Amadou and Mariam’s ebullient Afro-pop has long been a festival-circuit favorite—try to find one Coachella 2006 attendee who isn’t still raving about them, just try—but their truest crossover success took a bit longer to traverse the Atlantic.
Welcome to Mali, 2008’s ode to their homeland (where the blind, married couple met in school), was an irresistible, seamless blend of traditional Malian beat, Western pop, and some Eastern pop.
Galvanizing lead single “Sabali” was an indie radio sensation, duly lauded by Pitchfork, The Village Voice, and other outlets. Welcome to Mali, their fifth album, was not just world music – it was the sound of the world unified.
They also have another melting-pot project on the horizon, as Pitchfork reported recently. Remixes is as self-explanatory as it appears, a full slate of revisited songs from their past catalogue. Collaborators include Brooklyn’s own Nas and Theophilus London and numerous French DJs, including brash turntablists Busta Funk and Yuksek. Swedish dance group Miike Snow, a proper 2010 sensation, are also on deck to reconfigure their biggest hit. Full track list below:
Remixes:
01. Africa (Bob Sinclar Remix Radio Edit) [ft. K'naan]
02. Coulibaly (Akon Remix) [ft. Akon]
03. Ilbiwan (Laskez Remix)
04. Patience ("Sabali" version by Nas & Damian Marley)
05. Poulo (Busta Funk Remix)
06. La Réalité (Yuksek Remix)
07. Sabali (Grey X Sage Remix) [ft. Theophilus London]
08. Je Pense à Toi, Mon Amour, Ma Chérie (DJ Alix Remix)
09. Ce N'est Pas Bon (Dj Aero Remix Radio Edit)
10. Sabali (Vitalic Remix Radio Edit)
11. Coulibaly (Ashley Beedle's Afrikanz on Marz Remix Radio Edit)
12. Artistiya (SABO's Disco Edit)
13. Masiteladi (Mo DJ Remix)
14. Sabali (Miike Snow Remix)
Remixes will be released via Nonesuch/Because Records on December 20.
Amadou & Mariam are also working on their seventh studio album right now. It will feature collaborations with Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner and rapper Santigold (per their website).
