FULGENCE COMPAORE - DJEMBE & DJEMBEFOLA

The musician, percussionist, composer et arranger, Fulgence Compaore was born on 2 September 1975 at Adjamé (Côte d’Ivoire), where his parents were living at that time. At the age of six he returned to Burkina Faso to learn the traditions of the Mossi (the ethnic group to which he belongs). His grandmother, Korogo Ado, was a great musician at the court of the Larlé Naaba (the traditional chief of the Mossi), and she passed on her knowledge to him. By the age of ten Fulgence Compaore was playing the djembe at baptism ceremonies. In 1995 he formed the group Nong Taaba Percussions, which gave several very successful performances in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. In 1999 the group played at the midsummer music festival in Miramas (France) and toured southern France. In 2000 and 2001 Fulgence Compaore was invited by the organisers to take part as a musician in the Amiens International Film Festival, giving performances before and after the films. He received an ovation at every performance. ‘Reggae, ragga and percussion all denounce calamities and social evils, and call for equality and justice. The artists taking part in this album – all of them well known to the general public in Africa – aim to put over a strong message, notably in the fight against racism, and to make a contribution to the evolution of African music, and particularly that of Burkina Faso.’ Fulgence Compaore helps to promote the music of Burkina in other countries, including France, where he teaches the djembe to young children, and organises courses for older children and adults. This album was released in 2001 in Burkina Faso and Mali, where it was a great success. In 2005 the album goes international.

Tracks and Samples:

1. Warba foli (3:56)
2. Bété foli (3:55)
3. Tambour des ancêtres (4:09)
4. Djembé kan (3:28)
5. Maraka fulgence (3:37)
6. Boolayamba (6:08)
7. Wolofodon foli (5:15)
8. Sougri soabaso (4:13)
9. Dounia nongayamba (4:11)
10. Delvalle foli (5:27)
11. Dembadon foli (4:49)
12. Poésie musicale (7:38)
13. Djansa foli (5:51)
14. Dounia nongayamba (4:32)
15. Boolayamba ii (6:03)