Offroad

Becaye is a largely self-taught guitarist who spent his childhood in Dakar, Senegal, from where he developed his unique kora-like guitar style. He is now based in Norway where he collaborates with local musicians to create some highly intriguing fusions of musical genres. Offroad is a melancholic collection of his own compositions that combine his Fulani background with his fellow musicians’ language; it is based on a project originally commissioned by Global Oslo Music that was first performed live in 2013. Most striking are the ethereal vocal performances of Liv Ulvik and the arresting throat singing of Torgeir Vassvik. It's an unusual mixture of North European and West African cultures that might not be to everyone's taste. The songs are reflective, with an air of sadness – especially on the first song, which tells of the tragic sinking of a Senegalese passenger ferry and a Norwegian vessel. The melodies of all the songs are sombre, even those that are lullabies or Christmas songs, and Becaye's morose voice adds to the melancholia. Beautifully played Hardanger fiddle and cello embellish the dark mood with pure earthy tones. It's an album for long winter nights in front of a log fire.