User Submitted Album

Dimanche à Bamako

Amadou & Mariam

2005

3.28

Rating

240

Votes

Distribution

World

Album Summary

Dimanche à Bamako (English: Sunday in Bamako) is the fourth album by Malian duo Amadou & Mariam featuring, and produced by, French singer Manu Chao. It was released on the Nonesuch Records label on 2 August 2005. The album features guests such as Ivorian reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly and Italian ska/jazz trumpeter Roy Paci. The album won the BBC Awards for World Music Best Album Award 2006 and helped the duo win the African section of the same awards that year. It was also listed as one of Songlines' 10 best world music albums of the year and was nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.

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Reviews

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Feb 04 2024 Author

👏 I am here for the music not from the US or UK 👏

Feb 02 2024 Author

I think I like this better than Manu Chao's solo album on the list.

Feb 04 2024 Author

Hell yeah let’s go to the beach and listen to Amado and Mariam

Feb 10 2024 Author

very cool, very chill. Good to get out of the UK/US dominance

Feb 01 2024 Author

9/10. Love this, makes me wish I'd actually learned some French from my high school class, but oh well.

Oct 10 2024 Author

I'm glad there's still world music like this in the user section because this shit slapped the same way that songhoy blues slapped. Honestly don't have much else to say about it. I could definitely tell Manu Chao helped out and really liked the first track.

Feb 13 2024 Author

The original list included a certain amount of African music. If this album had been included in the main list, it would have been one of my favorites in the genre. Being said so, I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, as I noticed that many times this kind of inclusion shows a "betrayal" by the artist of their roots in order to appeal more to Western musical sensibilities (like mine). Thanks anyway for providing such an interesting gateway to Mande music

Mar 13 2024 Author

Much variety of rhytms. Fun to listen to. Great album

Sep 26 2024 Author

It just works. The vibe and energy are easily approachable and just make you feel cool. I feel like if you were watching this live, you couldn't help yourself from dancing, head bobbing, and moving to the groove. Greatly enjoyed. I even think the french language works with the style despite not being able to understand anything.

Nov 26 2024 Author

Adding another album from those underrepresented continents to the 1001 list will always set me off with a sympathetic ear, and fortunately this album delivers! I loved the music… the African beats with a twist that I can only assume is at least partially thanks to Manu Chao, this is a groovy good time! Terrific!

Feb 13 2024 Author

Really liked this. Eclectic but centered, I wish I could understand the language but beautifully sung regardless.

Feb 29 2024 Author

Many summer vibes. And the influence of Manu Chao is clearly present. I enjoyed listening to this one

May 28 2024 Author

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: M’bife, Coulibaly, La réalité, Senegal fast food, Politic amagni

Jun 02 2024 Author

This album should be better known. The mix of African music, blues, and folk music makes for a refreshing change. My French is too basic to make out more than a few words at a time, but I found the singing enjoyable. The first half was stronger, and the album began to drag on by the end, but I’m glad I was exposed to this music.

Feb 12 2024 Author

I don't know how to accurately judge this, other than it forced me to wear Sepia tone glasses.

Jan 21 2024 Author

This is one of my favourite World music albums, A&M are great and with Manu Chao producing it, this is just lightining in a bottle. I've been listening to this regularly since 2005 and I never seem to tire of it. Most of the album is killer with no filler.

Jul 11 2024 Author

Wow! Great surprise! I didn’t even know this band existed. Not just when he sings, but you can feel Manu Chao’s influence

Nov 26 2024 Author

Yup!

Nov 26 2024 Author

Manu Chao's wonderful hand is evident in this splendid album. It's catchy and delightful. I love it!

Dec 20 2024 Author

Such a fantastic album. West African music deserved a few more places on the original list

Feb 10 2025 Author

Un album rempli de belles chansons, de voix magnifiques et de choix d'instruments parfaits. Je l'aime ! Un joli rappel que je devrais essayer de visiter l'Afrique de l'Ouest francophone.

Apr 01 2025 Author

Yep I can get behind this.

Sep 08 2025 Author

I really love to discover some good albums from different countries and people. Even without full enjoyment (I found it a bit repetitive), it deserves my 5.

Oct 02 2025 Author

10/10 absolutely lovely! always down for some african music!

