Ko Sira

Ko Sira is an album by the Malian wassalou singer Oumou Sangaré, released in 1993.[3][4] It was originally issued independently as Bi Furu.[3]

Ko Sira
Studio album by
Oumou Sangare
Released1993
GenreWassalou
LabelWorld Circuit Records/Rounder Records[1]
Nonesuch Records[2]
ProducerNick Gold, Massambou Welle Diallo
Oumou Sangare chronology
Moussoulou
(1990)		 Ko Sira
(1993)		 "Worotan"
(1996)

The album was a commercial success in Europe, spending months on the world music charts.[5]

Production

Written by Sangare, the album was recorded in Berlin.[6][7] It was produced by Nick Gold and Massambou Welle Diallo.[8]

Like much of Sangare's work, Ko Sira explores feminist themes.[9][10] The album title translates to "Marriage Today".[11]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
Robert ChristgauB+[13]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[14]

The New York Times thought that "even on her calmest numbers, Ms. Sangare quickens beats and tickles locutions, impatient to cram more sensations into her singing, and her hunger for excitement is infectious ... [her] two-woman chorus adds to her sensuous swing, giving her abrupt interjections the kick of blues shouts."[1] Guitar Player called Sangare "sublime," writing that she "spins her heartbreakingly beautiful melodies over interlocking webs of guitar, electric bass, and indigenous stringed instruments."[15]

Reviewing the Nonesuch reissue, The Washington Post wrote: "Sangare forgoes international pop, rock and disco influences for a small-combo acoustic sound. Yet her supple music is not strictly traditional; Western guitar, bass and violin intertwine with African percussion and call-and-response vocals."[2] The San Diego Union-Tribune deemed Ko Sira "enchanting," writing that "the focal point remains [Sangare's] high, keening, soulful singing, which is steeped in tradition yet very much of the moment."[16]

AllMusic wrote that "the focus remains on Sangare's gliding singing (thickened by a couple of female backup singers) and the music's looping (but not laid-back) grooves."[12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Oumou Sangare

No.TitleLength
1."Kayini Wura" 
2."Sigi Kuruni" 
3."Mani Djindala" 
4."Saa Magni" 
5."Dugu Kamelemba" 
6."Bi Furu" 
7."Nawo Nawo" 
8."Ko Sira" 

References
  1. Miles, Milo (20 February 1994). "RECORDINGS VIEW; Sinewy Sweetness From Mali". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. "OUMOU SANGARE 'Ko Sira' World Circuit/Nonesuch". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. "Oumou Sangaré Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  4. "A songbird with bite". The Guardian. 6 July 1999. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. O'Brien, Lucy (16 October 2003). "She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul". A&C Black. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via Google Books.
  6. Pareles, Jon (6 August 1994). "IN PERFORMANCE". The New York Times. p. 15.
  7. Richardson, Derek (July–August 2001). "CD Reviews". Yoga Journal: 133.
  8. Paoletta, Michael (9 December 2000). "Ko Sira". Billboard. 112 (50): 35.
  9. "Oumou Sangare by Zoë Anglesey – BOMB Magazine". bombmagazine.org. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  10. Moon, Tom (28 August 2008). "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die: A Listener's Life List". Workman Publishing. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via Google Books.
  11. Turner, Ras Al (30 May 1997). "Performers represent music, dance of Mali". The Philadelphia Tribune. p. 8E.
  12. "Ko Sira – Oumou Sangaré | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  13. "Robert Christgau: CG: Oumou Sangare". robertchristgau.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  14. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 249.
  15. "Picks – Ko Sira by Oumou Sangare". Guitar Player. 28 (4): 116. April 1994.
  16. Varga, George (9 November 2000). "KO SIRA OUMOU SANGARE". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Entertainment. p. 29.
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