Baaba Maal
(Senegal)

Djembe
Biography
Baaba Maal has become one of the most important singers from Senegal. His music is based on the traditions of the Haalpulaar from the north of Senegal, and distinguishes itself from the mbalax music by the Wolof, predominant in Senegalese music.

Baaba Maal started with an acoustic ensemble, halfway the 1980s he created his own band, Daande Lenol. With the success of Youssou N'Dour in mind, Baaba tried to conquer international music markets through mixing different styles with his own music, in which he, generally speaking, succeeded quite well.

Parallel to the international releases, Maal continues to record the more traditional and acoustic albums, following his all-time classic album « Djam Leelii », recorded with Mansour Seck. Another faithful companion was kora master Kaouding (or Kawding) Cissoko who passed away on 17th July 2003 at age of 38, after an acute attack of tuberculosis.

In recent years, his album production slowed down, for various reasons, not the least because of his humanitarian activities. Fortunately, in late 2007, a new album came out, followed in 2008 by a live album that was released as a limited LP edition and as a digital download only. Included are live versions of a few of the finest songs in Maal's work plus three collectors' items – a song called « Iyango » which has never been released before, together with « Farba », a tune from an Africa-only cassette release, and « Bamba ».

Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal  

• Daande Lenol:
Baaba Maal lead vocals, guitar
Mansour Seck guitar, backing vocals
Sidiki Kouyaté (b. 27-02-1959, † 14-11-2014) bass
Hilaire F.J. Chaby-Hary keyboards
Massamba Diop tama (talking drum)
Assane Ndoye Cissé guitar
Bada Seck percussion
Kaouding (Kawding) Cissoko (b. 2-1-1964, † 17-07-2003) kora



Born: 12 November 1953 in Podor, North Senegal
Style: Yela, Mbalax, Acoustic



Discography
Title Year Label Remarks
Being 2023 Marathon Artists CD
The Traveller 2015 Palm / Marathon Artists CD
African Soul Revolutionary 2010 Nascente NSDCD 019 2CD compilation
Television 2009 Palm Pictures PALMCD2140
On the Road "Edition Bootleg" Live Acoustic 2008 Palm Pictures Numbered limited edition (300 pressed only)
12" vinyl album
Baaba Maal CD & DVD 2005 Palm World Voices CD & DVD
The Best of the Early Years 2003 Wrasse Records WRASS 093 Compilation Album
Missing You... Mi Yeewnii 2001 Palm Pictures PALMCD 2067-2
Jombaajo 1999? Sonodisc CDS 7059 Collection of older "African" Recordings
Live at Royal Festival Hall 1999 Palm Pictures PALMCD 2014-2 Featuring Ernest Ranglin
Nomad Soul 1998 Palm Pictures PALMCD 2002-2
Firin' in Fouta 1994 Mango
Lam Toro 1992 Mango Rereleased in the US by Palm Pictures
Baayo 1991 Mango Rereleased in the US by Palm Pictures in 2003
Taara 1989 Syllart 38774-2
Wango 1987 Syllart SYL 8348
Albums with Mansour Seck:
Djam Leelii 1998 Yoff CD001 Re-release of Rogue Records album (with 3 bonustracks)
Djam Leelii 1989 Rogue Records FMSL 2014 1984-recordings
African Releases (a selection only):
Souvenir 3 2013 Baaba Maal Digital download
Souvenir 2 2011 Baaba Maal Digital download
Souvenir 1 20?? Baaba Maal Digital download
International Riche Afrique !!!, vol.2 20?? Baaba Maal Digital download
International Riche Afrique !!! 2007 Baaba Maal
Kettode & Sangoul 2006 Gadiaga CD compilation of two previously released cassettes
(Sangoul, 2005)
L'Epopée d'El Hadj Omar Taal 1999 Le Ndiambour Cassette (in 2013 also released as download)

Sources
baabamaal.tv/biography (outdated link, retrieved January 2016)
Toshiya Endo's African music discography for a comprehensive list of all albums, incl. local cassettes.

Page added August 1998