Timeless throwback to the golden era of West African music, in a live recording of a little known bar band playing in contemporary Bamako, Mali that feels like an unearthed classic.

This recording pays tribute to one of the most intoxicating and globally recognized genres from Mali: the West African “orchestras” from the late 1960s and 1970s. Blending soulful vocals, psychedelic infused solos, and invigorating rhythms, the golden age of Malian music gave rise to Salif Keita, Kante Manfila, and Mady Casse. While these sounds are often heard through archival recordings from another era, the spirit of the tradition lives on today in the hidden neighborhood bars of Bamako.

Led by Mohamed Doumbia (of Orchestre Badema), the group plays weekly residencies at No Limit in Bamako - concerts that start well after midnight and continue for hours. Performing for an older audience, Doumbia belts out unwavering vocals, voyaging through both classics and traditional epics in a hypnotic journey. He’s joined by a supergroup of musicians, featuring standout guitarist Adama Dramé and Baba Coulibaly. Highlights include “Nama,” with its heavy, nostalgic, fuzzy guitar, and the high-energy percussive of “Kouyaté".