Les Ambassadeurs Internationales (feat Salif Keita) torrent

After first breaking into the Malian music scene with the Super Rail Band, Salif Keita left to help form Les Ambassadeurs. The strong Cuban influence in the music (obvious not only in the rhythms, but also in the horn charts of a track like "Kolangoman") helped bring them local fame in the mid-'70s before Keita embarked on a solo career. With some stunning, but laid-back, guitar work from Kante Manfila, this record moves at a wonderful pace, never straining at the leash, but more danceable than 12 albums of funk. Compiled from the band's Malian releases, it offers a good cross-section of what they achieved (however, it's worth noting that "Mousso Gnaleden" was recorded after Keita's departure with a different vocalist), and how they could indulge in a song without it ever being forced. An absolute delight. --Chris Nickson (Amazon.com)

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