Djanka

Djanka Diabate — Djanka

You may have noticed my long-running obsession with the funkier, synth-oriented side of West African pop music. I particularly love a Mandingo flavor with a bit of tech and drum machine to it, maybe a dash of electric kora in there. This isn’t for my health, it is because the music sounds sweet and I truly believe pop music of the late 80s and into the 90s is due more appreciation.

When I was traveling in Mali and Burkina Faso I heard popular Mande sounds of this ilk (at times more saccharine, other times straight electric boogaloo) nonstop on the radio, in public transport and pretty much everywhere else. Although so many layers of history have formed in the years since Guinean diva Djanka Diabate (wife of Sekou Bembeya Diabate of Bembeya Jazz National) cut this contemporary journey through 1989 France (where it was recorded) the musical detritus of years and styles past accumulate in our psyche through persistent airplay and repetition, happily haunting the dancefloors of our minds.

 

Programme 1

Malaka

Mounkera

Acoco

 

Programme 2

La Paix

Moyale

Fote

Acoco (Instrumental)

9 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

  • June 10, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    beautiful tape! thanks for sharing!! please vinylize!

  • July 8, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I’m a grateful follower of your blog for over a year now, and you never fail to astonish me with wonderful music.
    This one is specially beautiful, she has a splendid voice, and good rythms combined with modern beat.
    Cheers and please keep it up!

  • July 30, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Does anyone have an idea where to find the lyrics for La Paix ?! Is one of the best music pieces ever made from this time and place !

  • February 6, 2015 at 6:05 am

    Malaka starts getting stuck on a loop at 3:30 unfortunately. Anyone else having this problem? Possible to reupload a fixed version?

  • February 6, 2015 at 10:50 pm

    Yes, the file is corrupted, the CD audio has another sound, but at least completely.
    https://www.mediafire.com/?k1oxbq4vz7s76kp

  • February 8, 2015 at 4:17 am

    Thanks, that’s perfect. Iniké!

  • February 8, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Lyrics anyone ?! <3

  • March 7, 2016 at 2:39 am

    […] en fan de The Cult! También es posible que el hecho que mi primer disco del día haya sido éste (https://awesometapes.com/djanka-diabate-djanka/) haya convertido cualquier estridencia en algo […]

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