On their latest project, Sahel Sounds (the brainchild of Chris Kirkley) looked to Mali for a compilation of electro/percussion-heavy popular music played at Balani Show public street parties. Balani Show Super Hits is a taste of a high energy Malian music that originated out of a late 90s street party scene in Bamako, where DJs began opting for large sound systems and cassettes in favor of Balafon musicians. From the parties soon came a "Balani Show" (aka "Ambience") urban music genre fusing modern production with traditional rhythmic patterns. On the hits compilation, contemporary stars, including Kaba Blon, feature alongside veterans from the Balani scene like DJ Bamanan and DJ Balani in a talking-drum-infused collection bridging sounds from the electronic balafon with Kuduro and Coupé Decalé. Balani Show Super Hits is out now via Sahel Sounds. Stream it in full below and find out more Balani Show history and backstory from Chris Kirkley over here.
