In 1974, when fusion between western and traditional African music was still just a wish to be fulfilled, a young man from Mali found himself in Copenhagen with an electric bass. Moussa Diallo had left his native country to seek out possibilities in the far north. The oldest son of a Danish mother and a Malian father had already earned his first musical experiences playing in various dancing bands in Mali.
Moussa with SneakersOn his arrival in Denmark the young bass player immediately captured the attention of the established Danish rock scene with his fierce, grooving and always convincing approach to his instrument. Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s Moussa Diallo set fire to prominent Danish rock/fusion bands like Sneakers, Skunk Funk, Savage Rose and many others. He was also the leading rhythmical force when famed singer Anne Linnet formed her revolutionary band Marquis de Sade in 1983. For the past ten years Moussa Diallo has been an indispensable member of renowned Danish singer/composer Hanne Boel’s group on stage as well as in the studio.
Besides being a prominent member of the said bands, Moussa Diallo generously shared his musical visions with other musicians, bass players in particular, helping them become skilled in basic rhythms and contrapuntal within the beat. During his early years as a musician Moussa Diallo played by sense and feel - written music was not his cup of tea. He still is not too comfortable with given forms and sheet music, but has a rare gift of being able to define the heart of the music and put his feel into it. Moussa Diallo’s playing is always recognizable, his lines fit the music like a glove and his powerful groove provides any format with raw energy and a complete understanding of the basic elements in the music.
Moussa Diallo has influenced many Danish bass players. He is an extremely respected and admired music personality of the Danish music scene, not only because of his achievements as a musician, but also because of the human warmth and gentleness that he projects.
Moussa Diallo has released a number of solo albums, all of them showing his diversified approach to music. Already in the albums "Diallo" (1992) and "Amora" (1997) you can clearly sense his African roots in the music. But you also hear influences from artists like James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Prince. But above all, you have the opportunity to listen to a great bass player laying down the grooves combining sincere feelings with sublime musicianship.
The KinkÉliba Project
During recent years Moussa Diallo has concentrated more on performing and recording his own compositions with a stronger focus on the African sounds. He has brought together some of the very best West African artists currently living in Denmark with some of the country’s top musicians launching "The Kinkéliba Project". This diverse constellation musically reflects the cosmopolitan reality of today and challenges cultural traditions in music by creating a significant new sound.
The Kinkéliba Project is planned as a trilogy. The first CD was also recorded in a live version at Copenhagen Jazzhouse (2001) and the second album "Chiwara" was published in 2002. The final part of the musical journey is currently being recorded with the working title "Funky Monster".
In 2001 Moussa made a documentary film about going back to his roots in Mali, together with filmmaker Robert Grant Larsen. The film is also a musical meeting between Moussa and Malian musicians like Toumani Diabaté, Habib Koite, Amadou & Mariam and many more. The film "Kinkéliba - A Musical Journey" has been shown on both Danish and French TV. An English version of the film is also available.
The aim of "The Kinkéliba Project" is to invite soloists from different cultural backgrounds, leading to an experience where musical communication knows no boundaries. An example is the concert at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival at Tivoli in July 2000, which was a joint venture between Moussa Diallo and the internationally renowned Danish trumpet player Palle Mikkelborg. At this occasion the English born harpist Helen Davies also joined the project.
Diallo's 7th release "Reflections" (2005) features four compositions by Moussa Diallo with prominent guest artists and was composed for an art exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark..
Concerts and story telling for Children
The songs on the album "Chiwara" were inspired by the African story-telling tradition and the stories of Moussa Diallo's own father in particular. Moussa himself is also a great story teller and he especially enjoys the young audience. In several different constellations and projects he has toured schools in the Scandinavian countries with his songs and an entertaining show.
Maninda
Moussa Diallo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maninda dongili dalaw maninda, nétè dowèrè dadè
Maninda dongili dalaw maninda, nétè dowèrè dadè
Kononi kélé ya kili kélé da, jalani kélé koro
Tièni kélé taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
Kononi fila you kili fila da, jalani fila koro
Tièni fila taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
Kononi saba ya kili saba da, jalani saba koro
Tièni saba taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
Kononi nani you kili nani da, jalani nani koro
Tièni nani taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
Maninda...
Otata léglé woché, ounou baji niguè wagou
Wagou niguè, wagou, wa wagou niguè wagou
Otata léglé woché, ounou baji niguè wagou
Wagou niguè, wagou, wa wagou niguè wagou
N'wélé, N'wélé. N'wélé jarabi N'wélé
N'wélé, N'wélé. N'wélé jarabi N'wélé
Tiè yé kurusi ba do ka centiri waro kan, éeee
Èee jama aw salam alaikum, malaikum salam, éeee
Jon yé kurusi ba do ka centiri waro kan, éeee
Èee jama aw salam alaikum, malaikum salam, éeee'
The song Maninda by Moussa Diallo is a beautiful and soul-stirring Malian tune. The repeated chorus "Maninda dongili dalaw maninda, nétè dowèrè dadè" roughly translates to "Maninda, come closer my dear, let me hold you." The song is about people coming together, communicating, bonding and dancing. The rhythm of the song is smooth and vibrant, making it perfect for dancing.
Throughout the song, Diallo uses a number of metaphors to describe the importance of communication and connection. The verse "Kononi kélé ya kili kélé da, jalani kélé koro" translates to "When you dance, we all dance, we come together." The verse "Kononi saba ya kili saba da, jalani saba koro" means "When you sing, we all sing, we unite." These metaphors are used to show that people need to come together and communicate in order to enjoy life to the fullest. Additionally, the line "N'wélé, n'wélé, n'wélé jarabi N'wélé" shows the importance of music and dance in bringing people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Maninda dongili dalaw maninda, nétè dowèrè dadè
Maninda is the name of the singer's beloved, whom he is calling out to.
Kononi kélé ya kili kélé da, jalani kélé koro
The singer is asking his beloved if they are happy or sad, and if they want him to come closer.
Tièni kélé taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
He promises to bring them joy and peace, in the name of Bismillah (in the name of God).
Kononi fila you kili fila da, jalani fila koro
He asks his beloved about their clothes and if the clothes make them happy, and if they want him to come closer.
Tièni fila taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
He promises to bring them joy and peace, in the name of Bismillah (in the name of God).
Kononi saba ya kili saba da, jalani saba koro
He asks his beloved about their health, and if they want him to come closer.
Tièni saba taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
He promises to bring them joy and peace, in the name of Bismillah (in the name of God).
Kononi nani you kili nani da, jalani nani koro
He asks his beloved about their family, and if they want him to come closer.
Tièni nani taro soroyé, a yo laminè Bismillah
He promises to bring them joy and peace, in the name of Bismillah (in the name of God).
Otata léglé woché, ounou baji niguè wagou
The singer repeats the chorus, which is sung in the Malinke language and has no official translation. It is said to be a joyful message that inspires people to dance.
Wagou niguè, wagou, wa wagou niguè wagou
The repeated chorus serves as a call-and-response that encourages people to join in and dance.
N'wélé, N'wélé. N'wélé jarabi N'wélé
Another joyful call-and-response that the singer encourages the audience to participate in. The meaning is unknown.
Tiè yé kurusi ba do ka centiri waro kan, éeee
The singer invites everyone to sit and rest, while he continues to sing.
Èee jama aw salam alaikum, malaikum salam, éeee
He greets his audience in a traditional Muslim way, saying peace be upon you, and receiving the response of peace be upon you, as well.
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.