerson, which was written for a live set at the Reading WOMAD Festival on the Whirl-Y-Gig stage and then later appeared on a compilation titled ACSS.
12": Souka Nayo (I Will Follow You)
[PP127004-1]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 11/98 on Island Records. Written by Baaba Maal and Barry Reynolds. Produced by Simon Emmerson and Martin Russel. Additional remix and production on track 2 by The Press, on track 3 by Seannie B and on track 4 by Thievery Corporation. Head straight for the Album Version (featuring from the album Nomad Soul) of this glorious track. The CD single also includes a remix by Fila Brazilia.
Album: Nomad Soul
[PALMCD2002]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1998 on Palm Pictures (Island Records).
Album: Missing You (Mi Yeewnii)
[PALMCD2067]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 2001 on Palm Pictures. Recorded mainly in Senegal, Mi Yeewnii is Baaba Maals ninth album, which is an achievement in its own right. Adopting a back-to-basics approach, this is an acoustic album focusing on the incredible vocal talent of Maal.
For more info on Baaba Maal, see these links:
