Ko-Yan

Ko-Yan
Studio album by
Salif Keita
Released1989
Recorded1989
GenreMalian music
Length42:07
LanguageMalinké
LabelMango
ProducerFrançois Breant
Salif Keita chronology
Soro
(1987) 		Ko-Yan
(1989) 		Amen
(1991)

Ko-Yan is an album by the Malian musician Salif Keita. It was released in 1989 by Mango Records. It was recorded in Paris.

The album contains more influence from Western music, while still maintaining a traditional style. All the songs were written by Keita, including "Nou Pas Bouger", one of his first hits.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Hi-Fi News & Record ReviewA*:1

The New York Times wrote: "Synthesizers and Western horns perk along (sometimes sounding like Weather Report on Ko-Yan), but the underlying rhythms percolate in triple time, and it's hard for a Western ear to predict where Mr. Keita's vocal lines, and the responses of his female backup singers, will begin or end." The Edmonton Journal noted that Keita's music "injects the stirring traditional rhythms of Mali with nourishing contemporary textures—funk, soca, and soul."

Track listing

  1. "Yada"
  2. "Nou Pas Bouger"
  3. "Ko-Yan"
  4. "Fe-So"
  5. "Primpin"
  6. "Tenin"
  7. "Sabou"

References

  1. ^ Cook, Richard (Jun 23, 1989). "The Dark Continent". Punch. 296 (7745): 47.
  2. ^ Sinker, Mark (Aug 5, 1989). "Albums: Salif Keita". Melody Maker. 65 (31): 34.
  3. ^ Heim, Chris (14 July 1989). "Mango Records released two world music...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 60.
  4. ^ Moon, Tom (29 Apr 1990). "The World-Music Capital". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. L1.
  5. ^ Hyder, Ken (August 1989). "Review: Salif Keita — Ko-Yan" (PDF). Hi-Fi News & Record Review (magazine). Vol. 34, no. 8. Croydon: Link House Magazines Ltd. p. 108. ISSN 0142-6230. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ Pareles, Jon (2 July 1989). "World Beat Music Struggles with an Identity Crisis". The New York Times. p. A20.
  7. ^ Campbell, Rod (17 Sep 1989). "Salif Keita makes the earth move on Ko-Yan". Edmonton Journal. p. D6.