Mali: Afel Bocoum’s Lindé tops Transglobal World Music Chart

Founded in 2015, the chart runs with the goal of building a network of international music critics actively involved in world, roots and traditional music. Aside from propagating world music, it also looks to “facilitate artists to be included, regardless of geographical barriers, based on merit and talent rather than popularity, big productions or record sales.” The chart is released monthly and at the end of the year.

Tunisia’s Ammar 808 came in at second with Global Control / Invisible Invasion while Persian vocalist Mahsa Vahdat (Enlighten the Night), Ethiopian-Australian collective Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience (To Know Without Knowing) and Mongolian folk ensemble Khusugtun (Jangar) came third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Vahdat’s album was No 1 last month, before it was dethroned by Lindé. Global Control / Invisible Invasions also makes its debut on the chart, while To Know Without Knowing previously occupied the No 2 spot.

Other top 40 occupants are Nigeria’s BANTU with Everybody Get Agenda, Palestinian-Jordanian electronic group 47Soul with Semitics, Al Bilali Soudan with Tombouctou and Bamba Wassoulou Groove with Dankélé.

Afel Bocoum’s Lindé was released on British record label World Circuit. Damon Albarn and Nick Gold are credited as executive producers on the album. Guests include Malian musicians Madou Kouyaté, the late Hama Sankaré and Madou Sidiki Diabaté, among others, as well as the recently departed Afrobeat great Tony Allen.

Bocoum’s storied career can be traced back to his teenage days. His first album Alkibar was released in 1999 after decades of recording and touring with desert blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré. His other albums include 2006's Niger and 2009's Tabital Pulaaku.

View the full top 40 chart here.