Ko-Yan is an album by the Malian musician Salif Keita.[1][2] It was released in 1989 by Mango Records.[3] It was recorded in Paris.[4]

Ko-Yan
Studio album by
Released1989
Recorded1989
GenreMalian music
Length42:07
LanguageMalinké
LabelMango
ProducerFrançois Breant
Salif Keita chronology
Soro
(1987)
Ko-Yan
(1989)
Amen
(1991)

The album contains more influence from Western music, while still maintaining a traditional style. All the songs were written by Keita, including "Nou Pas Bouger", one of his first hits.

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Hi-Fi News & Record ReviewA*:1[5]

The New York Times wrote: "Synthesizers and Western horns perk along (sometimes sounding like Weather Report on Ko-Yan), but the underlying rhythms percolate in triple time, and it's hard for a Western ear to predict where Mr. Keita's vocal lines, and the responses of his female backup singers, will begin or end."[6] The Edmonton Journal noted that Keita's music "injects the stirring traditional rhythms of Mali with nourishing contemporary textures—funk, soca, and soul."[7]

Track listing edit

  1. "Yada"
  2. "Nou Pas Bouger"
  3. "Ko-Yan"
  4. "Fe-So"
  5. "Primpin"
  6. "Tenin"
  7. "Sabou"

References edit

  1. ^ Cook, Richard (Jun 23, 1989). "The Dark Continent". Punch. 296 (7745): 47.
  2. ^ Sinker, Mark (Aug 5, 1989). "Albums: Salif Keita". Melody Maker. 65 (31): 34.
  3. ^ Heim, Chris (14 July 1989). "Mango Records released two world music...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 60.
  4. ^ Moon, Tom (29 Apr 1990). "The World-Music Capital". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. L1.
  5. ^ Hyder, Ken (August 1989). "Review: Salif Keita — Ko-Yan" (PDF). Hi-Fi News & Record Review (magazine). Vol. 34, no. 8. Croydon: Link House Magazines Ltd. p. 108. ISSN 0142-6230. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ Pareles, Jon (2 July 1989). "World Beat Music Struggles with an Identity Crisis". The New York Times. p. A20.
  7. ^ Campbell, Rod (17 Sep 1989). "Salif Keita makes the earth move on Ko-Yan". Edmonton Journal. p. D6.