Tili Saba

This is an excellent example of a contemporary interpretation of the kora. Susso was born into a griot family in the Gambia. He has been based in the UK since the age of 17 when he arrived while a member of his brother Seckou Keita’s ensemble in which he was a percussionist. This is his second solo album and it perfectly demonstrates that his playing is technically proficient, refined and able to expand beyond tradition.

The album was recorded partly in the UK and partly in the Gambia and has a variety of West African musical flavours. ‘Molu’, for example, has added electronic digital beats, which work well against the sabar and tama drums and kora. ‘Kata Keh’ is a particularly well-realised solo kora piece in which Sura Susso demonstrates his ability as both instrumentalist and vocalist with a particularly sensitive and melancholic voice. The wonderfully sedate closing track ‘Makki’ is a duet between piano and kora. ‘Kele’ features excellent ensemble playing with electric guitar, balafon, keyboards and fine backing vocals from Susso’s sister Binta, who appears on several tracks.