Exciting, almost psychedelic songs by celebrated musicians and singers from Mali who conjure up the lively atmosphere of the capital Bamako. ‘Very powerful and emotive’ (Songlines).

BKO is the international abbreviation for Bamako, the capital of Mali and a lively city for music until the civil war broke out in 2012. In these troublesome times the BKO Quintet was founded by prominent Malian musicians, each of whom are well-known from the bands of among others Oumou Sangaré and Salif Keita.

As a symbolic gesture of reconciliation the group brings together two different vocal styles Fassara Sacko represents the rural griot tradition and Nfaly Diakité the donso, from the urban nightclubs. The result is exciting, almost psychedelic songs with traditional acoustic as well as electrically amplified instruments.

‘Uniquely they pair two traditional Malian instruments: the djelingoni and donsongoni – the guitar of the griots and the kora-like harp-lute of the Bamana hunters… What appears to be a small acoustic group creates a remarkably full sound and in Nfaly Diakité and Fassara Sacko they have two very powerful and emotive lead vocalists’ (Songlines)

The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 til 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).

(MALI)
1 SET
Fassara Sacko, Dunun Adama Coulibaly zang, Donsongoni Abdoulaye Koné ngoni, Ibrahima Sarr djembe/zang, Aymeric Krol drums/zang