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Track Review
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Stereo Subversion, Track Review >>
One of the things I enjoy most about West African music is the rhythmic complexity. As a teenager in the 80’s Bassekou pulled the equivalent of Dylan going electric with his chosen instrument, the ngoni (an African banjo-like instrument.) Into adulthood he continues to explore the edges of the instrument, gathering three others to form a quartet that plays as Ngoni Ba. In “Musow,” which is dedicated to the women you can hear the dance between the ngoni that creates the complexity that drives me wild. Proving himself more of a non-traditional traditionalist Kouyate has modified several ngoni by deepening their tones or adding more strings to improve the instruments flexibility. Kouyate has played with Ali Farke Toure and Youssou N’Dour and proves himself just as much a master with I Speak Fula. The fast paced rhythm, native tongue vocals, and swirling ngoni interplay makes it impossible to sit still and breathes new life into a traditional instrument. For those whose musical tastes extend further than the US and UK, I highly recommend giving this a listen, you won’t be disappointed. 04/23/10 >> go there
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