Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba - Segu Blue

SEGU BLUE is the first solo album by Malian ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate. Bassekou is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa, and he has collaborated with many musicians in and outside of Mali: He played in the Symmetric trio alongside Toumani Diabate (kora) and Keletigui Diabate (balafon).He was part of Taj Mahal's and Toumani Diabate's 'Kulanjan' project, as well as being one of the key musicians on Ali Farka Toure's posthumous album 'Savane'. Bassekou also toured with Ali Farka Toure on his last series of European concerts leaving a lasting impression on the audience as the band's solo/lead ngoni player.He was also recently featured in an extensive piece in The Independent (13/10/06) which documented Damon Albarn's trip to Mali last year. The album features guest musicians Kasse Mady Diabate, Lobi Traore, Lassana Diabate, and singers Zoumana Tereta and Ami Sacko.