Doumbia Nahawa: La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol. 1

Nahawa Doumbia is one of Malis defining vocalists of the last four decades. Her work journeys through progressive stages of musical evolution and sonic vogues making it hard to summarize or even comprehend. Shes played a part in popular music since the late 70s as her version of Wassoulou music developed from vocals-and-guitar duo into full-scale touring bands packing a bombastic electrified punch. As Doumbia puts it My music has changed multiple times to this day... The more I progressed in my musical career the more instruments I have had accompany my songs. Awesome Tapes From Africa will release Doumbias debut recording La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 1 this August building on the success of the labels first-ever reissue back in 2011 Doumbias La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 3. This seminal classic which is still sought-after in Mali today will finally be available for the first time internationally with remastered audio on LP CD Tape and Digital formats. The recording looks back to the beginning of Doumbias long career when she was performing in a simple voice and acoustic guitar format. This was before she added bass and drums and finally the electric guitar and synths for which she became known more recently. Released in 1981 by the excellent Cte dIvoire-based AS Records the singer was barely 20 years old when it was recorded. She was accompanied by her future husband NGou Bagayoko on acoustic guitar whose style echoes the nimble runs of traditional kamele ngoni players. The stark simplicity of this highly intimate recording- the audible room acoustics the occasionally in-the-red vocals-do not obscure the mature strength of her voice. On Vol 1 Doumbia performs her songs with the tenacity and hunger of a young artist on the cusp. When I think about it first I am reminded of how long ago it was. Its one of the albums that I love most because it reminds me of my youth. I was so young and my voice was light and joyful. I still listen to some of those songs today. I am really proud of that first album because thats where it all began. It shows me how far Ive come in my personal and artistic life it gives me the courage I need to keep going forward and makes me appreciate all the years of dedication and hard work I put into my musical career. These early songs are rhythmically built around Bagayokos sensitive guitar as his fingers brush the fretboard and gently outline the melodies. Although this record predates the singers use of percussion the driving skeletal didadi rhythm is apparent in the songs. Later albums like Vol 3 further prioritize her hometown didadi beat and the result made her famous.

1.1 Kourouni
1.2 Tou Dibile
1.3 Tjefouroule
1.4 Djankonia
1.5 Nianimanjougou
1.6 Sokono Woulouni


H 0.10
W 11.78
L 12.38