Guitarist Diely Moussa Kouyate, originally from Guinean, but grew up in Mali, has two nicknames. That of 'President' refers to its calm appearance and distinguished appearance, that of 'Mandingo Pressure Cooker' refers to its astonishing technique and rhythmic virtuosity. As a scion of the griot caste of troubadours and storytellers, he was already destined to become a musician. Both his parents
… played in the famous L'Ensemble Instrumental Du Mali and he started as a balafon player at an early age and switched to the guitar as a teenager. The in-demand accompanist's career began as a guitarist in the famous Bamako Rail Band. He then worked for several years in Guinea and Ivory Coast. Because his mastery of Mandingo rhythms was highly appreciated in Paris, he decided to stay there. After several years with Mory Kanté, Kouyate has held the honorable position as rhythm guitarist in Salif Keita's band since 1999. On the album Le Temps, Kouyate plays the lead for once, and guest artists were happy to join him, including Salif Keita, Abdoulaye Diabaté and Kanté Manfila. Besides some traditional songs, funky mandingo beat music can be heard. (SvdP)more