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 Born
In Mali, West Africa in 1949, he comes from a noble lineage,
a direct descendent of Sundiata Keita, the Mandinka warrior
king who founded the Malian empire in the 13th century. Salif
Keita was born an albino - a sign of bad luck and was shunned
and ostracised by his family and community alike. He originally
wished to become a teacher, but unemployment at that time was
high, so he switched to music. In mali, musicians are often
thought of as dissolute and irresponsible; also for a son of
a royal family to go into a job that was traditionally the preserve
of the lower castes was virtually unthinkable. His poor eyesight
also contributed to his personal sense of alienation. In 1967
he moved to Bamako where he began playing in nightclubs with
one of his brothers. Two years later he joined the 16 member,
government sponsored Rail Band. In 1973 he left the Rail Band
to join Les Ambassadeurs.
 By
1977, Salif Keita composed Mandjou, a track which is seen to
be a key signature tune of his.
Due to increasing political unrest, Salif Keita left Mali in
the mid-'70s for the Ivory Coast, the other members of the band
followed suit and they changed the name of the band to Les Ambassadeurs
Internationales. The band broke up in 1984, and Salif Keita
moved to Paris. launching a career which saw him recording the
classic SORO album in 1987.
A recording deal with Island Records followed, which resulted
in the release of the albums KO-Yan in 1989, followed by AMEN
in 1991 as well as the 1992 film score for L'enfant Lion.
Kaita's music blends together the traditional griot music of
his Malian childhood with other West African influences from
Cuba, Spain and Portugal. An unmistakebly overall Islamic sound. |
| |
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| The Best of the
Early |
2002 |
Wrasse Records |
| Moffou |
2002 |
Universal Music France |
| Golden Voice
- Best of Salif Keita |
2001 |
Wrasse Records |
| Papa |
1999 |
Metro Blue/ Capitol Records |
| Seydou Bathily |
1998 |
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| Sosie |
1997 |
MS Verdenshjornet |
| Folon |
1995 |
Mango |
| 69-80 |
1994 |
Sonodisc |
| The Mansa of Mali |
1994 |
Mango |
| L'Enfant Lion |
1993 |
Island |
| Amen |
1991 |
Mango |
| Ko-Yan |
1989 |
Island |
| Soro |
1987 |
Island |
| Tounkan |
1984 |
Celluloid |
| Primpin |
|
Celluloid |
| Djougouya |
|
Celluloid |
| Mandjou |
1978 |
Celluloid |
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