For those who like to think the reissue game is played out, Awesome Tapes from Africa has a thing or two to say about that. The label began back in 2011 with Malian singer Nahawa Doumbia’s La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol. 3 and now, coming full circle, they’re bringing Volume 1 of Doumbia’s work to a wider audience.
The album was originally released in 1981, when Doumbia was 20, by the Côte d’Ivoire-based AS Records. The singer had this to say about looking back on her debut: “I am really proud of that first album because that’s where it all began. It shows me how far I’ve come in my personal and artistic life; it gives me the courage I need to keep going forward, and makes me appreciate all the years of dedication and hard work I put into my musical career.”
La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 1 is out September 20 via Awesome Tapes in all your favorite physical and digital formats (LP/CD/Tape/Digital). Meanwhile, stream “Tou Dibile” below:
La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 1 tracklisting:
01. Kourouni
02. Tou Dibile
03. Tjefouroule
04. Djankonia
05. Nianimanjougou
06. Sokono Woulouni
More about: Nahawa Doumbia
