Released in 2008, Rokia Traoré’s “Tchamantché” is the most recent album by the Malian singer, songwriter and guitarist.
Traore combines electric and acoustic guitar with the sound of traditional African instruments including the balafon, a giant wooden xylophone, and kora (a 21-string harp-lute), and calabash percussion.
The album features 11 tracks, including the title song “Tchamantché,” addressing everything from relationships to illegal immigration. All of the songs were composed by Traore herself, with the lone exception being “The Man I Love,” a classic by Billie Holiday.
Singing many of her lyrics in French, Traore weaves a trance-like sound, borrowing from both her African and European roots.
Traore creates a distinct sound and style, with “Tchamanthché” sounding like something one would hear listening to National Public Radio “World Café” broadcast.
With Traoré’s music as diverse as her past, the daughter of a Mali diplomat lends an international flair to her smooth, almost jazzy sound in songs like “Tounka.”
Tapping into Traoré’s travels to countries from Saudi Arabia to France, listeners can pick out hints of each country in songs like “Zen.” Born in Kolokani, Mali, Traore pursued her music aspirations despite local prejudices against the lower caste of professional singers known as “griots.” Her first album sold over 40,000 copies in Europe alone.
Traore was the winner of the Best Artist category at the first Songlines Music Awards in 2009 and has also been awarded the BBC World Music Award. “Tchamantché” is her fourth album.
The album can be found online for $16 and clocks in at a little more than 46 minutes.
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