Melodic offerings from the Malian guitarist. Less dramatic than some of his better known compatriots, but just as captivating. Contains booklet with lyrics. 13 tracks, approx 59 mins, USA. PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC.

The National Railways Of Mali had their hotel by the railway station in the heart of Bamako city and a motley crew of businessmen had flooded Bamako: French and Chinese, Lebanese and German, Russians and Arabs... the nightlife was bubbling. Into this nightlife, and for the 'Buffet Hotel', a band was formed. Their first singer was Salif Keita, their second, Mory Kante. How good can it get? Here we have a slice of music history: the first recordings of artists and a music that went on to help change the way that African music was perceived outside of Africa. Great languid rolling epics, or short intense bursts of fervour - it's all here in the crucible of the 'Rail Band'. Includes the earliest recordings of Salif Keita and Mory Kante. Full-colour, 20-page booklet with notes detailing the history of the band plus full-page reproductions of the original albums covers. Double Compact Disc. UK. STERN'S DISTRIBUTION.

Boubacar Traoré has risen from the ashes and still sings better than ever. 13 tracks, 72:53 mins, UK. WRASSE RECORDS,

Collection of acoustic songs by one of Mali's greatest female singers. 11 tracks, UK.

2002 CD

Diabate's kora often forms the backing to haunting vocals and pounding drums: virtuosity meets soulful grooves in a melting pot of pulsating African rhythms. With bonus DVD. UK . WORLD CIRCUIT.

A new album of songs written, composed and arranged by the Malian singer. Includes booklet with lyrics in the original language, English and French. 10 tracks, 60:14 mins, FRANCE. LABEL BLEU,

2003 Compact Disc

An album by one of West Africa's best percussion soloists. Features the djembe, the balafon, guitar and dundum. 10 tracks, 50:59 mins, FRANCE. ETHNOMAD.

On this recording of percussion pieces, Mamadou Kanté and his ensemble explore the tradi-tional dance music of this fascinating country. 12 tracks, 58:27 mins, FRANCE. AIRMAIL MUSIC.

The first solo album by the acclaimed singer who has appeared on Baaba Maal's Mi Yeewnii (Missing You). Her powerful vocals are accompanied by the kora and keyboard. 10 tracks, 51:56 mins, USA. PALM WORLD.

The new album by Malian Griot Mamany Kouyate. Singing in Bambara, Kouyate celebrates happiness, friendship and family. Liner notes in French and English. 8 tracks, 48:58 mins, FRANCE. PLAYA SOUND.

12 tracks highlight the amazing flexibility and adaptability of this courtly griot tradition. Diabate performs with his own instrumental group - a versatile band that includes balafonist Bala Kouyaté, Baye Kouyaté on calabash and talking drum, American jazz musician Noah Jarrett on bass, with a special guest cameo from the Guinean guitarist Djikorya Mory Kante. Mande music is almost always centred around a singer, so the decision to keep this work all instrumental and let the musicians do the talking is unusual. GERMANY. HARMONIA MUNDI UK LTD.

A poetic portrait of Boubacar Traore KarKar telling the story of his journey from rock icon to blues guitarist. The film presents Traore performing his music in various locations in the Malian countryside, including Bamako, Dogon country and Timbuktu. Includes contributions from Ali Farka Toure, Malik Sidibe, Mamadou Sangare and Madieye Niang. Dialogue in French and Bambara with English, Spanish and Dutch subtitles. DVD compatible with all regions. 80 mins, FRANCE, LES PRODUCTIONS FAIRE BLEU.

Mande music from the heart of Griot tradition. Includes detailed liner notes about the history of the Griots and the stories behind the songs. 14 tracks, 67:07 mins, UK.

The first album by the Malian string quartet featuring popular songs in the traditional style of Kita and Wassolou. Includes liner notes in French and English. 8 tracks, 50:03 mins, FRANCE. PLAYA SOUND.

The meeting of three virtuosos of African music playing a jazz tinted with traditional sounds and feeling. 10 tracks, 57:44 mins, FRANCE.

The debut album by the highly regarded Malian musician whose career has been so far spent playing in Mali with bands such as Les Ambassadeurs with Salif Keita and Miria and teaching music to the visually handicapped. In this album he develops his own style of humorous, satirical music called Kote. 14 tracks, 66:06 mins, UK. WRASSE RECORDS,

Recorded in Bamako and Paris, this album marks a new step in the career of the Malian blues giant. 9 tracks, 48:47 mins, FRANCE. MARABI PRODUCTIONS.

An album by N'Gou Bagayoko, a Blues inspired guitarist from Mali, featuring distinctive female vocals. 10 tracks, 43:40 mins, FRANCE. FRIKYIWA.

A selection of music from Mali. Includes tracks by Habib Koite, Tinariwen, Boubacar Traore, Issa Bagayogo, and Moussa Diallo. Liner notes in English, Spanish and French. 11 tracks, 49:30 mins, USA. PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC.