Oct 16 2025 Author

rentouttava kokonaisuus

Feb 18 2024 Author

Despite the electrification, Dimanche à Bamako has a folk feel about it, Sunday morning indeed, rather grassy. Manu Chao provides the membrane covering all, but there's really no concept connecting the internals. The cast is hardly minimal, but maintains a small-kitchen aura, voices entering without apology and never letting go.

Feb 28 2024 Author

Very nice! 4 stars.

Apr 20 2024 Author

Good ones in this one

Jun 08 2024 Author

Nicenicenicenice 4

Jun 12 2024 Author

You can definitely hear that Manu Chao. Overall a pleasant album.

Jun 16 2024 Author

Great choice. Reminded me to practice my French too

Aug 30 2024 Author

African Blues, Afrobeat. Me ha gustado bastante. Un 4.

Sep 26 2024 Author

Fourth studio album? It's got a pretty good beat. Obviously, I don't really understand the lyrics, but the tone is upbeat, varied, and pretty easy to listen to.

Oct 06 2024 Author

This was a fun romp!

Jan 03 2025 Author

Great album with music from Mali with assistance from Manu Chao (who knew what he was doing)

Feb 15 2025 Author

This one really surprised me. Did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did

Mar 09 2025 Author

Appreciative of people putting more actual world music on the users list, especially for something like this where it’s truly a broad international collaboration

Apr 17 2025 Author

I love it when the Mali hits at the right time.

May 10 2025 Author

Love me the inclusion of foreign music. This is what makes the user list more interesting. I would never seek out this kinda music and it was great fun. Still a little long but otherwise great stuff. My personal rating: 4/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Yes.

May 23 2025 Author

May 23, 2025 Oh yeah, after the main list with two Ali Farka Tourés and one Songhoy Blues, I'm what you call an expert on the country of Mali now... *also Googles what Bamako means* I think the make-or-break element is Manu Chao's involvement, as his cosmopolitan approach to mixing genres means Dimanche à Bamako is a little scattershot. But he & Amadou (R.I.P.) & Mariam make a hell of a team. That genre unpredictability works in their favour; and though it's polished, it's still a very warm, rootsy and joyous-sounding record.

May 24 2025 Author

Richly tuneful, intriguingly melodic, dimensionally complex, with just enough drive and melancholic minor keys to make for a most satisfying listen. Can world music be said to be worldly? Or is that the desired effect for the target audience? Which might help explain the slight guilt/embarrassment one always feels listening to (what was one called world music or anything released by Putumayo). Would hold its own on the list proper but doesn't feel like an imperative add.

Jul 04 2025 Author

This could’ve been on the original list. Saw them live, very powerful experience. RIP Amadou.

Aug 01 2025 Author

Something different is always welcome. Groovy, rhythmic and well produced. Interesting and enjoyable.

Aug 01 2025 Author

Hell of a fun time!

Aug 07 2025 Author

This was great. Got me grooving. Sounded a lot like Manu Chao which is cool and then I was hit by Senegal Fast Food which is a right banger I've liked for ages but hadn't realised.

Aug 07 2025 Author

I really enjoyed how this album started and then it faded a bit for more towards the end. But still overall strong and interesting!

Aug 12 2025 Author

Nice find.

Aug 18 2025 Author

I've listened to this album multiple times across multiple days, and still haven't thought of anything to write down about it, but it's great. The music is fun and well put together. I would definitely buy this album if I saw it for $30 4/5

Sep 05 2025 Author

Compelling and charming, pulls you right along, like a friend dragging you to the dance floor. I probably won't know the local moves but I'm game to try! Solid summertime music.

Sep 23 2025 Author

This was a pleasant little jaunt into my ear holes. I hadn’t heard of Amadou and Miriam before, but do really like Manu Chau so that was a nice bonus. I’m not sure how to even categorise this - funky French reggae, maybe? Not sure what else to say about this as I don’t speak French so don’t know what it’s about. It sounds nice though.

Nov 05 2025 Author

A holiday record of an energetic blind couple. I almost feel like there's a movie in there somewhere

Nov 26 2025 Author

African Blues, Afrobeat. A pesar de que no me gusta este estilo de música, éste disco me ha gustado. Al principio bastante bien. Luego un poco monótono. Pero termina con M'Bifes Blues, que me ha encantado.

