16:30 - 17:30
Sean Rafferty presents a selection of music and guests from the arts world.
   BASSEKOU KOUYATE & NGONI BA Segu Blue BASSEKOU KOUYATE & NGONI BA Segu Blue Out Here OH007 WINNER - ALBUM OF THE YEAR Is the ngoni, the West African lute said to be a forerunner to the banjo, destined to be the bridesmaid of instruments, forever playing the support rôle to the guitar and kora? Not if its finest exponent has any say in the matter. Bassekou Kouyaté, the lead ngoni player who provided that essential crisp, atmospheric foundation to the late Ali Farka Touré's imperious Savane album (amongst others) last year, has incorporated a quartet of players into an ensemble that draws out the full versatility of the instrument. It's the subtle differences that set this instrument apart. The scratchy, rustic prompting behind the slower, blues-soaked numbers will be familiar enough to many, and it works beautifully as a contrast to the sweet harmonies of Kouyaté's wife Ami Sacko and Ma Soumano. But at times you'd swear that a kora player had sneaked into the studio during some of the Bamana dance songs, such are the surprisingly intricate melodies being teased out of the instrument. The throb of the bass ngoni (a sound between the soft slap of a double bass and the rudimentary beat from a North African guimbri) and interplay between the rest of the quartet creates momentum that only the subtlest of percussion need support. And aided by guest appearances from Kasse Mady Diabaté, soku (horse-hair fiddle) player Zoumana Tereta and Lobi Traore, Segu Blue brings this evocative instrument - and the Malian Bamana tradition from which it hails - firmly back centre-stage. Con Murphy (review from fRoots 285, March 2007) www.outhere.de; distributed by Proper. fRoots magazine CD Review on BBC Music Read other people's comments then  Tell us what you think:Judith Nottingham Manfred, Bamako Melanie - Ireland madalena/london C Reddy Markus-Utrecht-Ned. Mark-Netherlands | | |
| | |
Listen to 'Jonkoloni'
BBC iD
BBC iDBBC navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
