re.nas.cence [riˈnasəns; -ˈnāsəns]
the revival of something that has been dormant ...
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| Kandia Kouyaté in interview 2015 (photo courtesy Binetou Sylla) |
Renascence: CD on Sterns Music
Born in 1959 in Kita, an ancient city in south-western Mali that has bred many important musicians, Kandia grew up immersed in the arts and customs of the Mandé people. Her father was a celebrated player of the bala (xylophone), and he recognised his daughter’s talent for singing when she was a child. Insisting, however, that she receive a modern education, he enrolled her in a Catholic mission school where all instruction was in French. While excelling in mathematics she continued to sing at family gatherings. When her father became ill and could no longer work, she had to do what she could to support the family, so she left school, having completed eight years, and went to the Malian capital, Bamako. There, at the age of 16, she joined a wedding band that presented a mix of traditional and contemporary, local and foreign repertoires. With her regal beauty and a strong contralto that belied her tender age, Kandia lofted the band’s popularity and drew the attention of the most important musicians and music patrons in the city and in the country.
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| Kandia Kouyaté circa 1976 |
With
that kind of success, Kandia saw no reason to make records. She
allowed more cassettes-locales
to be taped and marketed, but despite their popularity in Mali, they
didn’t travel beyond West Africa. The singer, however, did.
Well-connected Malian émigrés brought her to France for concerts,
and in 1987 she was one of a select group of Mandé jelew
that participated in a London festival of royal court music from
around the world. In 1989 and ‘90 she appeared in the USA as a star
of the package tour called Africa Oyé. Record companies offered her
contracts, but she turned them all down. Her most ardent suitor was
the Senegalese record producer Ibrahima Sylla. She resisted, he
persisted, and eventually he got the opportunity to work with her
when the popular Guinean jeli
Sékouba Bambino Diabaté invited her to sing a duet with him for his
album Kassa
(Sterns 1997). That experience convinced her of how much she could do
with a good producer in a modern recording studio, but another two
years passed before she and Sylla made her first full album for
international release on CD.
Kita
Kan (Sterns 1999) was a triumph.
Produced in Paris, it was unlike any prior album of jeliya.
In addition to the traditional Mandé instruments – kora, ngoni,
bala, gita and djembé – the exquisite arrangements employed
electric guitars in several pieces, horns in others, and, in three
songs of breath-taking splendour, a string orchestra. In each
setting, and in various styles, Kandia Kouyaté was in full command
of her art, her voice resonant and her delivery supple and
purposeful. Kita Kan
was (and still is), as the British music magazine fRoots
put it, “the celebratory showcase of a true diva.”
It
was followed three years later by the equally impressive Biriko
(Sterns 2002). Working with Sylla and a
somewhat smaller number of musicians this time in Abidjan and Paris,
Kandia again enlarged her repertoire and stylistic range, singing one
song accompanied only by a pair of acoustic guitars, bringing the
percussion forward for dance numbers, and here and there using mixed
supporting voices to marvellous effect. According to the BBC, Biriko
“pulses with integrity and passion, and exudes a deep, reassuring
strength.”
Kandia’s
next recordings were for two albums entitled Mandekalou:
The Art and Soul of the Mande Griots.
It had long been Ibrahima Sylla’s ambition to bring the greatest
living Mandé jelew
together to celebrate the history and culture of the Mandé people,
and this he accomplished in 2004. Among the 20 singers and
instrumentalists who gathered in Bamako were Sékouba Bambino
Diabaté, Kasse Mady Diabaté, Bako Dagnon, Djelimady Tounkara,
Djessou Mory Kanté, and, of course, Kandia Kouyaté.
Shortly
after that grand summit meeting, Kandia suffered a stroke. Her
recovery was slow and difficult, and for seven years she hardly spoke
or sang. Even after regaining her strength she considered herself
retired. By that time Ibrahima Sylla was in failing health, but he
had not lost his ardour for her voice or his awe of her aura, and so
in 2011 he visited her home in Bamako and convinced her to return to
the recording studio. Lamentably, he did not live to complete the
album. He died in 2013, and his daughter Binetou finished the project
together with François Bréant, who had worked with Sylla on such
recording landmarks as Salif Keita’s Soro
(Sterns 1987) and Thione Seck’s Orientation
(Sterns 2005).
Kandia Kouyaté 2015 - Interview (French)
Kandia Kouyaté 2015 - Interview (French)
“This new album was made only because of Sylla,” says Kandia. “I had been ill and Sylla was gravely ill, but he was always there [in the studio], encouraging me. He asked me to sing everything I knew, everything that was in my head. I said 'I know nothing. I’ve forgotten everything.' But he insisted. 'Tomorrow it will come back,' he said.”
