Gambia's Music, Vol. 1

This album is a selection of field recordings made in Gambia over a one-year period (1971–1972) by Marc Pevar, and it presents music for various occasions from three of the main ethnic groups that live in Gambia: the Mandinka, Jola, and Wolof. Included are examples of the musicianship of the bardic jola or griot caste of the Mandinka people, who are masters on the 21-string harp called the kora. The revered jali (praise singer) and kora player Alhaji Bai Konte, who performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1973, is among the musicians featured in this album. The liner notes are written in English, French, and Swedish and include photographs and detailed information on the music.

Track Listing

101	Kullio, Pt. 1 (Head-shaving): Socializing and Entertainment / Alifa Yaya	Salung Kuiyate and Jali Kabele Jobate with female vocalist	03:20
102	Kullio, Pt. 2 (Head-shaving): Name Announcement and Group Prayer	Finolu and Jali Musa Kamara	04:32
103	Yo maruo ka la jula / Son-song soko li so	Group of Mandingo women	11:25
104	Waiting for supper: a small boy sings to himself	Bambo Konte	02:00
105	Tama solo: Kumunsamarom / Woi Pul (Fula Singing)	Usman Sene	06:45
106	Ramadan: Evening prayer on the Konte compound	Bai Konte	09:05
107	Heralding the Feast Day after Ramadan	Group of Yalunka	05:33
108	Sabu Nyima	Bai Konte	04:49
109	Bibi	Trio of Jola musicians	03:19
110	Bakari Ba / Sirifo Sidi / Jimaro Sose	Bai Konte with male and female vocalists	13:26
111	Jata Di'Ke Kana Kasi / Mambuna Bojang / Sidi Baba	Ibrahima Nyas	06:56
112	Ma Sane Sise	Ibrahima Nyas	06:27
113	Children Laugh, Talk, Drum on a Tin Can	Wolof children	01:37
114	Fode Kaba	Bai Konte, Salung Kuiyate, Usman Sene, and Ibrahima Nyaz	06:57