One of the best African live-bands of this moment is led by Bassekou Kouyaté, who blows away festival audiences all over the world with the ngoni. He makes this small string instrument sound as big as an electric guitar, by using rock effects such as distortion and wah-wah. Traditionally based songs from Mali, sung by his wife Amy Secko, sound sharp and contemporary as backed by a powerfully grooving band with four ngoni’s and percussion. The most recent albums Jama Ko and Ba Power achieved great international success.

‘Kouyaté is the Jimi Hendrix of the afro-rock-with-lute’ (OOR)

Bassekou Kouyate ngoni, Aminata Sacko vocals, Abou Sissoko ngoni medium, Mamadou Kouyate bas ngoni, Mahamadou Tounkara yabara/tama (percussion), Moctar Kouyate kalebas