by Torben Holleufer, SpotOnMaliMusic
Today came the first film from the live concerts of this year's Spot On Mali Music, which by the way was the 5th edition of our festival. And the film is featuring a true star of the new generation, M'Bouillé Koité.
The name for sure rings a bell, as well as the whole appearance of the young man with the golden voice and the brilliant modern take on, what a jeli - or griot - musician can do with a guitar. And yes, M'Bouille is the nephew and protegé of Habib Koité, who around 20 years ago entered a stage already famous for it's guitarplayers and added his own brand of traditional inspiration spiced with flavors of first and foremost flamenco music.
But M'Bouillé is not Habib. He is entirely his own, and it was the second tome, we had the pleasure of presenting him on our stage, a repetition which only has happened with the local band, Antaara, and the genius Cheick Tidiane Seck.
M'Bouillé is often working with D-Music, which again means the other young star, Sidiki Diabaté, who is well-known in the West as the kora playing son of legendary Toumani Diabaté, but who have for years worked with his brother, as well as M'Bouillé Koité and the rapper, Iba One.
Sidiki also joined M'Bouillé Koité on stage, and we will show that amazing show in future films. It was the perfect closing act, when the two brilliant protegés stood opposite each other, Sidiki with hiphop cap and jeans, while playing the torrent of notes on his modern and electric kora, and M'Bouillé hitting the mike with his crystal clear voice.
They are special, and we feel grateful, that they came and made our world the centre of attention, recognizing that we are about putting the SPOT on the new talent as well as the musicians, who have not found attention around the globe.
As well as passing on our mutual message of peace and unity in a country, which deserve everything and is full to the brim with magnificent talent and diverse cultures creating a place quite unique.
