Idrissa Soumaoro Dire VINYL LP
Fast Delivery Australia Wide
Trackable Shipping
Currently unavailable
Fast Delivery Australia Wide
Trackable Shipping
Currently unavailable
| Artist: | Idrissa Soumaoro |
| Title: | Idrissa Soumaoro Dire VINYL LP |
| Released: | 22/09/2023 |
|
Please note this release date may be subject to change and also stock arrival can be subject to delays, in particular if this is an overseas release. |
|
| Format: | VINYL LP |
| Country | EU/US |
| Barcode: | 3760347748399 |
| Catalogue number: | MRBML01019 |
| Store location: | pre-order |
| SKU: | WLF15369 |
| Condition: | BRAND NEW & SEALED |
| The items we sell are brand new and unused official releases supplied to us by record companies, unless stated otherwise in the listing. Generally all items are sealed (this will be stated in the listing title). Occasionally we may open an LP to confirm any colour variant. We sometimes sell used items, this will be shown in the listing. | |
'Dire', Idrissa Soumaoro new album, comes as a surprise to Malian and international audiences. Composer, singer, guitarist and master of the kamalen n'goni Idrissa Soumaoro presents here a beautiful collection of songs on his third album, Dire, named in honor of the town where he met his wife and where his first daughter, who is no longer with us, was born.
In 1971, after his studies at the INA in Bamako, Idrissa was transferred to Dire to teach music at the lPEG (Pedagogical Institute of General Education). He was 22 years old when he arrived in Dire. Idrissa has always been nostalgic for this beautiful place in the 333 Saints of Timbuktu region. As Idrissa sings in 'Dire taga' (Going to Dire), the track that opens the album, the city evokes deep emotions for the artist, as if it were a long-lost friend or lover. Celebrating the memory of the city of Dire leads the artist to retrace stories and lived situations that marked and animated him in years gone by: 'I really miss the people, the colleagues, the friends and that period. Despite the time that has flown by, I would ardently wish to see Dire again'. Today, at the difficult time Mali is experiencing, remembering the city of Dire in the 1970s also means for the artist not giving up hope for peace: 'The memory of Dire, a beautiful town in northern Mali, strengthens my hope for peace, union and real independence for the happiness of my people'; as he sings in 'Sababou', 'Without hope, there is no life. Together we will succeed'.
The ten highly original compositions of the album are strongly based upon traditional music of Mali, but Idrissa's life experiences, travels, education, collaborations and personal musical career have led him to compose and perform music with other influences. As Idrissa quotes: 'My inspiration generally comes from the donso n'goni, a Bambara instrument played by and for hunters throughout Mali. This is a pentatonic instrument, similar to the blues exported to the USA by black African slaves. I've also spent so much time playing a variety of music that my music also reflects rumba, salsa (as well as Bamanan blues and a few derivatives: jazz, country, soul, rhythm and blues) etc. I have looked for and hope to have found my own form of expression from these influences'.
Throughout the album, his strong, clear voice sings in French, Bambara and English. It rides seamlessly upon a complex rhythmic sea of distinctly West African stringed instrumentation and percussion with accents of flute and balafon. There are keyboards in a few songs, but these, happily, do not dominate the music as we hear so often in today's music. This album presents the music of a mature artist who has 'been there, done that' and returned to celebrate his country, his roots and his dreams in a flawlessly produced collection of songs of love, reassurance, fatherly advice and hope.
The album already has a long history: it was initiated in 2012 by Marc-Antoine 'Marko' Moreau, former producer and manager of Amadou and Mariam. Moreau had plans to produce the album and invited Idrissa Soumaoro to start recording in Manjul's studio in Bamako. When Moreau suddenly passed away, work on the album was still missing. The pandemic still added time for the production to continue. With the help of Climax Orchestra, arrangements and orchestrations were finalized in France. At the artist's behest, 'Dire' will finally be presented to the public by Mieruba, the independent label based in Segou, the home of the blues in Mali. 'Let's stand together so that Mali can flourish': from conception to production and distribution, this is the message that 'Dire' carries.
| 1 | Dire taga |
| 2 | Kalata |
| 3 | I djidja |
| 4 | Kassi |
| 5 | Bi fourou |
| 1 | N'den tedi |
| 2 | Don't worry |
| 3 | Sally |
| 4 | Sababou |
| 5 | Yele |
Review This Product!
Help other Discrepancy Records users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.
Shop visit
Sent In By: Philip on 16 May 2026While in Melbourne last week had the chance to call in on the shop. Another excellent experience. This makes it 3 total exceptional experiences I have had with Discrepancy Records. Online web site easy and ready to use. On the phone polite and super helpful. In person again super helpful and friendly. 5 Star all the way Thanks guys looking forward to next interaction.
Excellent
Sent In By: Dylan on 30 April 2026I have ordered a few records from Discrepancy, have never had any problems. Good service, great range, great packaging, fair prices - highly recommend
Queen II Deluxe Box Set
Sent In By: Peter on 13 April 2026Received parcel today containing the lp/cd version of the Queen II deluxe box set. Excellent packaging as always with the item being in perfect condition. The addition of an outer plastic cover that fits large box sets was very welcome. A master class in customer service which I always get from the team at Discrepancy. Regards. Peter (Sheffield)