Ambassadeur International – Mandjou
Badmos 1979

It was one of the greatest soloists of Mandingo music. He is best known in our country with the “Ambassadeurs du Motel” in Bamako, and then the “Ambassadors International” based in Côte d’Ivoire. He has been composer and arranger of many hits including Salif Keita “Mandjou”, “Seydou”, “Primpin”, among others. With the group, it will make several times around the world. Born in 1946 in Kankan, guitarist and player of the balafon Emeritus, Kant Manfila will be one of the pillars of the “International Ambassador”, with Salif Keita, Mory Kante and Ousmane Kouyate. Born into a family of griots, Kante Manfila balafon and learns to learn the guitar by himself at the age of 16. In 1967 in Abidjan, he met saxophonist Mali Moussa Cissoko which gives the basics musical (music theory, chords, harmony) and shape to contemporary music. He finds Sory Bamba, former conductor of the Kanaga Mopti, who invited in 1969 to come and play in Mali. Moussa Cissoko persuaded him to join the “Ambassadeurs du Motel,” which later became the conductor. The group hosts one of the finest voices in African music, Salif Keita. In 1978, Kante and Salif Keita Manfila decide to join Abidjan. They founded the “International Ambassador” and sign “Mandjou.” In 1980, both fly to the United States to record two albums: “Primpin” and “Tounkan” then moved to Paris. In 1987, Kant Manfila sign several major albums. “Kankan Blues” recorded in Kankan sheds light on the specific contribution of the cradle in the music Mandingo griot, “Tradition” (1988) revives the Malinke musical development by Mory Kante kora, balafon and Ibrahima Diabaté guitars; “Diniya” (1990) offers a highly orchestrated style “licked” the rhythmic funk bass come to ask his guitar mid-tones Mandingo blues, part rock and brass statements supported by the synths Cheikh Tidiane Seck that render the sounds of the balafon. Kante Manfila is a prolific artist open to other cultures. His song “Denko” (DINI) recorded with the “Little Singers of Paris” in particular demonstrates her great musical versatility. Belonging to the pioneer generation of the famous “guitar hero” Mandingo like Sekou Diabaté Bembeya or our fellow Djelimadi Tounkara, he served as lead guitarist. He accompanied other singers including African Baba Maal and Mory Kante. Kante Manfila has not only performed brilliantly in traditional Manding tradition as “Kanakassi” or “Duga”, but has also tried happily to the original composition. Many of his compositions have now become standards in the countries of the Mandingo tradition. This is the case its title: “Agne Anko.” In 1990, he released a second album “Dunya”. One of its flagship titles, “N’téssé” allows him to occupy the top spot for six months in all the charts in Mali. In the late 90s, he released his album “Kankan blues a” product in Guinea. In 2005 he was awarded the medal of Chevalier of the National Order of Mali by President Amadou Toumani Toure in recognition of his contribution to Malian music in the 70s. He was in the studio for another album to be titled “Agnouma-Thaa”, when death has snatched from the affection of his fans. He leaves behind seven orphans, two widows. Sleep in peace Manfila.
thx moos

In 1978, the Ambassadors (now International) moved to Abidjan, the new cultural capital of West Africa, which gradually eclipse Conakry. They recorded the album Mandjou . In the title track, praises Salif Sekou Toure and his family. The echo of the song is huge all over West Africa. Salif Keita it permeates the aesthetic vocabulary of the griots and praise. Guinean dictator greatly appreciates the piece that fits perfectly into his idea of modernized folk . It gives the singer the medal of Officer of the National Order of Guinea. He also invites some time to stay in Guinea after a tour of ambassadors in the country. The back cover of the album on which Salif Keita Mandjou proudly displays his medal. The singer is called “the song Domingo Mali” in reference to its namesake, the Malian football player who made ​​the heyday of Saint-Etienne and Marseille. In 1984, the death of Sekou Toure, Salif Keita declared ” never a head of state has done as much for music . ” The song is absolutely sublime, but it must have been variously appreciated in Guinea. The tortured Camp Boiro not sharing certainly not for the consideration of Keita Mandjou …

Anonymous has been most eloquent in some excellent text – don’t know where from, but spot-on and well worth the read, so thanks are due. My humble offering, originally from wrldsrv.blogspot.com – an indispensable source for rare African music, the first three Kante Manfla [sic] EPS from 1967, rebundled here, with thanks:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C8WW56GR

Cheers, Dave Sez, musicknitter no. 2 {;-) nauma.