Wednesday, April 20, 2022

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Salif Keita


Artist:Salif Keita

Song:Cono

Album:Anthology


Salif Keita is known as the Golden Voice of Africa. He is an albino and a member of the royal family of Mali. Like many African musicians, Keita lived in Europe. He was born Aug. 25, 1949 in Djoliba, Mali. He was born to the Keita royal family. But he was cast out and ostracized by his family as albinism is considered to be bad luck in Mandika culture. He decided to get into music and that alienated him even further from his family. Keita moved to Bamako in 1967 and he joined the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. He joined Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux in 1973. They were successful in the late 70s. But due to political unrest, they were forced to move to the Ivory Coast. After the band split up, Keita moved to Paris in 1984. He found there were many Malians living there. Keita signed with Island's Mango label. Cono is from his 1987 debut album Soro. Keita has recorded for Universal his whole career. His recent albums have been on EmArcy. This comp is a good intro to his music. Keita's 1991 album Amen was produced by Joe Zawinul. Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Jeff Ballard and Bill Summers appear on the album. Keita moved back to Mali in 2002 and built his own recording studio in Bamako. After releasing the 2018 album Un Autre Blanc, Keita announced his retirement at his final concert in Fana, Mali. Here's Salif Keita performing Cono in Japan 1990.


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