Baaba Maal
 

http://www.flyglobalmusic.com/fly/ar.../baabamaal.jpg

Anyone else into this chap at all? For those who don't know him, he was basically one of the leading lights in west African apala (folk). I remember back when I was a teenager and you could smoke in pubs and shop in Virgin Megastore I went through a phase of buying 'world music' (I hate using that term, it's far too broad, but I'll let myself get away with it here) and Baaba Maal was one of the artists that really stood out for me - he's probably the most accessible apala singer, certainly a lot more so than the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi and Toumani Diabate.

Here, have a video;

Gorél Ba

Definitely a good starting point if you've ever thought about dipping your toes into this sort of thing. His last album, 2001's Missing You (Mi Yeewni) is my favourite of his, but if you're looking to start off with something go for the Best Of the Early Years (there's a tune called Loodo on it which has probably my favourite ever sax solo on it).

Or you could ask me for a PM here, and I'll send a link your way in the near future.

You passed me his album Missing You via PM a few weeks back and really liked it. So much great African music out there that deserves more attention.

Yeah, pretty much. Shame really - as you say, there's a lot of terrific African music out there with a real identity and vibe of its own. I think I'll just make a mixtape for it in the near(ish) future.

An African music compilation would be damn cool especially if it's full of goodies I have'nt heard before!

I got a comp with a couple Baaba Maal songs on it a long time ago. I liked both songs quite a bit, but then I got his Live at the Royal Festival Hall album and was kind of disappointed. I haven't listened to anything else by him.

I like this idea of making an African music mix tape. It would be cool if all three of us did one.

Not a bad idea that. My one's just finished uploading, so I'll stick it in the mixtape thread sharpish.

I haven't got any of his live material; only a couple of studio effort and a compilation, those being Nomad Soul, the Best Of the Early Years and Missing You. I can sort you a link for Missing You sometime if you want? It's definitely one of the essential African folk albums.