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Television was recorded intermittently over three years in London and Dakar, the Senegalese capital, and produced jointly by Baaba Maal and Barry Reynolds (Marianne Faithfull, Grace Jones, Antony & The Johnsons) and in part by John Leckie, and mixed by Jerry Boys. Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, and Baaba Maal continue to work together on his Palm Pictures record label.
With its subtle blend of electronic dance elements and timeless West African musical tradition which includes indigenous instruments such as talking drum, djembe and sabar, Television proves to be a gorgeous genre-crossing album. Baaba Maal worked on its eight songs with various musicians, but most specifically with Sciubba and Gutman, who blend electronic dance music with a diversity of eclectic styles.
Not only has Baaba Maal had a rich and accomplished music career, his humanitarian efforts have always been at the forefront of his life. Baaba serves as United Nation Development Programme Youth Emissary and is intimately involved with efforts to uplift the lives of youngsters in West Africa. Baaba Maal will be performing at Mandela Day, July 18, at Radio City Music Hall in New York alongside such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, and many more.
I think the musician's role is to give advice, to warn people, and to make them aware of what they might not have thought of themselves. We use melodies and harmonies to make songs enter your mind." -Baaba Maal
Fall tour plans will be announced shortly.
Track listing for Television:
1. Television
2. Tindo
3. Miracle
4. Cantaloupe
5. A Song For Women
6. International
7. Dakar Moon
8. Tindo Quando