Aboubakar Traoré, a master of the Kamélé ngoni and a gifted singer from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, excels in revitalising the rich traditions of the Mandingo griots. He collaborates with top musicians such as Zonatan Dembélé on bass, Guillaume Codutti on percussion, Geoffrey Desmet on balafon and djembé, and Désiré Somé on electric guitar. Together in his band Balima, they merge traditional sounds with a broad spectrum of musical influences.

Their newest single, “Gnani,” recently unveiled by Zephyrus Records, displays this melding of styles, where the traditional rhythms of Burkina Faso’s music blend with contemporary jazz and progressive harmonies to create a sound that respects its origins while engaging with global musical trends. The complex rhythms of the Kamélé ngoni anchor the track, with bass lines and electric guitar riffs adding to its wide appeal.

This release highlights Balima’s dedication to both preserving and advancing the West African Mandingue musical heritage, establishing “Gnani” as an important addition to their discography.

Listen to and get your copy of the single HERE