I'm afraid this post may add some confusion. This Sekouba Diabaté is not from Guinea, like Bambino or Bembeya (a.k.a. 'Diamond Fingers'), but from Mali. Apart from this fact, I know nothing about this artist.
Well, that's not really true. I know he has made a wonderful cassette with four beautiful tracks to sooth the nerves of the nervous and relax the stressed, but also to console the worried and lift up the depressed. The ingredients of this cassette are simple: ngoni, guitar, a female chorus and a male singer. The magic is in the execution.
The choice of repertoire is not spectacular, with versions of the Mandé epics "Soundiata", "Djandjon", "Douga" and "Balla Kamale". The latter of these songs suggests that this artist may be connected to the Kela Diabaté's (Siramori and family). But I am just guessing....
I have had this cassette nearly two decades, and its 'posé' rhythms have helped me through some rough patches.
Super Sound SS 65