Ken
Braun (with thanks to Lucy Durán)
1. Koala Boumba
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté, Manian Demba & Nanakoul Kouyaté
Acoustic guitar - Fadiala Diawara
Electric guitar - Djely Moussa Kouyaté
Kora - Djely Moussa Condé
Balafon - Lansiné Kouyaté
Bolon - Amadou Sodia
Karignan & yaraba - Mamadou Sacko
Trillian bass & keyboards - François Bréant
The epic journey of the Kouyatés’ ancestors, Kandia’s own lineage, who came from Guinea and settled in Kita, Mali. From there they spread outwards, including to Sikasso, also in Mali, to Burkina Faso and beyond to France and the USA. While they are all children of Yamadi Kouyaté, the descendants of Djeli Mamadou Kouyaté stayed in Kita, and those of Djeli Sotigui Kouyaté went to Bamako, where they were welcomed and provided for by the elders. They did not accept division but always advocated cohesion and unity. Kandia pays tribute to the late Sotigui Kouyaté, the Burkinabé actor who died in 2010 and was a big loss to the Kouyaté family and the world of art. Kandia urges her fellow Kouyaté griots to cultivate unity and brotherhood.
2. Mali Ba
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté
Guitars - Djely Moussa Kouyaté
Bass - Fadiala Diawara
Percussion & keyboards - François Bréant
“This is dedicated to Mali, our great country, on the 50th anniversary of its Independence”. In this vibrant tribute to Mali’s past and present political leaders, Kandia invites Malians, young, old, men and women alike, to get up and work harder for their country. She urges them to remember and not to let down the men and women who fought with bravery and courage against colonisation. She sings about the joy that both independence and later democracy brought to the people of Mali.
3. Kassi Doundo (the crying rooster)
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté, Manian Demba & Nanakoul Kouyaté
Guitars - Djély Moussa Kouyaté
Bass - Fadiala Diawara
Tama - Mamadou Sacko
Triangle, shaker & keyboards - François Bréant
“Oh, what a sight, seeing a nice young man at the entrance of the family compound! Listen, people of Djenne, have you not heard of Bara Koita? He is like the rain needed for seeds to grow. Bara, you are the pride of the Koita and Cissé families and of people wherever you go. Blessed son of Babarou Koita Danbour and Binta Cissé, you carry a heavy load for others. I call on Bara Koita on my way to Djenne, on my way to Bamako and on my way to France. There are not many people of trust and compassion left in this world. Having such a great person around, even if he lives in solitude, is much better than all the silver and gold in this world.”
4. Mogoya Douman (a beautiful relationship)
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Acoustic guitar - Fadiala Diawara
Electric guitar - Djely Moussa Kouyaté
Bass - Fadiala Diawara
Ngoni - Badjé Tounkara
Djembé & karignan - Mamadou Sacko
Triangle & keyboards - François Bréant
A praise song to Seydou Sidibé, a Fula patron from Biriko, Mali. “I will follow my patron Seydou Sidibé from Biriko and enjoy myself. You have everyone’s respect in Biriko. I will follow the Sidibés of Biriko. Not all men are real men, but my patron Seydou is a real man. You have become a father-figure for many here in Mali and in America. When you are a good person, you become everyone’s friend. You are most blessed; you have been kind to me and so have your wife and children. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.”
5. Dakolo
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Koras : Djely Moussa Condé
Bendir & ghatam : François Bréant
In praise of Mamadou Lah (aka Dakolo), a patron who passed away in November 2014 at the age of only 35. Wealthy and famously generous, he donated freely to the poor and to the griots of Mali. Each year he helped many Muslims make their pilgrimage to Mecca. When he died the whole country mourned and he was the topic in local and social media for many weeks after. Kandia thanks him for all that he did and especially for his kindness to the poor.
6. Konoba Doundo (a large bird)
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté, Manian Demba & Nanakoul Kouyaté
Acoustic guitar - Fadiala Diawara
Electric guitar - Djely Moussa Kouyaté
Guitare électrique - Djely Moussa Condé
Bass - Fadiala Diawara
Balafon - Lansiné Kouyaté
Ngoni - Badjé Tounkara
Bongos, shaker & keyboards - François Bréant
“The death of a loved one causes pain, and the void left is hard to bear. But God is good and kind.” Kandia remembers and praises the kindness of Batafin Soumano, her late great-aunt whom, as a mark of affection, she refers to as “Lagaré”, meaning “the youngest of the siblings” or, by extension, “favourite”. She likens Batafin to a big and powerful bird, as she was a great ngara, a mastersinger yet very discreet and one who could never willingly deceive anyone. Batafin was the wife of Fily Dabo Sissoko, an early Malian writer and prominent political figure of the pre-independence years. He fought alongside Modibo Keita, the first president of Mali, for independence from France. Following political disagreements between them, Fily Dabo was imprisoned in Northern Mali, where he died in 1964. He played a big part in the recent history of Mali.
