Jali Kunda: Griots of West Africa & Beyond

Foday Musa Suso - Jali Kunda: Griots of West Africa & Beyond

released in 1997

In West Africa, the Griot is a musician, entertainer, historian, myth maker and more. For 800 years this expert musician class have been "walking libraries," responsible for preserving the region's wisdom and lore. Epic songs, genealogies and one of the world's richest instrumental traditions have been passed down through arduous apprenticeships, ensuring that the Jali Kunda (Griot family) endures.

Born in Gambia, Foday Musa Suso is a Mandingo Griot. He mastered the Griot's traditional repertory by the time he was 18. Suso then took his kora (a 21-string harp-lute), and traveled through Africa, America and Europe, providing audiences with their first taste of Griot music.

For Jali Kunda, Foday Musa Suso returns to his native village in Gambia with legendary producer Bill Laswell. They visit Senegal and Guinea-Bissau to encounter their Griots, learn their stories and hear their songs. Back in the United States, Suso and Laswell anticipate the next century of Griot music as Suso performs original works by avant-classical minimalist Philip Glass, saxophone innovator Pharoah Sanders, and muscular funksters Mandingo. (from the back cover)

Produced by Foday Musa Suso and Bill Laswell

Tracklisting:

1. Allah l'aake {2:45}
recorded in Kolda, Senegal; Foday Kuyateh, Tamba Kuyateh, Wuye Kanuteh - kora, Balla Camara - drum, Jewuru Suso, Bobo Kuyateh, Musukuto Sakiliba, Jonfolo Sakiliba - singers

2. Sunjata {5:45}
recorded in Tabato, Guinea-Bissau; Omar Jobarteh, Sambel Jobarteh, Fili Jobarteh - balafon, Yaya Jobarteh, Bobo Jobarteh - drums, Jalimakang Konteh, Mairan Jobarteh, Manda Jobarteh, Safi Kuyateh, Keitta Dindingo, Fatou Suso, Jalifatuma Camara, Mairan Camara - singers

3. Sinyaro {3:03}
Bolong Suso, Surakata Suso, Karunka Suso, Cherno Suso, Jewuru Kanute, Musa Kanute - kora, Funeh Kuyateh, Demmu Suso, Bobo Suso, Ndaga Kuyateh, Tida Kanuteh, Nyalin Kuyateh - singers

4. Mariama {4:31}
Momodu Salifu Baldeh, Mamadon Baldeh - nyanyer and voice, Sambel Mballo, Babakary Jallow, Mansa Baldeh, Dikory Siedy, Ganya Siedy - drums

5. Spring Waterfall {7:21}
composed by Foday Musa Suso with Philip Glass; Foday Musa Suso - kora, Philip Glass -piano

6. Jula Faso {3:21}
recorded in Brikama, The Gambia; Bolong Suso, Surakata Suso, Karunka Suso, Cherno Suso, Jewuru Kanute, Musa Kanute - kora, Funeh Kuyateh, Demmu Suso, Bobo Suso, Ndaga Kuyateh, Tida Kanuteh, Nyalin Kuyateh - singers

7. Sunjata {3:10}
recorded in Kolda, Senegal; Jewuru Suso, Bobo Kuyateh, Musukuto Sakiliba, Jonfolo Sakiliba - musicians/singers

8. Lanmbasy Dub {8:23}
dance track originally performed by The Mandingo Griot Society and remixed using samplers, studio technology and the electric kora; Foday Musa Suso - electric kora, percussion and voice, Jeff Bova - electronic keyboards, Bill Laswell - bass, sampled sound, Nicky Skopelitis and Clive Smith - programming

9. Jula Jekereh {4:50}
Mahamadou Suso, Mawudo Suso, Suntu Kuyateh, Yaya Jassy - balafon, Funeh Kuyateh, Demmu Suso, Bobo Suso, Ndaga Kuyateh, Tida Kanuteh, Nyalin Kuyateh - singers

10. Lambango {2:49}
recorded in Tabato, Guinea-Bissau; Omar Jobarteh, Sambel Jobarteh, Fili Jobarteh - balafon, Yaya Jobarteh, Bobo Jobarteh - drums, Jalimakang Konteh, Mairan Jobarteh, Manda Jobarteh, Safi Kuyateh, Keitta Dindingo, Fatou Suso, Jalifatuma Camara, Mairan Camara - singers

11. Samma {8:30}
Foday Musa Suso - kora, Pharoah Sanders - tenor saxophone

12. Sorrie {3:35}recorded in Brikama, The Gambia; Mahamadou Suso, Mawudo Suso, Suntu Kuyateh, Yaya Jassy - balafon, Funeh Kuyateh, Demmu Suso, Bobo Suso, Ndaga Kuyateh, Tida Kanuteh, Nyalin Kuyateh - singers

13. Yata Kaya {4:55}
Momodu Salifu Baldeh, Mamadon Baldeh - nyanyer, Sambel Mballo, Babakary Jallow, Mansa Baldeh, Dikory Siedy, Ganya Siedy - drums

14. Lambango {8:01}
recorded in Gabu, Guinea-Bissau; Abdou Kuyateh, Sirifo Kuyateh, Burema Kuyateh, Madi Jollo, Kekuto Suso - kora, Malang Kuyateh, Jaali Kuyateh, Aminata Kuyateh, Wudeh Kuyateh, Isatou Kuyateh - singers

15. Allah l'aake {3:51}
recorded in Brikama, The Gambia; Bolong Suso, Surakata Suso, Karunka Suso, Cherno Suso, Jewuru Kanute, Musa Kanute - kora, Funeh Kuyateh, Demmu Suso, Bobo Suso, Ndaga Kuyateh, Tida Kanuteh, Nyalin Kuyateh - singers

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