Scheduled to perform at the 2008 WOMAD festival, Nigerien gurumi master, Malam Maman Barka, presents his first album to be released outside of Niger. Guidan Haya, one of our most exciting world music releases for 2008, is a pure gem; the album includes a number of the songs that have made Barka such a beloved songwriter at home as well as earning him more and more recognition abroad. An accomplished teacher, musician and poet, Barka has been performing music professionally on the gurumi (a two-stringed instrument with a calabash shell body and iguana skin head) for over twenty years. With more than 250 compositions to his credit, bridging both traditional and contemporary music styles, Barka has created a musical sound world that not only speaks to Nigeriens but to world music connoisseurs around the globe.
Tamara - CD Baby
(May 23, 2008)