Executive production - Lucille Reyboz, Yusuke Nakanishi et Laurent Bizot
A&R - Laurent Bizot
Artwork - Jérôme Witz from a photo by Lucille Reyboz
Graphic design - Element(s)
Salif Keita - Guitar, Voice, Simbi on Proud
Badié Tounkara - Ngoni on Awa, Chérie, Soundiata
Mamadou Kone dit “Prince” - Tama on Awa, Calabash on Chérie, Soundiata
Clément Petit - Cello on Chérie, Awa
Julia Sarr, Olyza Zamati - Background vocals on Tassi
Recorded by Julien Reyboz at the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto,
Japan, April 18- 21, 2023, except
- Aboubakrin, Kanté Manfila recorded by Julien Reyboz at Ohm Sweet Ohm studio, Paris, on September 11, 2023
- Tu vas me manquer, Proud recorded by Abou Cissé at Moffou Studio, Bamako, Mali, on january 6, 2024
Awa, Tassi,Chérie, Tu vas me manquermixed by Yoan Jauneaud at studio Kasbah, La Grange, Causse de la Selle (FR)
Aboubakrin, Kanté Manfila, Soundiata, Laban, Proud mixed by Bertrand Fresel at JunoStudio, Yerres (FR)
Mastered by Alexis Bardinet at Globe AudioMastering, Bordeaux (FR)
All songs written and composed by Salif Keita
All songs published by Nø Førmat! except Tassi (Universal Music Publishing), Laban, Tu vas me manquer (Delabel Editions)
Co-Produced by Nø Førmat! and KYOTOPHONIE
℗ & © 2025, Nø Førmat! / KYOTOPHONIE
The legendary singer Salif Keita makes a grand return with So Kono, an acoustic and deeply intimate album.
Salif Keita, "the golden voice of Africa," reveals himself for the first time in a stripped-down acoustic format, reconnecting with his roots and his guitar, his long-time companion instrument.
The idea of an acoustic album had long been dismissed by the artist himself. "I’m not a guitarist; I use the guitar to compose," he used to say, reluctant to expose this level of vulnerability. However, in 2023, during the Kyotophonie Festival in Japan, organized by photographer Lucille Reyboz and encouraged by producer Laurent Bizot (Nø Førmat!), something changed. Surrounded by the spirituality of a Zen temple and supported by his loyal musicians – Badié Tounkara on ngoni and Mamadou Koné on percussion – Salif agreed to bare himself like never before. The title So Kono, meaning “in the room” in Mandinka, reflects both the simplicity and depth of this album.
Recorded in the intimacy of his hotel room in Kyoto, 'So Kono' captures the very essence of Salif Keita: a powerful voice, shaped by trials and travels, elevated by minimalist arrangements. Blending reimagined classics and new compositions, this album resonates as a sincere and timeless work, reaffirming why Salif Keita is considered one of the greatest living singers, across all cultures and continents.
