The West African country of Mali is a rich breeding ground for music rooted in the griot tradition, the caste of minstrels and storytellers who accompany themselves on the kora (African harp). However, the griot tribe is no longer the only tribe that produces musical scions. Although his parents wished otherwise, Arouna Moussa Coulibaly, with stage name Ben Zabo, chose a music career as a singer
… and guitarist. Zabo belongs to the Bo or Bwa agricultural tribe, known for wearing masks during ceremonies. This is an ethnic minority group living in the eastern region on the border with Burkina Faso. On Ben Zabo's debut album you don't hear a korage pedestal but a solid funky band sound of electric guitars, drums, saxophone and balafon / percussion. Zabo used to like listening to the afrobeat of the Nigerian Fela Kuti, but also to Malian bands like Le Super Biton de Segou and L'Orchestre Kanaga de Mopti. Zabo's lively uptempo music is also meant to dance to during parties in the open air. (SvdP)more
