The single got me thinking, if FLY Global Music was a Radio DJ we’d be a cross between Charlie Gillett (he of the recent Sound of the World compilation), Gilles Peterson (10 years at Radio 1 with a new compilation on Far Out Recordings Brazilika coming soon), Carlos Nino (10 years at KPMK this year) and Radio 1’s Sunday Best, Rob da Bank (he of his book , A-Z of Festivals).

So after Amadou & Mariam’s main stage performance at Glastonbury on Sunday, what better combination of than a Rob (real name Gorman if you’re looking for the answer to this months’ quiz question in Songlines) da Bank remix of ‘Masitéladi’ taken from the album Welcome To Mali.

Just to prove that I’m not too upset with Mr. da Bank after the FLY interview didn’t (after we featured his excellent book) his excellent compilation, Sci-Fi-Lo-Fi Vol. 3 (Shoegazing 1985 - 2007), his remix is a house orientated dub that is more than rather impressive; definitely one for the Blue Room chilll of a Bestival. Hardly a surprise as on his Radio 1 show, Rob as likely to play any track off new The Mars Volta album Octahedron as The Heavy’s new killer single, ‘Sixteen’ or from his own label, the Dub Pistols or Lucky Elephant (who?) as a Amadou & Mariam remix.

Amadou & Mariam have been lucky with remixers, as you’ll recall ‘Coulibaly’ from their previous album and to round off this set, we find they’ve returned to Mo DJ (who remixed ‘La Réalité’) who’s done a bit of a Afro-rock Tinariwen mix. Fans will recall he did a killer set at MoMo’s and Big Chill (following on after Guy Morley and Glyn ‘Bigga’ Bush) last year; a bit of a tall order but that was a huge afternoon that was!

All three version are hot but not heard Charlie Gillett, Gilles Peterson or Carlos Nino play them yet; Carlos has the excuse that he’s off air on business in New York but come on you guys, this is the spirit of Africa!

No surprise to find that next up Amadou & Mariam are supporting Blur at Hyde Park on 3rd July which is an excuse to mention that Damon Albarn’s cover disc compilation on the July Uncut features loads of world music stars including his mate Tony Allen (check out the FLY podcast HERE).

And the video is great also:-

Reviewed: Amadou & Mariam - Masiteladi (Remixes) (Because Music) Cat. No. Release date: 29th June 2009
Tracklistng:
1. Masiteladi (Album Version) (3:56)
2. Masiteladi (Rob da Bank Remix) (4:27)
3. Masiteladi (Mo DJ Remix) (4:20)

Links:
www.myspace.com/robdabank
www.amadou-mariam.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank
www.myspace.com/robdabank
www.mo-dj.com
www.manuchao.net
Songlines - June 2009 £4.25 www.songlines.co.uk 5 Tracks from Rob da Bank’s Playlist inc. Amadou & Mariam - Sabali (Paul Epworth Remix) p7 Interview with Jane Cornwell “da Bank put Chao’s then collaborators Amadou & Mariam on the bill at Bestival”
Uncut July 2009 : Music Is Your Radar Rare & Unreleased tracks from Damon Albarn’s Record Label, Honest Jons. £4.50 www.uncut.co.uk
Masiteladi (feat. M) English translation
You’re free to go, the way is clear.
You can move, life is so beautiful.
You’re free to go, the way is clear.

You’ve lost your job in this life.
Your wife has gone because of it.
You’ve lost your family in this life.
Eh! Your friends left you because of it.
Life is a lesson.
You can’t stay, you have to move on.
In this life, you have to redeem yourself.

You’re free, the way is clear.
You must carry on, life is so beautiful.

Your marriage is ruined.
Your true love is over.
Your friendship is lost.

You can’t stay, you have to move on.
And redeem yourself.
You’ve lost your job.
Don’t make it worse, or no-one will help you.

Your wife has left you
Don’t enter the maze, no-one is going to help you out.
You’ve lost your family
Don’t make it worse, or no-one will help you.

Go on!
Go, go!

Amadou & Mariam

You’re free, the way is clear.
You can move, life is so beautiful.
You can go, your way is clear.
You can move, life is so beautiful