Albums overview

Tamala (2017)

Tamala

Mola Sylla sings with a power that stems from the heart. The timbre of his gravelly voice makes him one of the most creative Senegalese singers, as witness his long collaboration with the Dutch celliste Ernst Reijsiger, with whom he composed the soundtrack of Werner Herzog’s film The Blue Yonder. Mola Sylla also plays the xalam (West African lute), kongoma and kalimba (thumbed pianos), as well as percussion. Bao Sissoko is acknowledged throughout Europe as a talented kora-player. A true master of this West African harp, he has not only played alongside the famous Baaba Maal but is also known for his collaboration with Malick Pathé Sow. The Belgian folk violinist Wouter Vandenabeele can still surprise us with his collaborations, each one more daring than the last. After collaborating with the Syrian oud-player Elias Bachoura and taking part in the world-folk big band Olla Vogala, Wouter is now putting his energy into this trio.

The three musicians had already worked together a few years ago on the albums “The music of Issa Sow” and Mami Kanouté’s “Mousso Lou”, but it’s as a trio that the magic of their music becomes truly apparent. Sincerity and serenity flow from each note, like an invitation to let oneself be carried away at the whim of the melodies. The complicity between the violin, the kora and the singing is intoxicating, the dialogue is sustained, and sheer pleasure in playing shines out at every instant. A pleasure that one can’t help sharing.

Tracks

  1. Salubrité
  2. Kure Ndey
  3. Fode
  4. Ceppe
  5. Zanzibar (Tribute to Bi Kidude)
  6. Geej Dju Malika
  7. Nder
  8. Mansour
  9. Kongoman
  10. Xafamaia
  11. Ayo nene
  12. Poulo

Get the album

From Muziekpublique

  • By postal delivery: order on our website
  • At our office from Tuesday to Friday between 10.30-13.00 and 15-18.00, or during the concerts.

Record shops

  • In good record shops in Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, Ireland, France and Japan

Online

  • Bandcamp
  • Google Play, Spotify, Deezer and more by following this link

Buy the Album

€15,00

Videos

Press Tamala

“Lumba is not only music from the heart, but also music for fellow human beings, in many…
New Folk sounds (NL)
17/02/2022
Marius Roeting
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“There would be a lot more to say about this record… The booklet […] informs us about…
Jazz Mania (BE)
10/01/2022
Claudy Jalet
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“It is a rather positive message from a very positive and rather beautiful album.”
RnR Magazine (UK)
01/01/2022
Norman Darwen
“Lumba is an album with a clear message, carried by beautiful West African music with lyrics written…
MixedWorldMusic.com (BE)
10/12/2021
Rik van Boeckel
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“A haunting and majestic blues record, both choral and intimate, solar and introspective.”
Le Soir (BE)
02/12/2021
Thierry Coljon
“With Lumba, Tamala has once again produced a rock-solid album that is convincing both musically and in…
Tropicalidad (BE)
01/12/2021
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“A trio that respectfully brings together elements from various traditions to make music for our times.”
Klara (BE)
01/12/2021
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*** LIVE DIFFUSION @La Petite Fabriek
rtbf (BE)
26/11/2021
Le Monde est un Village
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“Musically speaking, this fine CD is a bit like peeling an onion…with each new layer, you find…
folk radio (UK)
25/11/2021
Philip Thomas
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“Frottées, pincées ou vocales, leurs cordes se complètent à merveille”
Le Monde (FR)
03/11/2021
Fabien Mollon
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“Just now and then, a record comes along in which everything about it seems to perfectly embody…
Rootsworld
01/11/2021
Mike Adcock
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“These songs are characterized by catchy melodies and well rhythmic, but it is worth reading (in the…
Blogfoolk (IT)
28/10/2021
Alessio Suran
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“West African culture demands attention, as does the mixture of Belgian and Senegalese influences.”
BRUZZ (BE)
01/10/2021
Glodie Mungaba
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“If the respect for the human and the nature is central in this project, it was necessary…
Larsen (BE)
01/10/2021
Jean-Pierre Goffin
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“[Tamala played] in front of a theater completely carried away by the narrative intensity of the three…
Blogfoolk (IT)
22/02/2019
Alessio Surian 
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Premiere of Tamala’s concert recorded at Festival d’Art de Huy 2018
RTBF La Première (BE)
24/12/2018
Le monde est un village
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“Womad in microcosm might look like the wonderful three-piece Tamala – two Senegalese and a Belgian –…
The i Paper (UK)
30/07/2018
Simon O'Hagan
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“It’s like when you’re in a room with too many people and you open the window”
Folk (BE)
01/10/2018
“This album, which swells with temperate acoustic energy, seals an interwovenness between South and North, gives out…
Folkcorner Den Appel (NL)
14/06/2018
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“This album, which encloses an interweaving of South and North with subdued acoustic power, radiates an unprecedented…
Newfolksounds (NL)
25/05/2018
Bart Vanoutrive
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***** “Such high spots are enough to merit much repeated listening” PLAYLIST ALBUM CHOICE
fROOTS #414 (UK)
01/01/2018
Vic Smith
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 “Quietly graceful acoustic music of a chamber-like intensity”
Songlines #134 (UK)
01/01/2018
Nigel Williamson
“One of my absolute loves right now and it’s going to take quite something to knock it…
BBC Radio 3 (UK)
Lopa Kothari
“Une profonde poésie se dégage quasi mélancoliquement de ces compositions partagées par les trois musiciens qui, manifestement,…
5 planètes (FR)
Etienne Bours
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***** “An audible bond and mutual respect marinated into every little nuance and note. Each time I…
Music Republic Magazine (UK)
Simon Redley
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“Music that comes straight from the heart”
VPRO Vrije Geluiden (NL)
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“In fact the violin blends in perfectly, alternately plucked and bowed (as on “Xafamaya”) adding counterpoint and…
Muzikifan
Alastair Johnston
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“A jewel of an album. Sublime”
Moors Magazine (NL)
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“Calm and peaceful, Sissoko rolls out the majestic grooves, while Vandenabeele mostly restricts himself to subtle melodic…
Mixed World Music (NL)
Ton Maas
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***** “(trad) The virtuoso trio has much to offer on the album for all sorts of traditions,…
Written in Music (NL)
Philippe De Cleen
“True gem of an album !”
rebelbase.be (BE)
31/10/2017
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“Pearl!”
Tropicalidad.org
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“Cela vaut la peine de prendre le temps pour écouter l’album attentivement, car si on réussi à…
Ekultura.hu (HU)
25/03/2018
Galgóczi Tamás
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“Three virtuoso musicians and craftsmen pur sang guarantee on ‘Tamala’ more than one hour of delightful listening…
Oxfambrugge.be (BE)
01/11/2017
“Summed up: impressive musical craftsmanship, coupled with open spirits and respect for Man and Nature … a…
Rootstime (BE)
01/01/2018
Dani Heyvaert
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