Nangape

Diallo, Yaya
Onzou Records
World | Mar 2003

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2003-04-05
YAYA DIALLO - "Nangapè"
Onzou, 1980

First things first: this is NOT the guitar player Alpha Yaya Diallo. Different guy, okay? This Yaya Diallo is a Malian percussionist living in Canada. In these overdubbed duo recordings with flautist Sylvain Leroux (who can also be heard on the recent "Fula Flute" release), Diallo explores the tradition of music as a healing art (Nangapè was the name of a musician-sorcerer in Diallo's home village of Fienso). So this is elemental stuff: polyrhythmic drums, some balafon (marimba) patterns and flute riffs in a long, hypnotic weave. Beautiful, exciting, captivating.

Fo's Picks: 1, 3, 5

1. 12:32 - Alternately relaxing and intense. Lots of balafon starting in 3rd minute, flute provides nice support (pretty flute overdubs throughout second half)
2. 04:27 - Quick village drums, incessant and rolling.
3. 07:39 - Water sounds, meditative flute, then strong balafon patterns. Meant to represent the onrushing flow of time.
4. 03:59 - Another drums-only interlude, with a lopsided rhythm
5. 05:57 - Storytelling song: a child seeks wisdom from the musician-sorcerer Nangapè, who tells him that struggle is an essential part of life. Good mix of drums, balafon and flute.

[Fo] - 3/22/03

Recent airplay

Ivoirien
Morning GloryMay 17, 2003
Nangape
No Cover, No MinimumApr 29, 2003
Nangape
Spherical SoundsApr 12, 2003
Ivoirien
Outeme
No Cover, No Mimimum: SUBApr 01, 2003
Wassoulou
Morning GloryMar 29, 2003

Charting

2003-03-24 — 2003-05-26 Reggae/World
Week EndingAirplays
May 18 1
May 4 1
Apr 13 1
Apr 6 2
Mar 30 1

Track listing

1. Lobi a La Yaya
2. Ivoirien
3. Outeme
4. Wassoulou
5. Nangape