Mali was the country which kickstarted Damon Albarn’s love affair with African music in earnest when he visited there in late 2000, and now he’s returned to record with a new generation of Malian musicians. Just over a year after the Africa Express train tour across Britain, Albarn and a host of collaborators – including Brian Eno, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner and UK rapper Ghostpoet – arrived in Bamako, where they set up shop in a local youth club for a week of musical exploration.
Maison des Jeunes does a fine job of exhibiting the eclecticism of Malian music, with ‘Rapou Kanou’ – produced by Albarn and London groove technician One Inch Punch – showcasing the powerful Arabic vocals of Tal B Halala, Ghostpoet hooking up with talking drum band Doucoura to electrifying effect on ‘Season Change’, and singer Kankou Kouyate excelling on the soulful ‘Yamore’.
Best of all is the rocking ‘Soubour’, performed by Zinner and Songhoy Blues, a band that formed in response to the musical ban imposed by Islamic rebels during the Malian civil war. Built around some irresistible guitar riffs, the song is a brilliant slice of desert blues, and superbly incorporates the sort of rock-style grooves which are actually quite common in Malian music.
A fascinating insight into the strength of the Malian music scene, Maison des Jeunes is also an important cultural snapshot of a country still emerging from a turbulent period.

Key Track: 'Soubour'