7. Tiè faring (Souri) (brave men)
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Manian Demba, Nanakoul Kouyaté & Sekou Kouyaté
Ngonis - Badjé Tounkara
Calabass, karignan & yaraba - Mamadou Sacko
Trillian bass, timbales & keyboards - François Bréant
Dedicated to Sory and the brave Fula men of Biriko. Kandia sings that when the cowards run away their excuse is they do not wish to be a vulture’s lunch. “Let me call the brave Fula men from Marna. I am addressing the real Fula warriors, the mighty blacksmiths and the powerful griots of Biriko who were honourable men and who did so much for my grandfather”.
8. Sadjougoulé (ill health)
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| Kandia Kouyaté: on location 2015 (photo courtesy Binetou Sylla) |
Kandia Kouyate 2015 - CLIP Sadjougoulé
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté, Manian Demba & Nanakoul Kouyaté
Guitars - Djely Moussa Kouyaté
Bass - Fadiala Diawara
Kora - Djely Moussa Condé
Balafon - Lansiné Kouyaté
Percussion & keyboards - François Bréant
“Don’t cry, Kandia. A person has no other enemy but illness.” Kandia recalls the health issues which prevented her from performing. “This life is for a short period. When I think about yesterday and look at myself today, I praise God for my life and His good deeds. I am grateful to all my jatigiw (patrons), to the authorities, to Morocco and to all the people in Europe and Asia who helped me to recover. I will not cry because I have children and people to lean on. You find your true friends when you are in need.” She then quotes from the Quran the story of prophet Ayyub (Job). who survived many afflictions, including disease, but remained steadfast to God. Because of this God restored his health and wealth.
9. Mandjala (take off the headscarf!)
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté
Bass - Fadiala Diawara
Balafon - Lansiné Kouyaté
Djembé & dounumba - Mamadou Sacko
Percussion & keyboards - François Bréant
A light-hearted song in which Kandia invites all women to take off their headscarves and join her in celebrating the arrival of Ami Touré. “Ami Touré, descendant of Mandé Mory, daughter of Fakaba and Fanta. Let’s all take off our headscarves and celebrate, whether we are friends with her or not.” This gesture, like that of men taking off their hats for a woman, symbolises respect.
10. Camara Donfoli (the dance of the Camaras)
Vocals - Kandia Kouyaté
Backing vocals - Hadja Kouyaté, Manian Demba & Nanakoul Kouyaté
Narrator - Aliou Diabaté
Acoustic guitar - Fadiala Diawara
Guitar - Fadiala Diawara
Kora - Djely Moussa Condé
Balafon - Lansiné Kouyaté
Ngoni - Badjé Tounkara
Bolon - Amadou Sodia
Djembé & dounumba - Mamadou Sacko
Concerning the genealogy and significance of the Camara family name, common in the Mandé area of West Africa. “Ka mara” means to keep the hut or the compound and its content, including the people and the fetish. “Today is a great day in Mandé. Come on and dance with the Camaras, because this is their day”. Kandia sings the history of the Cameras through their journey across Guinea and Mali. It began with Mansa Kiran, the ancestor of Niani Massa Kara who gave birth to six sons. Three of them went to Guinea and settled in the Bouré region, and the other three went to live in Mali, in Kaarta and Siby where Kama-djan himself is from. “Praises and respect are due to all Camara children in Mandé. If you know where you come from, you will know where you’re going”.
Wilfred Willey
Recorded at Studio Bogolan, Bamako, Mali & Studio SoYuz, Paris, France
Sound engineer: Lionel Boutang
Musical production and arrangements by: François Bréant
Produced by: Ibrahima Sylla
Additional production: Binetou Sylla
Coordinator: Sékou Kouyaté
Management : Charlotte Kalala
All words and music by Kandia Kouyaté
Published by Sterns Music Publ.
Photos courtesy: Binetou Sylla
A SYLLART RECORDS Production for STERNS MUSIC
Thanks to Tapa Sylla, Sékou Kouyaté, François Bréant, Julien Dayan and Robert Urbanus.
Je remercie Allah Le tout Puissant et toutes personnes qui m'ont soutenu et aidé pour cet album, ma famille, ma mère, mes diatiguiws, mes amis et tous ceux qui m'ont aidé dans l'épreuve de ma maladie.
Kandia Kouyaté
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| Kandia Kouyaté in interview 2015 (photo courtesy Binetou Sylla) |
