“I keep coming back to Mali through everything that’s happened. At times it has felt odd in Bamako, with the problems in the north, but I’m just trying to personally establish dialogue with the people in this country and the music.”
That was Damon Albarn speaking to The Observer last month after revealing his ongoing African Express project had restarted in Mali with the likes of Brian Eno and members of Django Django, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Metronomy all on board along side local musicians.
And those recording sessions have now been collected into the album ‘Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes‘, which is set for release digitally on December 9th, with a physical version following next year.
‘Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes’ tracklist:
‘Fantainfalla Toyi Bolo’ – Adama Koita (produced by Two Inch Punch)
‘Soubour’ – Songhoy Blues (produced by Nick Zinner and Remi Kabaka)
‘Season Change’ – Ghostpoet featuring Doucoura (produced by Two Inch Punch and Damon Albarn)
‘Dougoudé Sarrafo’ – Bijou (produced by Damon Albarn)
‘Bouramsy’ – Lil Silva (produced by Lil Silva)
‘Rapou Kanou’ – Talbi (produced by Two Inch Punch)
‘Yamore’ – Gambari featuring Kankou Kouyaté (produced by Damon Albarn)
‘Chanson Denko Tapestry’ – Yacouba Sissoko Band (produced by Brian Eno)
‘Deni Kelen Be Koko’ – Lobi Traoré Band (produced by David Maclean)
‘Farafina’ – Moussa Traoré (produced by Damon Albarn)
‘Latégué’ – Tiemoko Sogodogo (produced by Brian Eno)