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Jama Ko
by
Jama Ko Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: The third release for Bassekou Kouyate introduces a new group of ngoni players and was co-produced with Howard Bilerman.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Apr 2, 2013
    100
    Two melodies reach back centuries. Strong-voiced frontwoman Amy Sacko delivers the word. And although the ngoni is a mere lute, Kouyate gets more noises you want to hear out of his strings than any two jam-band hotshots you can name.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 13, 2013
    100
    Kouyate's electrification of his ngoni lute is just as effective a sign of resistance: fed through a wah-wah pedal, his serpentine, fleet-fingered lead lines gain a fresh, assertive power on songs.
  3. Exclaim
    Apr 2, 2013
    90
    Although political in nature, the feel of the record is unabashedly joyful and if Jama ko doesn't form part of your summer listening, you are missing out on something very special.
  4. Mojo
    Mar 13, 2013
    80
    An album for anybody who likes rock music to sound angry about something. [Mar 2013, p.89]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. 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.
  6. BBC Music
    Mar 13, 2013
    80
    The n’gonis are always upfront, but this is also an album of stunning vocals.
  7. 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.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. Malimusic
    Mar 26, 2017
    10
    Aggressive album from Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba. While maintaining Malian tradition, Kouyate & Ngoni Ba expand their musical horizons whileAggressive album from Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba. While maintaining Malian tradition, Kouyate & Ngoni Ba expand their musical horizons while addressing complex religious and political issues in Mali.… Expand
  2. 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 rollingFor 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

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2013