so yes, i've been quiet for a little while. it's been hectic and i usually get a bit quiet in november because of my birthday. and although i try not to, i always end up thinking about what i've accomplished and what i still want to accomplish. and sometimes i get a bit ambitious.
what sound-tracks this reflective process?
over the last week or so i've been plugged into a mix by louie 'lou' gorbea. especially one track by 33-year old malian rokia traoré (as remixed by timmy regisford and quentin harris).
besides hypnotizing me with her voice, traoré - who happens to be born the same year as me - has accomplished a lot. she has pushed the boundaries of malian traditional music by combining distinct traditions to come up with her own signature sound. she's defied her 'place' as a malian noble woman by performing. she's won BBC music awards. and she's performed in the presence of ali farka touré, salif keïta, youssou n'dour, manu dibango, khaled, baaba maal, peter gabriel, gilberto gil, and neneh cherry. to name a few.
98 is a beautiful, lush track featuring multilayered african drums, gorgeous west african string arrangements, all laid up against a classic house key. timmy regisford and quentin harris are outstanding. the jewel of this track, though, is traoré's voice. soft and buttery, but with so much soul. zero pretentiousness. true: you never really know exactly what she's singing about. but really, with a voice like her's, who cares.
all i can say is... 1974 was a good year.
without further ado, rokia traore - mancipera (quentin harris & timmy regisford mix):
rokia's unmixed music is incredible. check it out - visit rokia traoré's official website: www.rokiatraoré.net
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