Every so often, an album comes along that reminds us why we are so moved by song: the melody, the rhythm, and the message. Putumayo has presented a variety of world music CDs, but African music has been the consistent heart and soul of its offerings. Putumayo World Music is pleased to present Acoustic Africa, a captivating collection showcasing some of Africa’s greatest singer-songwriters in beautifully stripped down displays of acoustic mastery. These artists are helping to spearhead an acoustic revolution in stark contrast to the studio-based, synthesized dance music that became the standard for African pop-stars of the 1980’s and 90’s. On Acoustic Africa, you’ll discover gentle folk songs from Senegal, a protest song from South Africa, blues-tinged ballads from Mali and much more.
Watch the video: Habib performing the song "Wassiye" live in Germany
One of Africa's most exciting performers, Habib Koité plays music that reflects the diverse musical traditions of his Malian homeland while remaining connected to his cosmopolitan life experiences. Accompanied by his band Bamada, Koité has released a number of successful and critically acclaimed albums, including Ma Ya and Baro on Putumayo. Over the past 10 years, Habib and his band have performed more than 600 concerts for adoring audiences in far-flung locations such as Japan, Australia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan. With their engaging stage presence and expert musicianship, Habib Koité and Bamada have earned a spot in the upper echelon of African artists.
A portion of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Mercy Corpsin support of their efforts to help AIDS victims and the victims of the civil war in Darfur, and to Oxfam Americaand Oxfam Novib’s “Make Trade Fair” campaign to improve trade conditions for African countries.
