DESCRIPTION
Idrissa Soumaoro and L’Eclipse De L’I.J.A.’s sought-after 1978 album Le Tioko-Tioko is a true treasure from Mali’s musical golden age. Long celebrated by collectors and DJs alike, this legendary LP was originally released in East Germany via the state-owned label Eterna and distributed exclusively by the Malian Association for the Blind. Recorded at Radio Mali with the renowned engineer Boubacar Traoré, Le Tioko-Tioko was never released commercially, making original copies exceptionally rare.
Now officially reissued by Mr Bongo, this captivating album is brought back to life for new generations to enjoy. The music blends hypnotic organ riffs and Malian rhythms with a raw, funk-infused edge, capturing a little-known but sonically rich facet of Malian music. Tracks like the transcendent ‘Djama’ (meaning "society"), the joyful ‘Nissodia’, and the spiritually powerful ‘Fama Allah’ reveal the band’s deep social and emotional engagement through music.
Originally highlighted on Mr Bongo’s The Original Sound Of Mali compilation in 2017 and later revisited via a re-edit of ‘Nissodia’ by Mike D (Beastie Boys) in 2020, Le Tioko-Tioko now gets the full reissue it deserves. This is more than just a rare album—it’s a vital piece of Malian cultural heritage that finally receives the attention and reach it was long due.
TRACKLIST
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Fama Allah
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Djama
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Beni Inikanko
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Nissodia
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Ben
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Bimoko