The Mandingo Band, from Burkina Faso, deliver a high energy form of music deeply grounded in West African Manding traditions as well as Afrobeat. Markedly, Sonbonbela features an irresistible, transfixing rhythm section; dazzling guitar work by Issouf Diabate, one of the best guitarist in Africa; as well as skillful and captivating balafon and doso ngoni, all topped by the charismatic and gritty vocals of Baba Commandant.
The lineup includes Issouf Diabate on guitar; Wendeyida Ouedraogo on bass; Abbas Kabore on drums and backing vocals; Nickie Dembele on percussion and balafon; and Mamadou Sanou on the doso ngoni and vocals.
Sonbonbela is dedicated to the memory of Massibo Taragna, the superb bass player who was an essential part of the Mandingo Band. He passed away in early 2022.
