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Soulful vocals, shimmering kora melodies and complex rhythmic Malian guitar in this special collaboration. Mali’s greatest guitarist and singer Habib Koité and charismatic Gambian kora maestro, singer Sura Susso present music from their new collaboration, ‘Manding Melody’. Recorded in the Gambia and Mali, this is the first time the friends have created new work together. This intergenerational, cross-cultural project celebrates the powerful ‘griot’ narratives of traditional Manding folk tales and stories, told through modern musical styles.
West Africa’s griots (in Mandinka language known as Jeli) are traditional storytellers, poets, historians, musicians, and praise singers. They maintain and share traditions, cultural heritage, values and history. They originated in the 13th century within the Mande Empire of Mali. Since then the oral tradition has been handed down through specific Mandingue griot families (in Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea) of which both Sura and Habib were born into.
Traditional instruments used by griots include the kora, balafon and ngoni. ‘Manding Melody’ highlights some of these instruments, intertwined with contemporary musical instruments and styles. The result is a blend that refreshes and revives ancient stories and musical traditions.
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Turner Sims, University of Southampton,Southampton, United Kingdom
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