Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Hadja Soumano

Frank Bessem's
Musiques d'Afrique:

Adja Soumano
(Mali)

Musiques d'Afrique
Musiques du Mali

Hadja Soumano (Adja Soumano on the later albums) is one of so many Malian singers that are famous in Mali but hardly known outside the country. This is a pity, because her music is a well crafted combination of tradition and modernity, and her voice is both powerful and full of warmth.
The only album available outside Mali was a LP called Nteri Diaba produced by Boncana Maiga, and later reissued on one CD together with an album of Tata Bembo Kouyate. The list of contributing musicians reads like the "who is who" in Malian music.

Born:
Style: semi traditional music.

Musicians on "Nteri Diaba":
Hadja Soumano lead vocals;
Niama Tounkara, Coumba Kane backing vocals;
Djelimady Tounkara lead guitar;
Moussa Diabaté guitar;
Moriba Koïta ngoni;
Djely Mady Diabaté balafon;
P. de Souza drums;
Boncana Maïga keyboards.

Discography:

Title	Year	Label	Remarks
Kokabéré	2004
Aigles du Mali	?	EMI Mali K7
Best of Hadja Soumano	?	Local cassette EMK 004H	Tracks from Nteri Diaba and Tounga Magni
Tounga Magni	1992	Local cassette SAM 0401924
Mali Stars: Hadja Soumano & Tata Bembo	1991	Syllart 38110-2	Nteri Diaba album and Tata Bembo's album put together on one CD
Nteri Diaba	1989	Syllart LP SYL 8393 (38771-1)