Hear some buoyant music from Mali, Bourkina Faso, Senegal, and more on this New Sounds program. We'll hear the latest release from Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra, one of Bamako's most popular bands. Their name refers to a balance between tradition and progress, and their contagiously danceable tunes range from age-old Mandé standards to Cuban-Senegalese salsa. Then there's the driving and energetic "West African Snap," by the World Saxophone Quartet, a most unusual jazz combo, who have been playing together for nearly 30 years, and whose repertoire has ranged from blues to funk, to an album of Jimi Hendrix covers in addition to their latest release, "Political Blues." [Worth mentioning, even though we won't hear any of it on this New Sounds, "Political Blues" is an eloquent musical statement which seethes in anger at the Bush administration's handling of New Orleans relief, homeland security, and racial issues (Justin Time Records.)] There's also music from Bourkina Faso by singer and djembe (a drum carved from a tree trunk) master Amadou Kienou Plus, selections from the final recording by Ali Farka Touré called "Savane."

PROGRAM # 2574, “West African Snap” (First aired on Wed. 7/26/06)

ARTIST(S)	RECORDING	CUT(S)	SOURCE
World Saxophone Quartet	Ballads and Dances	West African Snap [3:00]	Nonesuch #79164** www.nonesuch.com *
World Saxophone Quartet & African Drums	Metamorphosis	Lullaby [5:00]	Nonesuch #79258** www.nonesuch.com *
Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra	Boulevard de L’independence	Mamadou Diaby [6:30]	World Circuit/ Nonesuch #79953** www.nonesuch.com *
Ali Farka Toure	Savane	Erdi [4:30]	World Circuit/ Nonesuch #79965** www.nonesuch.com *
Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate	In The Heart Of The Moon	Hawa Dolo [5:00]	World Circuit/ Nonesuch #79920** www.nonesuch.com *
Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate	Kulanjan	Mississippi-Mali Blues [3:00]	Hannibal #1444** www.rykodisc.com *
Amadou Kienou & Son Ensemble Foteban	Taabali	Ouagadougou Kalou [5:30]	Felmay #8108 www.felmay.it*
Kronos Quartet	Pieces of Africa	Obo Addy: Wawshishijay [5:00]	Nonesuch #79275** www.nonesuch.com *
Ketama & Toumani Diabate & Jose Soto	Songhai 2	Mali Sajio [5:00]	Hannibal #1383** www.rykodisc.com *

*, ** - Find the recordings you've heard - go to the New Sounds Recordings Information page