Amadou & Mariam Merge Custom with Innovation

On the 2024 Paralympic Closing Ceremony in Paris, the occasion producers needed to proceed celebrating all issues French tradition. Thus, performances from regional singers and an epic multi-DJ set underneath the guiding mild of the legendary Jean-Michel Jarre had been included.

But partway by, two blind musicians from Mali took the stage, and Amadou & Mariam, the desert blues specialists who’ve crossed world boundaries with their sound a number of occasions over, carried out the Serge Gainsbourg basic “Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M’en Vais” in entrance of a string quartet. It was a second when the duo took on the work of a licensed icon whereas concurrently signaling their place in an amazing musical lineage.

Whereas their early recordings usually discovered Mariam Doumbia’s emotive voice hovering over Amadou Bagayoko’s brittle and shifting guitar traces, they’ve since branched out their sound to include every thing from European dance music to Western indie rock. Their distinctive and approachable tackle Tishoumaren has allowed them to maintain themselves within the trade for over 35 years. Simply whenever you assume they may take a while off to rejoice with a brand new best hits album, in addition they introduced they’ve a model new full-length proper across the nook.

La Vie Est Belle isn’t Amadou & Mariam’s first best hits assortment, however it’s their first correct one since 2009’s The Magic Couple: The Better of Amadou & Mariam 1997–2002. Since 2002, they’ve been nominated for a Grammy, scored a High 40 hit in France, and have collaborated with everybody from Santigold to Sofi Tukker. A number of of those collaborations, like their TV on the Radio that includes monitor “Wily Kataso” off of their wonderful 2012 full-length Folila, are to be discovered right here, though, in line with the duo, selecting which songs to maintain and which of them to dismiss was part of the problem.

“Selecting the tracks for La Vie Est Belle was an thrilling but difficult journey!” exclaim the pair when chatting with PopMatters. “We aimed to stability outdated favorites like ‘Wily Kataso’ with new materials like ‘Mogolu’ and ‘La Vie Est Belle’ and remixes, specializing in songs that spotlight our evolution and themes of affection, pleasure, and resilience. Some laborious cuts had been vital since we have now many beloved songs, however we needed to create a cohesive narrative for the previous years of our musical profession.”

Whereas this album covers a lot of their materials after they began seeing industrial success in Europe, the file wasn’t explicitly designed to be a easy “Newbie’s Information” to their lengthy and various discography.

“La Vie Est Belle was certainly created with a broader function in thoughts,” Amadou & Mariam be aware. “We needed to place collectively probably the most related songs from the final 20 years. By together with basic tracks just like the Eclipse Model of ‘Je Pense à Toi’, we aimed to showcase the evolution of our music and the journey we’ve taken through the years. We wish listeners to really feel the essence of our music—the enjoyment, the struggles, and the cultural richness that defines us.”

Whereas some inclusions had been anticipated—from the Damon Albarn-produced “Sabali” off of 2008’s Welcome to Mali to their breakthrough hit “Sénégal Quick Meals” with an help from Manu Chou — La Vie Est Belle dares with some sensible remixes in addition to brand-new materials, together with lead single “Mogolu”, which reunites Amadou & Mariam with Chou after a number of years aside.

“Working with Manu Chao once more was an thrilling alternative, and we invited him to hitch on a jam in Barcelona,” the duo clarify. “Whereas we’ve collaborated on many initiatives prior to now, this music represents a recent expression of our musical connection. It completely suits the vibe we needed; nevertheless, it was not conceived for the compilation. We’re thrilled to incorporate it as a part of this particular assortment!”

Whereas a number of the songs collected listed here are almost 20 years outdated, the compilation isn’t offered in chronological order (“We targeted on songs that flowed properly collectively and captured the spirit of our journey,” Amadou & Mariam make clear) however was as an alternative sequenced to offer the file a “pure stream.” But, by together with so many tracks from their again catalog, one has to marvel how usually the group listens to their outdated full-lengths.

“This can be a very energetic a part of the inventive course of,” they admit. “We don’t hearken to our data straight by fairly often, however after we do, it’s a particular expertise. It’s a option to reconnect with our music and replicate on how our sound has developed.“

“It’s fascinating to listen to how our voices and taking part in have developed through the years,” notes Bagayoko. “My voice has matured, gaining extra depth and emotion, whereas Mariam’s vocals proceed to shine together with her distinctive power and heat.”

So think about releasing this new compilation on the very same day because the Paralympic Closing Ceremony they had been acting at. Per Amadou & Mariam, such a coincidence was kismet.

“Certainly, the timing of releasing La Vie Est Belle alongside the Paralympic closing ceremony felt like destiny!” the duo exclaims. “Performing Serge Gainsbourg’s legendary music in entrance of a world viewers was an unbelievable honor for us. The concept got here from the producers, who needed to pay homage to French music whereas additionally showcasing our distinctive fashion. We imagine that music transcends boundaries. It was a celebration of inclusion, resilience, and the ability of music to unite us all. Being in France and connecting with the viewers in such a big setting made it actually particular for us.”

But regardless of being torch carriers of such a fantastic musical custom, Amadou & Mariam’s ears stay firmly to the bottom, holding an ear out for present developments and rising voices. That is partly why their collaboration with Somali rapper Okay’naan additionally seems on La Vie Est Belle.

“We take pleasure in quite a lot of music at house and love listening to the radio!” the duo inform us. “We like artists like Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Fatoumata Diawara, and nice classics like Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmour, in addition to Cuban music. We recognize all types and sorts of artists, from conventional Malian musicians to modern sounds.”

In order that begs the query: Will any of those new types discover their approach into Amadou & Mariam’s new full-length, persevering with the more and more dancey path their data have taken?

“Our new album will discover recent sounds whereas staying true to our roots,” hints Bagayoko. “It should mix quite a lot of influences, together with conventional Malian music and blues, and we are going to for positive maintain our essence of experimenting with new rhythms. We’re hopeful we are going to share some new music very quickly! We are able to’t wait for everybody to listen to it!”

After having offered their music to a world viewers so just lately, on high of the compilation launched, it is sufficient to make one get wistful, which is why even with a brand new album on the best way, Amadou & Mariam had been requested to take inventory of their excessive factors and low factors all the identical.

“Wanting again on my profession, I wouldn’t say I’ve any main regrets,” Bagayoko admits. “Each expertise has contributed to our progress as an artist and as an individual. There have been challenges, however they’ve taught us priceless classes and formed our music. As for our proudest accomplishment, I might say it’s the power to attach with folks by our music. Sharing our Malian tradition with a world viewers and seeing how our songs resonate throughout totally different cultures is extremely fulfilling.”