Foday Musa Suso, Tamba Suso, Jarju Kuyateh - Mansa Bendung (1986)

It is tempting to seek solace through music, when radical fundamentalists whose god is money are using brute force and hegemonic media control to obscenely enrich themselves. The power grab is global, as my esteemed colleague at WorldService illustrated a few days ago, but nowhere is it more repugnant than here in the U$, where a cynical election facade progresses despite the fact that the predominant voters are corporations.

With its hereditary roots stretching centuries into the past, West African kora is amongst the most sublime, peaceful musics of the world, potentially offering solace. Gambian kora virtuoso Foday Musa Suso has based himself in the U$ for decades, having worked with and influenced diverse musicians, which I discussed in my 2011 posting of Suso's Mandingo Griot Society debut.

This album developed spontaneously when two of Suso's compatriots visited New York. A studio session was quickly arranged, and the trio recorded on New Year's Day of 1986. Tamba Suso is a formidable singer, and on this record he sings with passion. Side B has three kora instrumentals where Suso's kora deliciously intertwines with that of Jarju Kuyateh. The three songs with vocals are rousing, but even though the instrumentals are more peaceful, they also contain tremendous energy -- enough to make you want to get up and do something.

Enjoy, and then act!