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Etoiles de Boulbinet
(Guinea)
Biography
Les Etoiles de Boulbinet was the first group that introduced a new wave in semi-traditional
music in Guinea. Although not very well-known yet outside of the country, they are loved among Guineans for their music with
lots of percussion and appealing lyrics in French and Sousou. The music is based on the folkore mainly from the coastal
region.
Under the leadership of Sékou Yansané 'Papa Yan's', they recorded a first album «Wâa Mali » in 1997 in Abidjan. It was an instant success. Established in a neighbourhood "Petit Port" of Boulbinet, in the Kaloum municipality of the capital Conakry, they released several cassettes since, « Garafiri Barage » in 2000, and « Controlez » in 2004, produced by Boncana Maiga. It was said that this third album would come out on CD, but this has not been realised.
In recent years, competing bands have been created, the most famous being Les Espoirs de Coronthie, but in 2007, a new Boulbinet album was released to accompany their 10 years of existence.
The band discontinued a few years later, but efforts were made in 2016 to reconcile. Unfortunately, the death of manager Papa Yan's didn't help a revival. Singer M'Pandy Abdoul Karim Camara then tried to continue to defend the colors of les Etoiles de Boulbinet.
Under the leadership of Sékou Yansané 'Papa Yan's', they recorded a first album «Wâa Mali » in 1997 in Abidjan. It was an instant success. Established in a neighbourhood "Petit Port" of Boulbinet, in the Kaloum municipality of the capital Conakry, they released several cassettes since, « Garafiri Barage » in 2000, and « Controlez » in 2004, produced by Boncana Maiga. It was said that this third album would come out on CD, but this has not been realised.
In recent years, competing bands have been created, the most famous being Les Espoirs de Coronthie, but in 2007, a new Boulbinet album was released to accompany their 10 years of existence.
The band discontinued a few years later, but efforts were made in 2016 to reconcile. Unfortunately, the death of manager Papa Yan's didn't help a revival. Singer M'Pandy Abdoul Karim Camara then tried to continue to defend the colors of les Etoiles de Boulbinet.
Les Etoiles de Boulbinet
Photo: courtesy Lara Gonzalez
Photo: courtesy Lara Gonzalez
Musicians on the Wâa Mali album:
Abdoul Karim Camara (b. 1968), Mohamed Lamine Camara (died 2017), Bangaly Sylla & Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (lead vocals);
Abdoul Karim Soumah (gongoma);
Sango Bangoura (died 2005) (bolon);
Soriba Camara (kirindji);
Abdoul Karim Camara (b. 1968), Mohamed Lamine Camara (died 2017), Bangaly Sylla & Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (lead vocals);
Abdoul Karim Soumah (gongoma);
Sango Bangoura (died 2005) (bolon);
Soriba Camara (kirindji);
Kaba Kouyaté (balafon);
Sarati Diabaté, Rakesh Touré, Lasso Diabaté (guitar);
Abdoul Karim Camara (djembé);
Cheick Smith Cherif, Mohamed Lamine Camara (harmonica).
Created: 1997, in Conakry, Guinea
Style: semi-acoustic folkoric music
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| 10 ans Chronos | 2007 | TWS | Digital release 2011 |
| Controlez | 2004 | Amacif Productions BGDA 03/2004 | Cassette |
| Garafiri Barage | 2000 | Gris Gris Production | Cassette |
| Wâa Mali | 1997 | DD United DDU 97 | Cassette |
Sources
https://www.afroguinee.com/guinee-apres-9-ans-les-etoiles-de-boulbinet-se-reconcilient/
https://www.afroguinee.com/guinee-apres-9-ans-les-etoiles-de-boulbinet-se-reconcilient/
Page added December 2001