In the Heart of the Moon
Encyclopedia
In the Heart of the Moon is a 2005 record by Mali
an musicians Ali Farka Touré
on the guitar and providing vocals and Toumani Diabaté
on the kora
. The album was recorded in the "Toit de Bamako" conference room on the top floor of the Hotel Mandé overlooking the Niger River
in Bamako
, Mali. It is the first in a three-part series released on World Circuit Records
entitled "The Hotel Mandé Sessions" followed by Savane
and Boulevard de l'Independence. The album's title is derived from Touré's own more lengthy descriptive title for the recording session; "A very important meeting in the realm at the heart of the moon."
The album includes twelve tracks, based mostly on Songhai traditions of the north of Mali
and the Bambara traditions of southern Mali and neighboring Guinea
, harking back to the period immediately before independence. The album was recorded without rehearsals; both musicians claimed that the music flowed naturally and effortlessly, Touré being long acquainted with Diabaté's family and musical traditions. Despite their mutual admiration the musicians had previously only performed a total of three hours together over fifteen years.
* Traditional arrangement
. Additionally, Diabaté wanted to express his appreciation for Touré, from whom he had learned a great deal. The recording session gave Diabaté the opporutinity to learn directly from Touré, who he described as "one of the great, great, great musicians" and "a prophet of the blues."
). In February of the same year the album won the Best Traditional World Album at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards
. Diabaté was present at the ceremony to accept the award for both musicians. Farka was unable to personally accept the award as he died before the award could be brought to him by the albums producer, Nick Gold.
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
an musicians Ali Farka Touré
Ali Farka Touré
Ali Ibrahim “Farka” Touré was a Malian singer and guitarist, and one of the African continent’s most internationally renowned musicians. His music is widely regarded as representing a point of intersection of traditional Malian music and its North American cousin, the blues...
on the guitar and providing vocals and Toumani Diabaté
Toumani Diabaté
Toumani Diabaté is a Malian kora player. In addition to performing the traditional music of Mali, he has also been involved in cross-cultural collaborations with flamenco, blues, jazz, and other international styles.-Biography:...
on the kora
Kora (instrument)
The kora is a 21-string bridge-harp used extensively in West Africa.-Description:A kora is built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator, and has a notched bridge. It does not fit well into any one category of western instruments and would have to be...
. The album was recorded in the "Toit de Bamako" conference room on the top floor of the Hotel Mandé overlooking the Niger River
Niger River
The Niger River is the principal river of western Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in southeastern Guinea...
in Bamako
Bamako
Bamako is the capital of Mali and its largest city with a population of 1.8 million . Currently, it is estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth fastest in the world...
, Mali. It is the first in a three-part series released on World Circuit Records
World Circuit (record label)
World Circuit is a world-music record label that specializes in Cuban and West African recording artists, among other international music stars. World Circuit celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006 by releasing World Circuit Presents..., a 2-disc retrospective compilation album...
entitled "The Hotel Mandé Sessions" followed by Savane
Savane (album)
Savane is the final solo album by Malian musician Ali Farka Touré. It is the third and final part of the Hôtel Mandé Sessions, featuring Touré and Toumani Diabaté, recorded by World Circuit head Nick Gold...
and Boulevard de l'Independence. The album's title is derived from Touré's own more lengthy descriptive title for the recording session; "A very important meeting in the realm at the heart of the moon."
The album includes twelve tracks, based mostly on Songhai traditions of the north of Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
and the Bambara traditions of southern Mali and neighboring Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
, harking back to the period immediately before independence. The album was recorded without rehearsals; both musicians claimed that the music flowed naturally and effortlessly, Touré being long acquainted with Diabaté's family and musical traditions. Despite their mutual admiration the musicians had previously only performed a total of three hours together over fifteen years.
Track listing
Monsieur le Maire de Niafunké
The fourth track on the album, Monsieur le Maire de Niafunké, was dedicated to Touré by Diabaté to congratulate the fact that shortly before the album was recorded Touré was made mayor of NiafunkéNiafunké
- External links :* Short album description and sample of Tulumba....
. Additionally, Diabaté wanted to express his appreciation for Touré, from whom he had learned a great deal. The recording session gave Diabaté the opporutinity to learn directly from Touré, who he described as "one of the great, great, great musicians" and "a prophet of the blues."
Musicians
- Ali Farka TouréAli Farka TouréAli Ibrahim “Farka” Touré was a Malian singer and guitarist, and one of the African continent’s most internationally renowned musicians. His music is widely regarded as representing a point of intersection of traditional Malian music and its North American cousin, the blues...
- guitar, vocal ( tracks 1, 7) - Toumani DiabatéToumani DiabatéToumani Diabaté is a Malian kora player. In addition to performing the traditional music of Mali, he has also been involved in cross-cultural collaborations with flamenco, blues, jazz, and other international styles.-Biography:...
- koraKoraKora may refer to:* Kora , a stringed musical instrument of West African origin* Kora , a New Zealand reggae band** Kora , Kora album released in 2007* Kora , a type of pilgrimage in the Buddhist tradition... - Ry CooderRy CooderRyland Peter "Ry" Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.His solo work has been eclectic, encompassing...
- Kawai pianoKawaiThe of Japan is best known for its grand and upright pianos, electronic keyboards and electronic synthesizers. The company was established in August 1927, and has its headquarters in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.-Pianos:...
(tracks 3,7), Ripley guitarKramer GuitarsKramer Guitars is an American manufacturer of electric guitars and basses. Kramer produced aluminum-necked electric guitars and basses in the 1970s and wooden-necked guitars catering to hard rock and heavy metal musicians in the 1980s; Kramer is currently a division of Gibson Guitar Corporation...
(track 12) - Sekou Kanté - bass guitar (tracks 7,8,9)
- Orlando "Cachaíto" López - bass (tracks 11,12)
- Joachim Cooder - percussion (tracks 3,5,11)
- Olalekan Babalola - percussion (tracks 4,11)
- James ThompsonJames ThompsonJames Thompson is the name of:* James Thompson , Catholic priest hanged under Elizabeth I*James Thompson , who produced one of the first maps of York...
- shaker (track 5)
International Accolades
In 2006 the album was nominated for the Album of the Year Award in the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music but lost out to another Malian duo (Amadou and Mariam, with Dimanche à BamakoDimanche à Bamako
Dimanche à Bamako is the fourth album by Malian duo Amadou & Mariam featuring, and produced by, French singer Manu Chao. It was released on the Nonesuch Records label on 2 August 2005....
). In February of the same year the album won the Best Traditional World Album at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards
Grammy Awards of 2006
The 48th Annual Grammy Awards took place on February 8, 2006 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Irish rock band U2 were the big winners, winning five awards including Album of the Year. Mariah Carey, John Legend, and Kanye West each were nominated for eight awards and won three,...
. Diabaté was present at the ceremony to accept the award for both musicians. Farka was unable to personally accept the award as he died before the award could be brought to him by the albums producer, Nick Gold.