Kora Music from the Gambia

Recorded in Accra, Ghana, in 1976, Kora Music from the Gambia is a collection of songs performed on the kora, a 21-string bridge harp used by the Mandinka people of northwestern Africa. Foday Musa Suso is a member of the hereditary jali social class, and, as ethnomusicologist Roderic Knight explains, that means he is both a historian and a musician: “For example, praises and genealogy were incorporated into songs, and oral history was told to the accompaniment of instrument music. ” Suso's selections on this album range from traditional stories from the Mali Empire ( “Tira Makan” ) to a contemporary song from the Gambia that refers to the 1960s moon landing missions ( “Apollo” ). Liner notes include a detailed description and history of kora music in the Gambia and track notes.
Track Listing
101
|
Kelefaba (Tomoraba Tuning) / "Kuruntu Kelefa" (Tomoraba Tuning) - (medley) | Foday Musa Suso | 3:43 | |
102
|
Sunjata (Sauta Tuning) | Foday Musa Suso | 6:36 | |
103
|
Tira Makan (Tomoraba Tuning) | Foday Musa Suso | 7:05 | |
201
|
Apollo (Sauta Tuning) | Foday Musa Suso | 4:52 | |
202
|
Jula Jekere (Hardino Tuning) | Foday Musa Suso | 6:06 | |
203
|
Juku Te Nte Sorola (Sauta Tuning) | Foday Musa Suso | 4:21 | |
204
|
Mama Manneh (Hardino Tuning) | Foday Musa Suso | 5:40 |