Na Hawa Doumbia
(Awesome Tapes From Africa)
The debut release from the archivist blog and DJ collective Awesome Tapes From Africa is a full spectrum re-release (CD, LP, download and even cassette) of a 1982 record by the Mali-based singer and purveyor of Wassoulou music, Na Hawa Doumbia. La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol. 3, an early release from a career that has now spanned several decades, features four entrancing, hypnotic, largely acoustic numbers played by a stripped down combo of guitar, piano, the traditional kamelen n'goni and percussion.
Doumbia sings in a lovely, high pitched but full voice packed with emotion and nuance. The music and voice essentially work as one, rolling on and on on the ten minute + opener, "Koro Dia," and the second number, "Dan Te Dinya La." "Danaya" slows things down to a stately, pastoral groove, before the shimmering "Kungo Sogoni" sends us off into the sublime. I have no idea what she is addressing specifically in these songs, but the emotion and feeling is right there for everyone to see and hear. You get the sense her life story is right here in the music, a biography in sound and emotion.
An auspicious start for a new label, La Grande... puts Awesome Tapes From Africa in the drivers seat with their first release. We expect more greatness from them.
DOWNLOAD: "Koro Dia," "Kungi Sogoni," 2 more. CARL HANNI
