‘Doncomodja’ by Moussa Diakite & Wassado is Eastside Radio’s Album of the Week.
This week we bring you the sounds of West Africa by an artist who has been creating and playing music for over three decades now. Moussa Diakite knows exactly how the Australian crowd like their world sounds as he practically calls Australia home since moving here in 1994. Playing modern Malian music, Moussa is no stranger to the stage as he was a part of Mali’s generation of pioneering musicians in the 1970’s and 80’s so I wouldn’t be surprised if you have come across this very talented man before.
A master on the guitar with superb vocals and unique songwriting Diakite brings it all. Through the years he has played for a number of artist’s and bands such as Toumani Diabate’s Yanga Orchestra, Salif Keita who is widely known across the globe as the “Golden Voice of Africa”, and several other big names in the music industry. With extensive touring around the world including shows at the Sydney Opera House Moussa Diakite then decided that Australia was his new found love and was going to promote and deliver his other love here and that is, the sounds of Africa.

It was only last month that he released this brand new album at Venue505. It is an album that brings the sounds of the world here to Sydney. Having been recorded in his home country of Mali and mixed and mastered in Paris it still has some Australian talent involved as he brought his Sydney band Wassado back to Mali with him. Making up this fine band is Magdalene Mira on percussion and vocals, Len Simper on rhythm guitar and vocals, Ben Kidson on the drums and Nemo Lynn on bass guitar so with such a mixture of talent Diakite knew going into this latest release that it was going to be something special.
Across 11 tracks we get a lovely listening experience that transports us to the West of Africa. All tracks have that uplifting free spirit vibe to them, a track that really shows off Moussa’s guitar skills and will leave you thinking your listening to a deep deep blues track from the 80’s is ‘Wariko’, starting off with some sweet strings off the electric guitar and the bass backing it up it is a perfect song to put in coming up mid-way in the record. If you like your drums then a track that is a must listen to hear what passion has gone into the piece is ‘Atoh’ that brings in the female vocals of Magdalene Mira. Our final pick is a lovely subtle number that takes it down a notch is ‘Miniamba’, the perfect one to put on for some relaxing.
If you love your world sounds and especially love your rhythm then this is an album that is defiantly worth checking out. As Moussa is no stranger to the guitar or singing you can tell when listening to this release that it was done with the listener in mind and with love throughout. It will make you start tapping your feet and leave you feeling energised by the sounds of Africa.