Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia have been making music together since they first met and fell in love at the Institute for Young Blind People in Bamako, Mali’s capital, in the mid-1970s. They have been married and performing as a duo since 1980. While their music is based in a Malian-style blues, it has evolved to include a diversity of styles: French folk, Cuban son, reggae and hip-hop, among others. Their success has recently grown beyond Mali’s borders to other African countries and Europe. In 2003, renowned musician Manu Chao invited Amadou & Mariam to record with him, and the result is Dimanche à Bamako (Sunday in Bamako). The album, which was released in France earlier this year, has been a major breakthrough for the duo, reaching the top of the French album chart, earning a Gold certification, and winning a Les Victoires de la Musique award. Nonesuch Records released Dimanche à Bamako in 2005.

“The album spends a full hour swinging from strength to strength, and by the time it’s over, it’s clear that it would be a crime if it didn’t rocket Amadou & Mariam straight to stardom. Rating: 8.0--Pitchfork

“Like the lovebirds in the Arcade Fire, this blind Malian twosome proves that marriage can rock. Produced by postnational punk Manu Chao, this disc ups the volume on the duo’s hypnotic electro-folk…”--Spin

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