Features kora, balafon, n'goni and Bambara vocals. 7 tracks, over 53 mins of music, FRANCE

2001 CD

Four artists - Toka Abagouro Sarre, Dinda Hamma Sarre, Nassourou Sarre and Bara Sambarou Sarre - playing the hoddu lute, foundation of Fulani oral culture. FRANCE. OCORA RADIO FRANCE.

Traditional songs of the Malian griots, accompanied on the guitar, the harp-lute kora and the balafon xylophone. 9 tracks, 70:39, FRANCE. HARMONIA MUNDI UK LTD.

A musical journey tracing the roots of the Blues to the heart of Africa. Includes tracks by John Lee Hooker, Habib Koite, Baba Djan, Taj Mahal, Guy Davis, Rokia Traore, Muddy Waters and Boubacar Traore. Includes liner notes. 12 tracks, 56:58 mins, NETHERLANDS. PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC.

Documentary film based on the album of the same name. 48 mins, all regions, FRANCE. SYLLART PRODUCTIONS.

This extraordinary concert, recorded at Bamako’s French Cultural Centre on 23rd December 2004, rights the balance, revealing the personalities, humour and improvisational mastery of some of the country’s finest musicians interacting in a once-in-a-lifetime formation: Habib Koite, Keletigui Diabate, Djelimady Tounkara... 10 tracks, 73:59mins, UK. STERN'S.

An almost accoustic album on a new label marks a change in direction for Keita. Featuring longstanding collaborator Kante Manfila arranging most of the songs and Cesaria Evora guesting effortlessly on the opening track this one shouldn't be missed. 9 tracks, 60:42mins, UK.

2002 CD

Evocative and atmospheric music videos for seven songs from Keita's acoustic album Moffou. Includes a documentary with behind the scenes footage and dance rehearsals. 61 mins, all regions, UK. UNIVERSAL MUSIC.

An atmospheric collection of dub, ambient and electronic featuring voices, music, dancing, animal noises, and other sounds of the night recorded in Bougouni, Mali in February of 2001 by jazz producer Marc Chalosse. Underpinning these sounds are the strings and voices of Ali Boulo Santo and N'Gou Bagayoko. Produced by Frederick Galliano. Includes 10 track bonus CD. 9 tracks, 41:20 mins, FRANCE. FRIKYIWA.

Two disk retrospective of Mali's great diva. Includes 8 new songs and a booklet with song notes by Omou Sangare. All tracks have been digitally remastered. CD 1: 10 tracks, 50:47 mins, CD 2: 10 tracks, 5 :03 mins, UK.

A double album of acoustic songs from the early period of Ali Farka Toure's career. Includes liner notes and lyrics. CD1: 8 tracks, 43:37 mins, CD2: 8 tracks, 45:10 mins, UK. WORLD CIRCUIT.

2004 Compact Disc

The last solo album by the legendary Malian singer and guitarist, who died earlier this year. Recorded in Bamako with his specially assembled down-home ngoni group, 'Savane' is Ali's testament, a powerful reaffirmation of his umbilical link to his Malian musical roots. Already acclaimed as his finest album, it is both one of the most traditional and seemingly the most blues-drenched of his recordings. Absolutely perfect. ‘It's a very enriched musical statement. A truly great piece of work.’ (Ry Cooder) 13 tracks, UK. WORLD CIRCUIT.

Part of the Griot tradition of Malian musicians, Djelimady Tounkara reinterprets some traditional songs with his distinctive style. 11 tracks, 51:04 mins, FRANCE.

The first album by Filifin, a young Malian vocalist and n'goni player. Also features N'Gou Bagayoko on guitar. 7 tracks, 47:22 mins, FRANCE. FRIKYIWA.

One of Songlines Magazine's 50 essential world music albums is some of Salif Keita's most spellbinding work. 6 tracks, 38:15 mins, UK.

An atmospheric and accessible album combining electronica, dub, call and response vocals, the ngoni, and Bagayogo's deep baritone singing voice. 14 tracks, 66:58 mins, UK. WRASSE RECORDS.

2004 CD

His new album is sung in three different languages English, French and Lingala and the CD features many folk ballads. The singer was accompanied with his four children, along with guitar player Sylvian Luc, rapper Passi and the String ensemble of the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra. 16 tracks, 49:35 mins, UK. WRASSE RECORDS,

An album of songs reflecting on Malian society and culture. 12 tracks, 61:35 mins, UK. STERN'S DISTRIBUTION.

Debut album that includes his father, Ali's, last recorded material. Ushers in a new era of Malian blues, with flourishes of rock and reggae among the Saharan blues and traditional Malian melodies. 10 tracks, 50:03 mins, GERMANY. MODIBA PRODUCTIONS.

A compilation which put Malian women singers of the Wassoulou region on the world stage. Features Oumou Sangare, Sali Sidibe and Coumba Sidibe. 9 tracks, 56:15 mins, UK