When we think of Mali, the music that often comes to mind is the languorous, lulling blues of Ali Farka Toure or Boubacar "Kar Kar" Traoré. Ben Zabo (birth name Arouna Moussa Coulabily) is a unique voice among contemporary Malian musicians. With the self-titled Ben Zabo (released in June 2012 in the United States) he has created an electrifying and unexpected debut CD, which pulsates with energy and moves far away from slow blues.
Ben’s strong vocals and lead guitar guide this big band sound that fuses the traditional music of the Bwa people (his ethnic group) with contemporary rock. It was promoted in the press release as Malian Afrobeat, but that description does not do the music justice. The CD is reminiscent of the big band sound of seventies Mali, with innovative groups such as Super Djata Band who mixed traditional instruments with modern electrics.
From the opening track, "Wari Vo," there is an urgent excitement as Ben sings "Wari Vo, Wari Vo..." with force across the steady undercurrent of drumbeat and punctuating horns. The music is funky and uptempo with the lead guitar taking over at times to solo.
In a recent interview, Ben described the Bwa people. "They never accepted slavery, never accepted to be under the dominance of a power like a King, Emperor...that's why there has never been a Bwa kingdom. They always fought for their freedom. They were rebels against French colonization." As the only musician representing the Bwa people on an international level, Ben now fights for them.
He sees his mission as to preserve, promote, and bring recognition to Bwa culture worldwide.
The Bwa live alongside the Niger river on the border between Mali and Burkina Faso. They number approximately 400,000 people. They are often treated as "second-class citizens" with less access to work and with no positions in government. Although the songs are sung in Bwa, Ben is keen to explain, "In most of the songs, I speak about peace and love. Without love and respect, there is no way for Africa to develop. Political leaders must change. I am speaking about unity, unity of the Bwa people, but also of all people. If we are not together, life becomes difficult. Every human being has a right to their destiny." Ben is tall, thin, and impassioned. "Something to understand is that Bwa music is a powerful, driven music. Because the people farm and work hard, Bwa rhythms are strong and connected to work, to push them forward."
Many of the CD’s tracks have this propelling, driven energy. It can be felt in particular on the track "Sènsèbo." The word "sènsèbo" means "let's dance together in harmony." A highly danceable track, the balafon keeps a steady undercurrent, while Ben sings with full force and his guitar carries a bluesy feel. This song is in homage of Dounaké Koita, who was a Bwa musician, popular in the 1990’s. Ben describes him as a personal hero who fought for and “did a lot to reveal Bwa culture. He was a musician who loved to dance and to encourage others to dance. In our custom when we pay homage to someone deceased, we do the thing he liked to do when he was alive.”
Ben continues the tradition of his hero by keeping the music and customs of his people alive. His music is powerful, propulsive, and unstoppable.
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