Video Premiere: Béla Fleck & Oumou Sangaré Perform “N’Guatu” Live in Mali

March 27, 2020
Video Premiere: Béla Fleck & Oumou Sangaré Perform “N’Guatu” Live in Mali


On March 27, Béla Fleck will release an expanded reissue of his Throw Down Your Heart documentary, wherein he traveled across Africa to explore the roots of the banjo.

Today Relix is premiering a never-before-seen clip from the documentary, showcasing Fleck and Grammy-winning vocalist Oumou Sangaré on a composition called “N’Guatu.”

“I’ll always remember that day at Oumou’s hotel Wassulu,” Fleck recalls. “It was the first time I got to play with her iconic group. And when a band is a good as these guys, it’s pretty easy to play along. I’m still crazy about Oumou’s remarkable voice. And she’s a great and beautiful person.”

In other Fleck-related news, on March 27 the banjoist will also release a new duo album with kora player Toumani Diabaté – titled The Ripple Effect – and he recently extended his ‘Banjo House Lockdown’ livestream series with his musical/life partner Abigail Washburn.

Watch Fleck and Sangare perform “N’Guatu” below: