Touré Kunda
An infectious blend of African, Latin, Brazilian, reggae, and pop rhythms made Touré Kunda one of the most successful bands to come out of Senegal. Their 1995 album Paris Ziguinchor sold more than a quarter of a million copies, while their guest harmonies helped to turn "Africa Bamba" into one of the most exciting songs on Santana's nine Grammy Award-winning 1999 album Supernatural.
Initially based in the Casamance region of southwest Senegal, Touré Kunda was formed by brothers Amadou, Ismaïla, and Sixu Touré to perform at the traditional Senegalese coming-of-age ceremony, Djamba Dong. They added the name "Kunda" from the Soninké word for "family." Although they played Indigenous African instruments -- including kora, balafon, and sabar -- at first, the band increasingly adopted Western instruments including guitars, electric bass, and synthesizer. Relocating to Paris in 1979, Touré Kunda continued to stir audiences with a mbalax- and reggae-influenced dance music that they dubbed "djambaadong." The band performed for Nelson Mandela during his first trip to France in 1982; this performance marked one of the original group's final shows. A year later, oldest brother and bandleader Amadou Touré suffered a fatal heart attack. After performing a memorial concert and recording a tribute album, 1983's Amadou Tilo, the remaining members agreed to continue working together, and younger brother Ousmane was added to the group. Ismaïla Touré died in Paris on February 27, 2023, at the age of 73.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
Discography
18 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Paris-Ziguinchor (Live)
World - Released by SOULBEATS RECORDS on 1 Jan 1984
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Emma Africa
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jan 1980
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Sili Beto
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jun 1992
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Natalia
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 8 May 1985
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Amadou Tilo
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jul 1983
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Casamance Au Claire De Lune
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 17 Jun 1984
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Sounké
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jun 1991
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Salam
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jun 1990
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Toubab Bi
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jan 1986
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Mouslai
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 31 Dec 1996
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Mandinka Dong
World - Released by SOULBEATS RECORDS on 8 Oct 2019
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Santhiaba
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 12 May 2008
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Turu
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jan 1981
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Giants of Afro-Pop
Touré Kunda, Franco, Tpok Jazz
World - Released by BCD - 3RDP on 21 Jun 2012
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Terra Saabi
World - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 1 Jan 2000
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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Manso
Disco - Released by Virgin Music Africa LAS (S&D) on 30 May 2022
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo