Release Date: 02/10/26 - Moussolou (Turquoise Vinyl)
This record will be released
Moussolou is the debut album by Malian singer Oumou Sangaré, recorded in 1989 and released in 1991. The title means ""Women"" in Bambara, signalling the album's central theme from the outset. Many of the songs draw on Sangaré's own experiences as a woman in a male-dominated society that continues to embrace polygamy.
Artist: Oumou Sangare
Genre: African Jazz/Funk/Psych
Label: BMG
Her lyrics address issues of love, marriage, independence and women's rights with a directness that was both courageous and groundbreaking.
The music was just as revolutionary as the subject matter. Rooted in the powerful, pulse-like rhythms of the traditional Wassoulou sound and centred on the brilliant kamalengoni playing of Bénogo Diakité, Moussolou updated these traditions with modern arrangements and instrumentation that resonated with a new generation of listeners in Mali and across West Africa. Both deeply respectful of tradition and unmistakably contemporary, the album quickly became a major success, launching Sangaré's career while she was still very young.
World Circuit's Nick Gold first encountered Moussolou through a cassette given to him by Ali Farka Touré in Bamako, where the album seemed to be playing everywhere, providing an all-enveloping soundtrack to the city. Captivated by what he heard, Gold was determined to release the album internationally, beginning a long and fruitful relationship with Oumou Sangaré.
The album established Sangaré as both a formidable musical talent and a socially conscious artist, redefining how traditional Malian music could engage with contemporary issues. Its blend of cultural authenticity and fearless advocacy has made Moussolou a landmark recording in African and world music, laying the foundation for Sangaré's enduring reputation as one of the continent's most celebrated artists and a powerful voice for women's rights.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of World Circuit Records, this empowering and influential debut is being reissued on transparent turquoise vinyl. The release also includes a full-colour booklet featuring lyrics in both English and French.
TRACKLIST:
Side A
1. Djama Kaissoumou
2. Diaraby Nene
3. Woula Bara Diagna
Side B
1. Moussolou
2. Diya Gneba
3. Ah Ndiya
About the artist
Oumou Sangaré is a Grammy Award-winning Malian singer, songwriter, and activist who is widely regarded as one of Africa's most influential female voices. Often referred to as the "Songbird of Wassoulou," she is celebrated both for her powerful vocals and for using her music to fiercely champion women's rights and social justice across West Africa.
This 1LP Vinyl LP product is a:
- Limited Edition
- Coloured Vinyl
- Anniversary Edition
If this album is something you would like to buy when it's released, drop us a line on chat@capsulerecords.co.uk or let us know when you are next in store.
