Kimi Djabaté – Yensoro

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From the album Dindin on Cumbancha.

Learn more at https://www.cumbancha.com/kimidjabate
Bandcamp: https://kimidjabate.bandcamp.com/album/dindin
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6UK19lM9QS02E9GYi69EHJ
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/dindin/1646685143?app=music
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BG96V97H
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/album/359792487

Hailing from the country of Guinea-Bissau, gifted guitarist, percussionist and balafón (African xylophone) player Kimi Djabaté is one of Africa’s most exceptional talents. Now based in Lisbon, Djabaté has collaborated with Mory Kanté, Waldemar Bastos and Netos de Gumbé, and, most recently, the pop star Madonna on her single “Ciao Bella.”

“Yensoro” is from Djabaté’s latest album Dindin, which was released by Cumbancha on February 24, 2023. “Yensoro” is a soulful song about missed chances for love and getting to know others intimately. To the steady beat of the congas and shakers, Kimi yearns for lost happiness and connection, even as he reflects on how sadly unknowable the future is.

On the album “Dindin,” the multitalented musician carries on the customs of his griot heritage, singing entrancingly about the complexity of life in modern Africa for a broad, international audience. Blending traditional Afro-Portuguese rhythms with Afrobeat grooves, electric desert blues and hints of Afro-Latin swing, Djabaté weaves a unique tapestry of smooth and intricate sounds. “Dindin” is both highly personal, featuring intimate songs dedicated to family and friends, and undeniably universal in its themes of love, communication and human connection.

Video directed by Gabriele Modica and Rui Miguel Correia
Edited by Gabriele Modica with Additional Editing and Color Treatment by Victorine Yok-Thot Sentilhes

“Yensoro”
Words & Music by Kimi Djabaté
Published by Cumbancha Music Publishing (BMI)

LYRICS:
“You Had Me” (English Translation)

We had a chance
To be happy
But you didn’t wait
You had me in your hands
I had you in mine
But you didn’t wait

You had me in your hands
I had you in mine
But you didn’t wait
You had me in your hands
I had you in mine
But you were not able to wait

Tomorrow
No one knows what will come

Oh, how sad
Oh, how sad
No one knows what will come tomorrow
Learn to wait
No one knows what will come tomorrow

You had me in your hands
I had you in mine
But you didn’t wait for me
You were so important
You had me in your hands
But you didn’t wait, everything has its time
Oh, what a pity
No one knows what will come tomorrow
Oh, how sad

(Mandinga)
Iquera mussu nhalamaletifa
Yensoro ibulokonu nbary imannan nbatu
Kana watole batu
Iquera mussu nhalamaletifa
Yensoro ibulokonu nbary imannan nbatu
Kana watole batu

Yensoro ibulokonu fá
Nhesoro nbulokonu nbary
Imanan nbatu kana watole nbatu
Nhesoro nbulokonu fá
Yensoro ibulukonu nbary
Imanan nbatu kana watole batu
Yensoro ibulukonu nbary imanan nbatu
Kana watole batu

Nah nah nah nah
Djonman sininlon
Djonmi ilabanlon
Ye ye ye ye
Djonmi ilabanlon

Ho ho ho
Ho ho ho
Djonmi ilabanlon
Ikana baga djonma
Djonmi ilabanlon