CD: Lam Toro

If you can only give it a four-song sample, try:

1. Hamady Boiro (Yelle)

2. Daande Lenol

4. Ndelorel

7. Daniibe

Of the Baaba Maal CD's I've heard, this is the one I bought for gifts.

(See Eric Porcher's 2006 Greeting for more about (2.) Daande Lenol.

If you have a good internet connection you can hear this entire song for free, streaming online at the BaabaMaal MySpace page.  Just look for the song Daande Lenol at:

http://www.myspace.com/baabamaal
 

I cannot verify that this MySpace page is authorized by Baaba Maal, although I am attempting to do so. 

Baaba Maal's website is, http://www.baabamaal.tv/

Afro-beat

Baaba Maal is partly classified in that.  I like the term.  Afro-funk.  What could be better?

Much of Maal's music is energetic, bright and danceable.  He also sings gentle songs that are serious, soulful and inspired.

Good funk in Lam Toro, and plenty of gentle stretching, one culture to another.

Recent news article about Baaba Maal
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/06/30/the_sound_of_senegaland_a_cry_for_africa/

I saw Baaba Maal's concert in Victoria, Canada this summer (2006) and it was magical.  A musical feast with colourful delights.  The man is a musical master. 

I was, however, confused at first, and then disappointed, with the shortness of the concert.  No opening band and then quite a short set.

I wondered if he didn't find the energy he was looking for in the crowd - Victoria is pretty laid-back.  It was in a lovely theatre, but we couldn't dance.  We do live on an island though.  Could it be that his intense schedule begged for a quick trip to the ferry that night?  It's possible.

All things considered, if Baaba Maal showed up again next month and said he'd play another short set for the same price, I would complain again, and buy my ticket.

Beautiful people there; percussion in luxurious abundance, colours singing — a musical and visual feast.

I smuggled my camera into the concert, but didn't feel the liberty to use it.  But the sight on the stage screamed to be photographed. 

So far, I'm seeing Baaba Maal with the likes of Miles Davis, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix.

See in him confidence, and musical depth and breadth, when he works with other excellent musicians.

Baaba Maal has an integrity, intensity and depth that seems to accompany devotion. Look for this in Trilok Gurtu, and Bob Marley.  And John Coltrane?  I'm learning about him.

Contact Eric Porcher 

©2006 Eric Porcher
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