Moffou

by Salif Keita

Overview

Sometimes a return to basics can be the best way for an artist to move forward. For Salif Keita, that's definitely the case with Moffou. In spite of using a hefty number of musicians (17, plus six backing vocalists), the sound is very stripped-down. Even the supple electric guitar work of Djeli Moussa Kouyate is mellow and low-key. The real beauty here is Keita's voice, carefully framed and used to maximum effect. High, almost piercing, it's a gorgeous instrument that can ride and transform a melody, whether the lulling gentleness of "Yamore" or the more upbeat -- but never frenzied -- "Iniagige." Overall, it's a record of swaying, seductive gentleness, one perfectly suited to Keita's style. After a few artistic missteps, he needs an album like this to reaffirm who he is and give a renewal to his sound. While it's strongly rooted, it's by no means strictly a Malian roots album; that's never been all of his music by any means. While ineffably West African, there's a lovely light sheen to the production that could only be European, and serves the sound well, smoothing it out but never losing the intimate flavor that's at the album's heart. Moffou reaffirms Keita's star status, and his reputation as one of the world's most glorious voices. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	09/30/2022
Label:	Imports
UPC:	0602448269362

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Salif Keita   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Cesaria Evora   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Kante Manfila   Guitar (Acoustic)
Guy N'Sangue   Bass (Electric)
Hadja Kouyate   Vocals (Background)
Jean-Louis Solans   Cavaquinho
Mino Cinelu   Percussion
Guy Sangue   Bass (Electric)
Benoit Urbain   Accordion
David Aubaile   Flute
Arnaud Devos   Gong,Piano,Marimba,Harmonica,Percussion,Drums (Steel)
Souleymanne Doumbia   Congas
Djeli Moussa Kouyate   Guitar (Electric)
Sayon Sissoko   N'Goni

Technical Credits

Lucille Reyboz   Photography
Patrick Votan   A&R
Jerome Witz   Design,Paintings
Aminata Doumbia   Interpretation
Sekouba Sissoko   Interpretation
Diarra Assitan   Interpretation
Assistan Diarra   Interpretation
Stephanie Caisson   Engineer
Cesaria Evora   Interpretation
Kante Manfila   Arranger,Translation,Interpretation,Recording Arranger
Nayanka Bell   Interpretation
Martin Solveig   Mixing
Hadja Kouyate   Interpretation
Jean Lamoot   Producer
Salif Keita   Composer,Producer,Liner Notes,Interpretation
Daniel Richard   Executive Producer
Freddy Zerbib   Producer
Laurent Bizot   Legal Advisor,Recording Coordinator
Oliza   Interpretation
Arnaud Devos   Zheng
Timour Cardenas   Engineer
Rodolphe Sampieri   Mixing Engineer