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an unprecedented move which put the two orchestras on level pegging. It was decided that a ‘battle of the bands’ would be held to declare which of the two orchestras was the best. The Malian government asked that each group write a song to promote a new literacy campaign, and then perform it at a concert where the audience would decide the winner. The result from Les Ambas- sadeurs Du Motel was Kibaru, a 26 minute opus of sinewy, cascad- ing guitar lines, rolling brass riffs, and vocals by Salif in the manner of a griot. By all accounts, it drove the crowd into a frenzy, though on the day of the performance (what a gig that would have been!) both bands were declared the winners.
Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel’s first studio recordings were made in 1975 for the Sonafric label. Their debut LP was released the following year, and it featured a long version of Kibaru. Also featured was Salif singing the mesmerising Diandjon, a griot praise song to the bravery of warriors, and one of the classic recordings from Mali. Their debut LP was followed in 1977 by a further two discs, and a tour of Côte d’Ivoire.
1978 saw the tenth anniversary of the military coup which overthrew Mali’s first democratic government and to escape the confines of a society living under a military dictatorship, the group left Bamako and resettled in Abidjan. Here they renamed them- selves Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux and commenced work on new material, including a song called Mandjou.
An opportunity to record came their way, which resulted in five tracks on their debut LP. The disc featured the classic N’toman, the orchestra’s favourite number. Its Guinean balafon-like struc- ture provides the perfect base for one of Kanté Manfila’s most memorable solos (the song was later covered by Africando). The standout track, however, was their new composition Mandjou, which would become their signature tune and one of the iconic songs of African music. A traditional praise song for the Touré clan, Salif performed Mandjou in honour of Guinea’s President, Sékou Touré. In the song he beseeches the Tourés not to cry, and the song is a call to be proud of their heritage. Its minor key mix- ture of jazz, Cuban and indigenous musical influences coupled with the vocal styles borrowed from African traditions defined the West African orchestra style for a decade. The song was hugely influential – just listen to Cheick Mohammed Smith’s organ solo, or to Kanté Manfila’s guitar solo, or to Salif’s vocals, and you will understand why. (A rare video clip of the group performing the song is available on YouTube –
http://youtu.be/T-4nyr5GbwQ – with Keletigui Diabaté on violin.)
efforts, however, they were unable to break into the internation- al market, and in 1982 the group disbanded. Salif went to Paris, Kanté Manfila returned to Abidjan with the rest of the group and they continued to perform. Slowly though, over the years, most of them would join Salif in emigrating to Paris, with Kanté Manfi- la moving there in 1985. They left behind several LPs sporting the title The Ambassadeurs, and here the group’s instrumentalists were backing singers such as Sandaly Kanté and Mamadi Diabaté. Many members of Les Ambassadeurs also released a solo album or two. Kanté Manfila, Keletigui Diabaté and Ousmane Kouyaté all pursued successful solo careers and released multiple record- ings as solo artists or as collaborations with others, and Salif Keita became one of the biggest stars of African music.
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The new tour of the orchestra sees many of the original musi- cians from Les Ambassadeurs Du Motel and Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux reunited, including Salif Keita (vocals), Cheick Tidi- ané Seck (keyboards), Soumaoro Idrissa (keyboards), Ousmane Kouyaté (lead guitar), Amadou Bagayoko (rhythm guitar), Sékou Diabaté (bass), and Mahamadou ‘Pacheco’ Bakayoko (drums). They are joined by Malian n’goni players, percussionists and singers in what should be one of the gigs of the year.
Les Ambassadeurs appear at the Barbican, London, on 26th
July and at Womad, Charlton Park, on 27th July. Stern’s will release a double CD compilation of classic recordings on 26th July.
A complete discography of Les Ambassadeurs can be found among the resources on writer Graeme Counsel’s indispensable Radio Africa web site at
www.radioafrica.com.au/Discographies/ Ambassadeurs.html
ith the release of Mandjou, Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux had become the biggest group in West Africa. They toured widely, released two LPs in 1980, and a further two in 1981, both of which were recorded in the USA. Despite their
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