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, Part I (Head-shaving)	Salung Kuiyate and Jali Kabele Jobate with female vocalist	03:20
102	Kullio, Part II (Head-shaving)	Finolu	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	Usman Sene	06:45
106	Ramadan	Bai Konte with group of men	09:05
107	Heralding the feast day after Ramadan	Group of Yalunka	05:33
108	Sabu Nyima	n/a	04:49
109	Bibi	n/a	03:19
110	Bakari Ba	n/a	13:26
111	Jata Di'Key Kana Kasi	n/a	06:56
112	Ma Sane Sise	n/a	06:27
113	Children Laugh, Talk, Drum on a Tin Can	n/a	01:37
114	Fode Kaba	n/a	06:57