Jama Ko
by Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 26
  3. Negative: 8 out of 26

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  1. jake_gibbs
    Sep 7, 2013
    3
    For fans only. Like probably 99+% of metacritic users I know nothing about this style of music, so i cant tell if these guys are the rolling stones or the milli vanilli of the genre. but for the most part, while the music is pretty in parts, i found the vocals annoying to unlistenable. i try to keep my mind open, but this album did not whet my appetite in wanting to explore African music.For fans only. Like probably 99+% of metacritic users I know nothing about this style of music, so i cant tell if these guys are the rolling stones or the milli vanilli of the genre. but for the most part, while the music is pretty in parts, i found the vocals annoying to unlistenable. i try to keep my mind open, but this album did not whet my appetite in wanting to explore African music. Why do critics always swoon over anything that's international or a re-issue?… Expand

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Record Collector
    Jun 4, 2013
    80
    Kouyate has recorded more consistent albums than this but, as a statement of defiance, Jama Ko could be his most important work.
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  2. Sputnikmusic
    May 29, 2013
    70
    Jama Ko is, for twelve of its thirteen songs, political in the best way, using a deeply focused aesthetic both to engage with and as a momentary escape from the social environment which produced it.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Apr 29, 2013
    80
    Ngoni Ba was already remarkable for its plucked, pointillist modal grooves, and on Jama Ko, its passionate defense of Malian culture makes the music even sharper.
    Read full review
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