Dance to the Full Moon

Invisible System is multi-instrumentalist and Frome resident Dan Harper, whose initial reputation was made via his Ethiopian fusion work, a catalyst for Dub Colossus. More recently he's become deeply immersed in the Malian griot scene, having released the Bamako Sessions album on Riverboat Records in 2018 . Harper was an aid worker in Mali between 1999 and 2003, where he met his wife. He returned there once more to make this album (that Riverboat disc also resulted from these same sessions), setting up extended improvisations, first-take recordings later edited into songs.

The opening ‘Bajura’ features the arresting voice of Astou Niamé Diabaté, and she soon returns for ‘Ebah’, singing in duo formation with Sambou Kouyaté, and delivering another highlight. The local Bamako axemen have a penchant for headless instruments, fled through MIDI guitar synths, creating Afro-psychedelic fuzz-lines that marry well with Harper's electric bass and beats. They all combine for a muscular mix of Malian and UK dance floor elements, without diluting the griot aura. In fact, this traditional and modern mélange is one of the most intoxicating examples of fusion heard in a while. Guitars, ngoni, kora, balafon and African percussion scintillate over the always prominent, flooding Harper basslines. Sidi Touré co-wrote the closing title-track, a stepping banger that boasts an invigorating tama (talking drum) solo from Ousmane Dagon.