It’s Mali still week and I’ve decided that I’m going to stop smoking. Again. Put the two together and you get a great tune about the evils of tobacco by the Bamako band “Bamada”.

The band’s founder and leader, Habib Koite, is another born n raised griot musician who got rich on the guitar. He’s now one of Mali’s most well known musicians, right up there with the Diabatés, Sangare and Keita. You know, the kind of guy who routinely has pints and jam sessions with Damon Albarn or Ry Cooder.

“Cigarette A Bana” was Bamada’s first big hit. The version I’m posting today isn’t the greatest quality, but hey – it’s always hit and miss shopping for bootlegs in Dakar music markets. If you can, buy a real copy of Muso Ko. Good for those hungover mornings… like this one.

ps- “Bamada” sort of translates into “in the mouth of the crocodile” in Bambara, but more specifically it refers to residents of Bamako, Mali’s capital.

Bamada – Cigarette A Bana (the cigarette is finished)