Track Listing

1. Sounsoumba
2. Sukunyali
3. Kounadya
4. Donso
5. Weke, Weke Wintou
6. Senkele Te Sire
7. Djigui
8. Seya
9. Iyo Djeli
10. Mogokele
11. Koroko

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #272334 in Music
• Released on: 2009-03-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Album Description
2009 release, the first album in six years from 'Mali's Star of Stars' and it reaffirms Oumou Sangare's position as one of Africa's great female vocalists and an African phenomenon. Recorded in Bamako, and co-produced by Nick Gold, Oumou Sangare and Cheick Tidiane Seck. Musicians on the album include fellow World Circuit artist and kora virtuoso Toumani Diabat‚, the great guitarist Djelimady Tounkara, Afrobeat legend Tony Allen, Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun and Magic Malik on flute. Seya sees Oumou Sangare attain a new level of sophistication, maturity and variety, all underpinned by her trademark Funk-driven Wassoulou sound. As with her previous albums, all the songs on Seya were written by Sangare. 11 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Solid and truly African
Seya is the first album in six years for Malian singer Oumou Sangare and it's been well worth the wait. This is a very solid, passionate and uncompromising album, full of strong persuasive vocals and chunky rhythms, with seriously creative arrangements played by a mighty talented backing band. Guests include fabulous kora player Toumani Diabate and equally fabulous guitarist Djelimady Tounkara.

Many African albums are influenced by Western sounds, with varying degrees of success, but Oumou Sangare has retained the traditional sound and feel of her homeland. No cheesy synths or guitars here, but gutsy rootsy sounds that reach out and grab the listener from beginning to end.

On this album as on others she sings her own songs about taboo subjects like polygamy, under-aged forced marriage, sensual love and the role of women in African society. Clearly she has a strong sense of values and that strength pervades this very confident and soulful album.

The funky Wassoulou sound, recorded in Bamako, arranged and produced by Cheikh Tidiane Seck (who must know just about everyone in the African music industry) is sophisticated and intricate so there is depth and joy ("Seya") on many levels.