So Kono, by Salif Keita

So Kono

by Salif Keita

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Family Feet May 2025-Warm and beautiful. Favorite track: Aboubakrin.

toriakat Soothing and calming voice! Favorite track: Tassi.

Mona, Ismaël, Pierre & Mathilde thumbnail

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FACE A

1. Aboubakrin 4’03
2. Awa 5’27
3. Tassi 4’43
4. Kanté Manfila 4’36

FACE B

1. Chérie 4’01
2. Soundiata 6’53
3. Laban 4’03
4. Tu vas me manquer 4’46
5. Proud 3’45

Includes unlimited streaming of So Kono via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/96kHz.

ships out within 2 days

Purchasable with gift card

€25 EUR or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
1. Aboubakrin 4’03
2. Awa 5’27
3. Tassi 4’43
4. Kanté Manfila 4’36
5. Chérie 4’01
6. Soundiata 6’53
7. Laban 4’03
8. Tu vas me manquer 4’46
9. Proud 3’45

Includes unlimited streaming of So Kono via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/96kHz.

ships out within 2 days

Purchasable with gift card

€15 EUR or more

1.	Aboubakrin 04:03	buy track
2.	Awa 05:27	buy track
3.	Tassi 04:43	buy track
4.	Kanté Manfila 04:38	buy track
5.	Chérie 04:01	buy track
6.	Soundiata 06:51	buy track
7.	Laban 03:52	buy track
8.	Tu vas me manquer 04:48	buy track
9.	Proud 03:44	buy track
10.	Djanfa Di 03:41	buy track
11.	Yamore (acoustic) 03:43	buy track
12.	Tomorrow 04:18	buy track

about

The legendary singer Salif Keita makes a grand return with So Kono, an acoustic and deeply intimate album.

Salif Keita, "the golden voice of Africa," reveals himself for the first time in a stripped-down acoustic format, reconnecting with his roots and his guitar, his long-time companion instrument.

The idea of an acoustic album had long been dismissed by the artist himself. "I’m not a guitarist; I use the guitar to compose," he used to say, reluctant to expose this level of vulnerability. However, in 2023, during the Kyotophonie Festival in Japan, organized by photographer Lucille Reyboz and encouraged by producer Laurent Bizot (Nø Førmat!), something changed. Surrounded by the spirituality of a Zen temple and supported by his loyal musicians – Badié Tounkara on ngoni and Mamadou Koné on percussion – Salif agreed to bare himself like never before. The title So Kono, meaning “in the room” in Mandinka, reflects both the simplicity and depth of this album.

Recorded in the intimacy of his hotel room in Kyoto, 'So Kono' captures the very essence of Salif Keita: a powerful voice, shaped by trials and travels, elevated by minimalist arrangements. Blending reimagined classics and new compositions, this album resonates as a sincere and timeless work, reaffirming why Salif Keita is considered one of the greatest living singers, across all cultures and continents.

credits

released April 11, 2025

Executive production - Lucille Reyboz, Yusuke Nakanishi & Laurent Bizot
A&R - Laurent Bizot
Artwork - Jérôme Witz from a photo by Lucille Reyboz
Graphic design - Element(s)

Salif Keita - Guitar, Voice, Simbi on Proud
Badié Tounkara - Ngoni on Awa, Chérie, Soundiata
Mamadou Kone dit “Prince” - Tama on Awa, Calabash on Chérie, Soundiata
Clément Petit - Cello on Chérie, Awa
Julia Sarr, Olyza Zamati - Background vocals on Tassi

Recorded by Julien Reyboz at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto,
Japan, April 18- 21, 2023, except
- Aboubakrin, Kanté Manfila recorded by Julien Reyboz at Ohm Sweet Ohm studio, Paris, on September 11, 2023
- Tu vas me manquer, Proud recorded by Abou Cissé at Moffou Studio, Bamako, Mali, on january 6, 2024

Awa, Tassi,Chérie, Tu vas me manquermixed by Yoan Jauneaud at studio Kasbah, La Grange, Causse de la Selle (FR)

Aboubakrin, Kanté Manfila, Soundiata, Laban, Proud mixed by Bertrand Fresel at JunoStudio, Yerres (FR)

Mastered by Alexis Bardinet at Globe AudioMastering, Bordeaux (FR)

All songs written and composed by Salif Keita
All songs published by Nø Førmat! except Tassi (Universal Music Publishing), Laban, Tu vas me manquer (Delabel Editions)

℗ & © 2025, Nø Førmat! / KYOTOPHONIE

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Some rights reserved. Please refer to individual track pages for license info.

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Salif Keita Bamako, Mali

"The Golden Voice of Africa." 🇲🇱

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So Kono

by Salif Keita

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Streaming + Download

€7 EUR or more

Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

€25 EUR or more

Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

€15 EUR or more