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One of the most surprising voices in all of Africa, here is Noura Mint Seymali, directly from Mauritania
Noura Mint Seymali
Noura was born in Mauritania from a noble family of griots, a sort of very popular storyteller in this part of Africa. The family will greatly influence his artistic career, so much so that, already at the age of 13, she performed in concert with her mother, the legendary Dimi Mint Abba, for whom her father composed the music. After the marriage with the master of tidinit (guitar typical of the Mauritanian-Malian tradition), Jeich Ould Chinghaly, she will form her first band with her husband, starting to perform in 2004.
However, the turning point will take place in 2012, when the pair will be joined by bassist Ousmane Touré and drummer and producer Matthew Tinari who will give the group the definitive structure. The results of this new composition are not long in coming and in 2014 their first album “Tzenni” arrives which immediately turns out to be a huge success. It will be in 2016, however, that the definitive qualitative leap will take place. With the release of the second album “Arbina”, Noura Mint Seymali will definitively be consecrated as the new great voice of the Griot and West African scene.
Voice and music of the desert
With this review we wanted in some way to re-propose the legendary Festival au Désert, a real monument of this music and its point of reference in the world. It is no coincidence that in 2012 Noura sang in the penultimate edition of the festival, we absolutely had to start with her. Her music recalls the traditions of her land, placed in limbo between the Arab world and the African world, a mix that, once again, proves to be absolutely winning.
The combination of voice and instruments is incredible, both managing to have their own space and thus remaining both protagonists. His rhythm manages to take the best of his own tradition, without however falling into complacency and giving our ears new sounds, never heard before in Italy. His instrument, the ardin, the typical harp of the Mauritanian-griot tradition, will contribute to the illusion, transporting you to distant lands and bewitching musicalities.
We leave you under the playlist from which we will draw in these days, suggestions are accepted.
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