Sodjan

Makan Badjé Tounkara is a jali, a griot. He is the grandson of the great Djeli Baba Sissoko (1922-2001), who was acknowledged by his peers as the “leader of Malian Jalis” in the 1990s. Badjé has been pursuing a rich career, notably alongside such renowned artists as Salif Keïta, Baba Maal, Ami Koïta, Tata Bambo, Kandia Kouyaté and his aunt Mah Damba, with whom he has recorded two albums. He is also at the origin of an instrumental innovation: he has added three strings to his ngoni, the traditional lute of the jalis.  For these recordings, Badjé has gathered around him Nana Coulibaly (tracks 4 and 7), Gedon Diara (track 7), Adama Diabaté (track 8), Diibi Kanouté (track 5), as well as his wife Fatoumata « Djéliny » Kouyaté (tracks 1, 2, 3 and 7) on vocals. His also sings on track 2. Instrumental support is ensured by Modi Tounkara (four-string ngoni), Yakouba Sissoko (bass lute ngoni ba), Djifili (djembe drum), Modibo Diabaté (flè gourd and krin scraper), and Mamadou Tounkara (tama armpit drum).