release date: Dec. 1987
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Francois Breant
label: Stern's Africa - nationality: Mali
Track highlights: 1. "Wamba" - 2. "Soro (Afriki)" - 5. "Cono" - 6. "Sanni Kegniba"
Album by Salif Keita aka his international debut, which was released on various labels. Island Records released the album in Germany and Italy, and its sub-label (sub division label) Mango issued the album for the North American market, the Australian, and in France it was both Mango and EMI (Pathé Marconi EMI), who issued the album. Styllart Records issued the album in former French colonies, and Stern's Africa issued the album in the UK but also on CD format for Germany and South Africa. It's hard to say, which label had the distribution rights, but it appears that Keita had by then left Africa and settled in Paris, where his solo career was initiated with Soro. Before that, Keita had started his musical career around 1970 when he became the first lead vocalist in Rail Band (later known as Super Rail Band, and Bamako Rail Band, and a year later Mory Kanté joined the band). After around three years, Keita left Rail Band and co-founded Les Ambassadeurs (aka Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako aka Ambassadeurs du Motel), which experienced an ever-changing line-up that also counted Kante Manfila and Sekou Bembeya Diabaté. In the late 70s, the band changed name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux (aka Ambassadeur International aka Salif Keita et Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux) - again. The album Ambassadeur International (1981) has later been released as Seydou Bathity as a compilation album by Salif Keita.
Soro differs in style from the uptempo blend of African jazz and latin jazz influence, which appears to characterize Keita's music in the 70s, a style that has been called 'Afro Cuban son'. Here, there's a stronger Mandé / Malian touch, which again blends many styles but what's really the common denominator and the noticeable strength is Keita's original vocal. All tracks here are credited Keita, and although, it's primarily uptempo music with harmony-choruses, these tracks are lengthier than traditional pop music. The album holds six tracks with running times from 4:46 to 9:50 mins.
When comparing to the music made by Keita's former bands, it's clear that Keita here has found a better outlet in terms of production sound. Compilations with music by Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs prove Keita's composer skills but have a distinct flat sound.
Soro is not Keita's best imo but it documents his versatilty and ear for hooks and complex arrangements.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
