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Ismael Lô
(Senegal)
Biography
Ismaël Lô was born from a Peul mother from Niger and a Wolof father who was working in Niamey.
Ismael grew up in Rufisque (Senegal), where his family came from. Already as a child, he made his own
guitar with recycled materials. He also learned to play the mouth-organ and he fixed it to the wall to have his hands free to
hold the guitar at the same time. With Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Wilson Pickett as inspiration, he was presented to the
public at the age of fourteen, playing the two instruments at the time for the national television.
In 1979, he joined Super Diamono de Dakar, and several albums were recorded, such as « Ndaxami » and « Mam ». In 1984, Ismael started his solo career, with Vieux Faye, a guitar player, Sélé Thiam, former sax player of Super Diamono and Thio Mbaye, percussionnist of the Ballets d'Afrique Noire. Apart from numerous local cassette productions in Senegal, he recorded a number of albums in Europe. His popularity in Senegal was almost immediate. His music, a mix of softer guitar melodies with soulful vocals and the up-tempo mbalax rhythms, as well as the lyrics, addressing social issues and politics, contributed to the success.
The international recognition came with the compilation album « Jammu Africa » in 1997. His duet with Marianne Faithfull on that album brought considerable international exposure. Over the years, he has worked with various Senegalese and international artists, for instance with Fode Kouyate, Demba Dia, Alioune Kasse, Marone & Co, Thione Seck, Bisso Na Bisso, Africando, Stephan Eicher and Jane Birkin. In 2004, he toured extensively in Southern and East Africa, ending in Morocco. In October 2006, his last album « Sénégal » was released.
In 1979, he joined Super Diamono de Dakar, and several albums were recorded, such as « Ndaxami » and « Mam ». In 1984, Ismael started his solo career, with Vieux Faye, a guitar player, Sélé Thiam, former sax player of Super Diamono and Thio Mbaye, percussionnist of the Ballets d'Afrique Noire. Apart from numerous local cassette productions in Senegal, he recorded a number of albums in Europe. His popularity in Senegal was almost immediate. His music, a mix of softer guitar melodies with soulful vocals and the up-tempo mbalax rhythms, as well as the lyrics, addressing social issues and politics, contributed to the success.
The international recognition came with the compilation album « Jammu Africa » in 1997. His duet with Marianne Faithfull on that album brought considerable international exposure. Over the years, he has worked with various Senegalese and international artists, for instance with Fode Kouyate, Demba Dia, Alioune Kasse, Marone & Co, Thione Seck, Bisso Na Bisso, Africando, Stephan Eicher and Jane Birkin. In 2004, he toured extensively in Southern and East Africa, ending in Morocco. In October 2006, his last album « Sénégal » was released.
Ismaël Lô
Born: August 30, 1956, in Dongo Buti, Niger
Style: Mbalax, afro-folk, afro-pop
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Gor Sayina | 2020 | Syllart SYLLREC0320 | LP reissue |
| Senegal | 2006 | AZ (Universal) | |
| Classics Titles | 2006 | Cantos | Compilation album |
| Dabah | 2001 | Mercury (France) 548 858-2 / Universal | Also on Wrasse Records WRASS043 |
| The Balladeer - Best of Ismael Lô | 2001 | Wrasse Records WRASS 031 | Compilation album |
| Tadieu Bone | 1999 | Sono CDS7053 | Compilation album |
| Jammu Africa | 1997 | Mercury 314 534 233-2 |
|
| Iso | 1994 | Mango 522362-2 | |
| Ismael Lo (Tajabone) | 1991 | Barclay 847972-2 | |
| Diawar | 1989 | Syllart 38759-2 | Also on Stern's STCD 1027 |
| Natt (+ Bonus hits Xalat, Xiif...) | [n.d.] | Syllart 38740-2 | Compilation album with tracks from Xalat, Xiif, Natt |
| Natt | 1987 | Syllart SYL 8335 | LP |
| Xiif | 1985 | Syllart SYL 8321 | LP |
| Xalat | 1984 | Syllart SYL 8314 | LP |
| Gor Sayina | 1981 | Syllart Production MIMI B-S 15155-03 | Ismaïla Lô - l'homme orchestre |
Page added October 1998