Senegalese superstar, Baaba Maal, is promoting the release of his 11^th studio album, The Traveller, with a 2016 European tour.

Spiritually and musically educated in both Paris and Senegal, Maal’s sound has developed into a truly original and balanced articulation of Western pop and African folk traditions. Recorded in London and Senegal and produced by Hugo Karlberg of The Very Best; this latest offering merges roots with electro.  Karlberg has previously collaborated with M.I.A., Coldplay and Amadou and Marium.

Promo singles ‘Gilli Men‘ and ‘Faluni‘ give clues as to what we can expect from the forthcoming tour. The lead single of double A side, ‘Fulani Rock‘, is a pensive, electronic, desert blues raga with nods to Nigerian pop. It feels like a sub Saharan take-over of a Berlin dance floor.

A testament to the longevity of Maal’s career is his impresario-like ability to align himself with burgeoning underground music trends. By collaborating with the rising star of South African electronica, DJ Spoko, for the ‘Fulani’ remix, Maal’s intentions for the album and tour are clear. Expect glitchy, minimal beats pasted on to pan-African song writing, delivered by a virtuoso 6-piece band.

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Rendez-vous with Lucas Keen for an appointment to meet the little boat shaped lute played across the West African Sahel since the time of Mansa Musa.   Hear the story of the djeli n’goni, get the job description for a griot, and learn where this iconic instrument which is the…

Artists: Baaba Maal , Bassekou Kouyate , Djenba Seck , Lucas Keen , Mansour Seck , Rokia Traoré

Preview: WOMAD Charlton Park 2016 (Malmesbury, 28th – 31st July)

WOMAD UK 2016 edition will also be the 10th on the grounds of Charlton Park, that’ why the organisers are already going all out to celebrate the anniversary… You just have to take a glance at the first name announced for the upcoming 34th edition of the event, which will take…

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Daily Discovery: Baaba Maal The Traveller [trailer]

Artists: Baaba Maal