Jang Fa Jang Kano

Gambian kora player Jaliba Kuyateh was taught the instrument by his father and, according to his biography, if the young Jaliba misbehaved, his punishment would be to spend an evening playing the kora alone. Far from this putting him off, however, he’s built an international reputation over more than 30 years and is known in the Gambia and beyond as ‘The King of Kora’.

Jang Fa Jang Kano opens with the title-track and Kuyateh’s deep, resonant voice. The seven tracks are mostly in the style of Afro pop, blending traditional West African instruments with keyboards, electric guitars, bass and drumkit. ‘Sheikh Karamba Suwaneh’ is an exception – a more pared-back track with the kora playing against a rhythm of drums and finger-clicks.

This album was originally released in 2016 and has now been reissued on digital platforms. Jang Fa Jang Kano can be translated as ‘Distance Relationship’ and, according to Kuyateh, ‘is dedicated to everyone in a loving relationship,’ and especially those in a long-distance relationship. Kuyateh’s fans will be pleased another of his many albums is being made more widely available.