Photo by William Farrington

“Not only known for his sui generic guitar tunings and compositional theorems beyond conventional perimeters. Djelimady Tounkara has not only arrived, but is here to stay”
- Quarter Tones Weekly

“He’s stunning fluency and eloquent expression is undeniably a signature and offers
futher proof on his rating as one of the world best guitarists”
- Jack Moore

Mali has one of the most intensely musical cultures in all Africa, and among that country¹s greatest musicians is the guitarist Djelimady Tounkara. While he's not nearly as well known as his compatriot Ali Farka Touré, he has been a driving force in Mali's rich music scene since the early 60s.

The former shepherd and drummer began playing in the local 'Orchestre' in Kita, a town in Western Mali renowned for its musical community. Moving to the capital Bamako he was soon in demand as a solo player at weddings. He keenly absorbed the influence of Cuban and Congolese music from the radio and spent much of the 1960s building his reputation as a player in the bands Misra Jazz and L'Orchestre Nacional du Mali.

By the early '70s he was the lead electric guitarist with the legendary Rail Band, backing first Salif Keita and then Mory Kante. They were the top band in Mali until Kante left at the end of that decade. Despite a handful of superb releases in the 1980s and early '90s the Rail Band¹s popularity faded at home.

Nevertheless, Djelimady maintained an international profile with recordings like Big String Theory by the small group Bajourou. Such was his reputation as a guitarist among those in the know that he was actually invited to join the Buena Vista Social Club on the eve of their historic first session. But he never made it to Cuba on that occasion.

Incredibly, it wasn't until this year that his first solo album was released. Sigui showcases his remarkable finger picking skills in the context of an acoustic ensemble. Tounkara reinterprets old traditional griot tunes and a number of classic songs from the Rail Band years with the help of nine talented singers and instrumentalists. His intricate runs of notes are accompanied by percussion, bass, guitar and the scrabbling notes of the 'ngoni', considered by many to be West African precursor of the banjo.

Fans of Djelimady's inimitable guitar technique have been waiting a long time for this record and few are disappointed with it. - Biography by Jon Lusk (BBC Radio 3)
 
 


Mali's Super Rail Band are the stuff of African legend, certainly one of the most-revered groups ever to emerge from the continent, with guitarist and leader Djelimady Tounkara finally deified as one of the world's guitar heroes. It's a status he cements on Kongo Sigui, if only for his work on "Dakan," where he spirals the excitement higher and higher. But while he's the focus and famous name of the band, it's worth remembering that he's only one member of the group — something he seems to understand more than his fans. And, as on most of their albums, they're a very electric outfit ("Sory" being the unplugged exception, where two guitars and some dizzying kora work interlace beautifully). With four singers — two lead, two backing — the voices offer potent power, which comes to the fore on the aching "Tunga," while the rhythm section offers a strong fluidity that still manages to leave plenty of space for all the musicians — which they use well. There is, naturally, a pair of praise songs, "Sada Diallo" and "Balla Moussa Keita," and the Mande mood that's been the Rail Band's hallmark for over 30 years is still in full, positive effect. They may not release new albums too often, but when they do, they make it count. Like all their work, this is vital.
— Chris Nickson (AMG All Music Guide)
 



1994
 Djougouya Magni Indigo

 1996

Mansa

Indigo

2001

De Bamako


Indigo

2003

Kongo Sigui

Indigo
Complete Discography : As a leader
2002
 Sigui Indigo