Description
Label Review.
2020 album. Real World. Also available on Vinyl.
Our Overview.
Les Amazones d’Afrique the all-female collective of West African musicians, is a creative force that embraces international voices; sweet, strong harmonies that summon the rights of women and girls; and a meltdown of heritage and new gen talent. They were formed in Bamako, Mali, in 2014 by three renowned Malian music stars and social change activists - Mamani Keïta, Oumou Sangaré and Mariam Doumbia - and the collective has since expanded to involve many female artists from across Africa and the diaspora.
While their cause - campaigning for gender equality and eradicating ancestral violence - is worthy enough in itself, their musical creative expression is equally powerful. Richly melodic and far-ranging, it blends pan-African styles and collaborative harmonies withgritty, contemporary pop and the Congotronix-style production of legendary producer Doctor L (aka Liam Farrell).
Their debut album, ‘République Amazone’, featured guest contributions from the likes of Angélique Kidjo and Nigerian singer-songwriter Nneka and caught the attention of President Obama, who included one of the songs in his 20 favourite tracks of 2017. In 2020 they release their follow-up album ‘Amazones Power’, on which familiar voices like Mamani Keïta and Rokia Koné appear alongside a younger generation of singers who represent the exciting new sound of modern Africa.
Tracklisting: Heavy (Niariu, Boy-Fall, Jon Grace) / Love (Mamani Keita) / Smile (Niariu & Ami Yerewolo) / Queens (Rokia Kon.) / Smooth (Mamani Keita) / Dreams (Rokia Kon.) / Timbuktu (Mamani Keita & Amadou Demb.l.) / Red (Rokia Kon.) / Rebels (Nacera Ouali Mesbah) / Dogon (Mamani Keita & Amadou Demb.l.) / Fights (Fafa Ruffino) / Sisters (Kandy Guira) / Power