Nov 26 2025 Author

African Blues, Afrobeat. Me ha gustado bastante. Un 4.

Feb 01 2024 Author

Ehh, not my favorite. 5/10

Feb 02 2024 Author

Fun jams. Not my thing overall but I can see the appeal for sure.

Feb 08 2024 Author

Lovely upbeat and enjoyable record!

Feb 12 2024 Author

It's okay? A couple bangers for sure, but a lot of stuff that just didn't tickle my fancy. Certainly not a favorite afrobeat record.

Apr 18 2024 Author

Better than I expected

Apr 29 2024 Author

This is the soundtrack to backpackers telling each other their intrepid travel plans while slacklining at the beach. Catchy enough though. 3/5.

May 04 2024 Author

It was decent and a good change of pace. I will round up.

May 18 2024 Author

An exciting African LP that combines the best of old and new – I was excited from the get-go to hear some traditional African scales filtered through a lo-fi Chorus pedal. This is a fun listen, I just wish it could cut loose a bit more – the guitar here is great, and some tracks sit in neutral for a bit.

Jul 02 2024 Author

African folk pop - fine, but makes no great impression on me apart from Senegal Fast Food (featuring Manu Chao) which was an excellent rhythm for my running pace!

Aug 06 2024 Author

So lovely. Rich, diverse sound that's pleasing on the ears. Thanks for sharing. Fave Songs: Camions Sauvages, Artistiya, M'Bifé Balafon, Djanfa, La Fête au Village, M'Bifé, M'Bifé Blues

Sep 26 2024 Author

It’s flavourful and unique, and quite fun. Not my not so cup of tea, but love to see a submission that helps provide better representation for international acts that Dimry overlooked in favour of another UK synth pop band.

Nov 04 2024 Author

Frekar rólegt en létt.

Nov 24 2024 Author

Nice. Not a life changer for me, but a very pleasant listen.

Dec 17 2024 Author

Another cool album from Mali. This one features Manu Chao. It's nice and chilled. Rating: 2.5 Playlist track: Senegal Fast Food Date listened: 16/12/24

Jan 07 2025 Author

Not bad

Jan 17 2025 Author

Good vibes only

Apr 16 2025 Author

dug this one

Apr 19 2025 Author

Nice! Lots of cool grooves

Apr 27 2025 Author

Have to say it was better than I thought it would be. Good choice.

Jun 10 2025 Author

This was good.

Jun 22 2025 Author

Looking back I don't think there's a single African or South American album I didn't like. Not that I listen to them regularly but better than 60% of the crap from US/UK. This one seems to have modern influences but still a good listen.

Jul 23 2025 Author

Very nice vocals.

Aug 01 2025 Author

Good background music while I worked, but even after added exposure from the 1001 I don't feel like I know afrobeat/desert blues enough to distinguish or evaluate, and not knowing the language makes it hard to keep my attention and focus on the music.

Oct 23 2025 Author

Okay album, not my style, but enjoyable.

Feb 08 2024 Author

Best gezellig, maar na een paar tracks word ik depressief van de vrolijkheid.

Dec 13 2024 Author

It was an interesting mix and not unpleasant.

Dec 22 2024 Author

Meh

Dec 26 2024 Author

Respect for adding some actual more worldy music. It was listenable.

Feb 17 2025 Author

Honestly, kind of a basic boring album. Maybe it was innovative for its time.

Jul 19 2025 Author

Dimanche à Bamako starts well, the opening track is really nice, and really the first four or five are more accessible than a lot of foreign-language/African music we've had on this journey. I dunno if that's a good or a bad thing though, because it then goes back into stuff I don't much care for for the rest of the album, and there's an argument that the back half is more 'typical' of the genre and that the opening to the record is 'westernised' for appeal. Taken purely on the merits of whether I liked it or not, it gets a high 2.5, just above average, because there was some good, lots of meh, nothing I truly disliked. M'Bife is really nice though, again.

Sep 09 2025 Author

Sometimes these ones that are far beyond my usual listening I end up hearing something really interesting to me. This one I didn’t get that. Just wasn’t for me.

Nov 20 2024 Author

i probably would’ve enjoyed this one quite a bit if I understood what was being said. The beats were really exciting and fun to chill to but overall it’s hard for me to enjoy the album without knowing what’s going on. 3.5/10