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Baaba Maal
(Senegal)
Biography
Baaba Maal has become one of the most important singers from Senegal. His music is based on the traditions of the
Haalpulaar from the north of Senegal, and distinguishes itself from the mbalax music by the Wolof, predominant
in Senegalese music.
Baaba Maal started with an acoustic ensemble, halfway the 1980s he created his own band, Daande Lenol. With the success of Youssou N'Dour in mind, Baaba tried to conquer international music markets through mixing different styles with his own music, in which he, generally speaking, succeeded quite well.
Parallel to the international releases, Maal continues to record the more traditional and acoustic albums, following his all-time classic album « Djam Leelii », recorded with Mansour Seck. Another faithful companion was kora master Kaouding (or Kawding) Cissoko who passed away on 17th July 2003 at age of 38, after an acute attack of tuberculosis.
In recent years, his album production slowed down, for various reasons, not the least because of his humanitarian activities. Fortunately, in late 2007, a new album came out, followed in 2008 by a live album that was released as a limited LP edition and as a digital download only. Included are live versions of a few of the finest songs in Maal's work plus three collectors' items – a song called « Iyango » which has never been released before, together with « Farba », a tune from an Africa-only cassette release, and « Bamba ».
Baaba Maal started with an acoustic ensemble, halfway the 1980s he created his own band, Daande Lenol. With the success of Youssou N'Dour in mind, Baaba tried to conquer international music markets through mixing different styles with his own music, in which he, generally speaking, succeeded quite well.
Parallel to the international releases, Maal continues to record the more traditional and acoustic albums, following his all-time classic album « Djam Leelii », recorded with Mansour Seck. Another faithful companion was kora master Kaouding (or Kawding) Cissoko who passed away on 17th July 2003 at age of 38, after an acute attack of tuberculosis.
In recent years, his album production slowed down, for various reasons, not the least because of his humanitarian activities. Fortunately, in late 2007, a new album came out, followed in 2008 by a live album that was released as a limited LP edition and as a digital download only. Included are live versions of a few of the finest songs in Maal's work plus three collectors' items – a song called « Iyango » which has never been released before, together with « Farba », a tune from an Africa-only cassette release, and « Bamba ».
Baaba Maal
• Daande Lenol:
Baaba Maal lead vocals, guitar
Mansour Seck guitar, backing vocals
Sidiki Kouyaté (b. 27-02-1959, † 14-11-2014) bass
Hilaire F.J. Chaby-Hary keyboards
Massamba Diop tama (talking drum)
Assane Ndoye Cissé guitar
Bada Seck percussion
Kaouding (Kawding) Cissoko (b. 2-1-1964, † 17-07-2003) kora
Born: 12 November 1953 in Podor, North Senegal
Style: Yela, Mbalax, Acoustic
Discography
Baaba Maal lead vocals, guitar
Mansour Seck guitar, backing vocals
Sidiki Kouyaté (b. 27-02-1959, † 14-11-2014) bass
Hilaire F.J. Chaby-Hary keyboards
Massamba Diop tama (talking drum)
Assane Ndoye Cissé guitar
Bada Seck percussion
Kaouding (Kawding) Cissoko (b. 2-1-1964, † 17-07-2003) kora
Born: 12 November 1953 in Podor, North Senegal
Style: Yela, Mbalax, Acoustic
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Being | 2023 | Marathon Artists | CD |
| The Traveller | 2015 | Palm / Marathon Artists | CD |
| African Soul Revolutionary | 2010 | Nascente NSDCD 019 | 2CD compilation |
| Television | 2009 | Palm Pictures PALMCD2140 | |
| On the Road "Edition Bootleg" Live Acoustic | 2008 | Palm Pictures | Numbered limited edition (300 pressed only) 12" vinyl album |
| Baaba Maal CD & DVD | 2005 | Palm World Voices | CD & DVD |
| The Best of the Early Years | 2003 | Wrasse Records WRASS 093 | Compilation Album |
| Missing You... Mi Yeewnii | 2001 | Palm Pictures PALMCD 2067-2 | |
| Jombaajo | 1999? | Sonodisc CDS 7059 | Collection of older "African" Recordings |
| Live at Royal Festival Hall | 1999 | Palm Pictures PALMCD 2014-2 | Featuring Ernest Ranglin |
| Nomad Soul | 1998 | Palm Pictures PALMCD 2002-2 | |
| Firin' in Fouta | 1994 | Mango | |
| Lam Toro | 1992 | Mango | Rereleased in the US by Palm Pictures |
| Baayo | 1991 | Mango | Rereleased in the US by Palm Pictures in 2003 |
| Taara | 1989 | Syllart 38774-2 | |
| Wango | 1987 | Syllart SYL 8348 | |
| Albums with Mansour Seck: | |||
| Djam Leelii | 1998 | Yoff CD001 | Re-release of Rogue Records album (with 3 bonustracks) |
| Djam Leelii | 1989 | Rogue Records FMSL 2014 | 1984-recordings |
| African Releases (a selection only): | |||
| Souvenir 3 | 2013 | Baaba Maal | Digital download |
| Souvenir 2 | 2011 | Baaba Maal | Digital download |
| Souvenir 1 | 20?? | Baaba Maal | Digital download |
| International Riche Afrique !!!, vol.2 | 20?? | Baaba Maal | Digital download |
| International Riche Afrique !!! | 2007 | Baaba Maal | |
| Kettode & Sangoul | 2006 | Gadiaga | CD compilation of two previously released cassettes (Sangoul, 2005) |
| L'Epopée d'El Hadj Omar Taal | 1999 | Le Ndiambour | Cassette (in 2013 also released as download) |
Sources
baabamaal.tv/biography (outdated link, retrieved January 2016)
Toshiya Endo's African music discography for a comprehensive list of all albums, incl. local cassettes.
baabamaal.tv/biography (outdated link, retrieved January 2016)
Toshiya Endo's African music discography for a comprehensive list of all albums, incl. local cassettes.
Page added August 1998