Africa Mia

In 1964, the new Bamako government selected ten musicians from different regional orchestras to receive conservatory training in Cuba following an invitation by Castro’s government. The students would go on to form Las Maravillas de Mali, who became early pioneers of Afro-Cuban music. On their 1968 self-titled album, the band recorded a mix of charanga, sonmontuno, boogaloo, bolero, chachachá, danzón and guaracha with a melodic string section and twin flutes, with vocals in Spanish, Bambara, and French. This updated edition includes all original tracks, including the  hit song “Rendez-vous Chez Fatimata”, plus several new recordings with guest vocals by Guinean singer Mory Kanté.