Mogoya

Mogoya - Oumou Sangare

by Benedict Croft

Wassoulou pioneer Oumou Sangare educates the global music scene in Mogoya, creating roots music that sounds intrinsically contemporary. It is hard to tire of the syncopated funk beats which reference the pop Malian rhythms of the 1980s and 1990s, which Sangare herself helped develop, in a fresh and highly energetic reinterpretation. In true Wassoulou style, Mogoya is a dance music album at its heart, brushed with refreshing electronic elements enabling the production of a later remixed album in 2018 which saw the likes of Natureboy Flako, St Germain and Tony Allen turn their hand to Sangare’s music. This modern sound is best exhibited in ‘Kamelemba’ where delicately reverbed vocals are interspersed with vintage synth harmonies and occasional sampling, all whilst the traditional instruments of the ngoni and calabash lay an irresistible acoustic groove. Sangare is not one to shy away from the political and this album is testament to that, with her songs discussing themes surrounding the global refugee crisis and the current tense political situation in Mali. Mogoya reaches out for unity through dynamic musical collaborations and pointed social critique to create a work that feels, in every sense, contemporary. ◆