Burning The Ground Exclusive 1987
“Yé ké yé ké” is a song by Guinean recording artist Mory Kanté. It was released in 1987 as a single from his third studio album, Akwaba Beach. The song became an international hit; it was one of Africa’s best-ever selling hits as well as being a European number one in 1988, making it the first ever African single to sell over one million copies. The song was a top five hit in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands, where it topped the chart for two weeks. In the UK the song reached #29. In the United States “Yé ké yé ké” peaked at #19 on the Billboard Dance chart.
The lyrics are in Mandinka. Kanté adapted it from a traditional song called “Yekeke.” “All good things have many owners,” said Kanté in a 1997 interview. He added that “the song comes from a wonderful tradition we have in the villages. You know, when young griots are approaching the age of marriage, they flirt with each other through music. They court and ensnare each other through their songs and dances. These are sweet songs, I swear. ‘Yekeke’ is one of them. It’s the sound that young women make when they dance … It’s their way of communicating their interest.”
Kanté died on 22 May 2020 at a hospital in Conakry at the age of 70. He was suffering from chronic illnesses in the last years of his life and often received treatment in France. This ceased to be possible following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in that country. He is buried at Conakry Kipe’s cemetery.
SIDE A:
Yé Ké Yé Ké (French Remix) 6:22
Yé Ké Yé Ké (Afro Acid Mix) 5:25
Remix [Aciduously Remixed By] – Martyn Young
SIDE B:
Yé Ké Yé Ké (Mory’s House Version) 5:28
Remix [Aciduously Remixed By] – Martyn Young
Yé Ké Yé Ké (French Edit) 4:00
Akwaba Beach 5:15
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Yé Ké Yé Ké | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play | #19 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – 887 948-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Acid House, House
CREDITS:
- Composed By, Arranged By – Mory Kanté
- Executive-Producer – Otis M’Baye
- Producer – Nick Patrick
NOTES:
From the L.P. “Akwaba Beach”
Printed in U.S.A
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Hi, can you update the link for the 24bit version?
Thanks for the good editions you post, if only the link for the 24bit version takes longer.
Wetransfer deletes links very quickly, maybe you should try pixeldrain.com, it gives unlimited space and is quite durable.
Thank you for a pristine transfer of this release! This is another song that basically never leaves my sight for too long. I never get tired of it. I was in Germany in 1987 and “ETHNO-POP“, as they called it, was all the rage at that time, with Mory Kante and Ofra Haza leading the way! The 90s Hardfloor and Klubbheads remixes helped revive the song and were amazing in their own rights, but the original mix is still my favorite!
Copyright dates are sometimes misleading. As far as I can tell, the US & Canadian editions of this single were not out until late September 1988. The Martyn Young remixes debuted in mid-1988 and helped make the song a hit in Europe that summer. The other (“French”) mixes were apparently first released in 1987, though.
Wow Paul you really go deep in the archives!! Listening to this and watching the video it’s coming back to me. This has to be the first time in 37 years I’ve heard it! What a beat and rhythm! I can see why it was a worldwide smash. The timing seems to have been perfect too, as Paul Simon’s Graceland had opened up a lot of the world to all the wonderful sounds and rhythms coming out of Africa. As Paul Simon was very interested in African percussive rhythms that couldn’t be replicated elsewhere, his band at the time consisted… Read more »
Thank you, retro Hound for reminding me of that Paul Simon masterpiece. I think you may be correct about the timing of this record. 🙂
Thank You Paul.!!
You’re welcome 🙂
Thanks a lot, my friend! This was a massive hit here in France. The dance floors were always full when the French Remix was played in the clubs. Great memories!
You’re welcome, Daniel. Good to see you 🙂
Hi Paul.Wowzers a massive fave track of mine.A dance anthem of note back in 1987/88.Thank you so much for posting this one.Nolstalgia of note for me.Thank you for your generosity and all the hard work you put into your blog.Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.
You’re welcome, DjBD 🙂
Hey, Paul, I’m still feeling the euphoria (and the tinnitus!) from yesterday’s colossal post, so again, many, many thanks!! I am equally tickled by today’s selection! I first heard it via Joseph Watt’s Razormaid! remix service and have loved it ever since. Your Burning The Ground website sort of reminds me of that service. Joseph and Art introduced me to so many cutting edge and experimental songs. You are right up there with them for showcasing incredibly marvelous beats and sounds. The 1980’s were a remarkable time when it comes to music. I love that you are equally devoted to… Read more »
I think it is gonna be a fun week for you, Jeff 🙂
Great classic.. lol
following this line with a house music feel, not wanting to do it against your good will, if you can post Bad Boys Blue – How I Need You.
Thank for posting this Paul. It came out when I was seventeen and it was a huge hit in France. Did you know Mory has recorded a version back in 1984 of Ye Ke Ye Ke ? It’s available on the album “A Paris”
Yes, I read that he originally recorded the song in 1983 but did not release it as a single until 1987.
absolute club BANGER!!!!
so many (now fuzzy) memories.
Agree an ultimate banger 🙂