Foday Musa Suso Kora Music From The Gambia CD

Recorded in Accra, Ghana, in 1976, Kora Music from the Gambia is a collection of songs performed on the Kora, a 21-string bridge harp used by the Mandinka people of northwestern Africa. Foday Musa Suso is a member of the hereditary Jali social class, and, as ethnomusicologist Roderic Knight explains, that means he is both a historian and a musician: "For example, praises and genealogy were incorporated into songs, and oral history was told to the accompaniment of instrument music. " Suso's selections on this album range from traditional stories from the Mali Empire ("Tira Makan") to a contemporary song from the Gambia that refers to the 1960s moon landing missions ("Apollo"). Liner notes include a detailed description and history of kora music in the Gambia and track notes.

1. Kelefaba (Tomoraba Tuning) / "Kuruntu Kelefa" (Tomoraba Tuning) - (Medley) 2. Sunjata (Sauta Tuning) 3. Tira Makan (Tomoraba Tuning) 4. Apollo (Sauta Tuning) 5. Jula Jekere (Hardino Tuning) 6. Juku Te Nte Sorola (Sauta Tuning) 7. Mama Manneh (Hardino Tuning)