No Format (label)
28 May 2015 (released)
28 May 2017
This has actually been out for a while but I was unfortunate to miss them performing this live in London this week .
On a beautiful & fresh Sunday morning I find myself playing ‘Music De Nuit’ – ‘Music of the night’ – and revelling in the perfect match to the day and time. It is music of the night, there are dark and mysterious passages, but there are moments of such transcendental beauty that the music completely outweighs any other considerations. Make no mistake, this is music of rare beauty and passion.
Ballake Sissoko plays the Kora. Often described as an African harp although to me it has similarities to the Lute it is light and delicate, every string has its own entity and in the hands of a master – as Sissoko is – it has a delicacy and surprising power. The complexity of Sissoko’s playing is something special. Vincent Segal is a cellist and his darker notes and drones underpin Sissoko’s playing perfectly so that the impression is of a full quintet, harmonising and soloing perfectly.
The album opens with ‘Niandou’ and immediately I was struck with the delicate picking of Sissoko set against the gently plucked cell and when Segal began to string the cello ahead of the Kora the restrained jauntiness of the number seemed like two kittens prancing and playing for the joy of it. The whole number has that feel with first one and then the other instrument taking the lead, properly supported by the other. As the playing got more complex if felt as though a gentle challenge was being put forth, accepted and returned and all with the same smile of pleasure.
‘Passa Quatro’ follows, showing a darker edge to the music, more muted and with an air of melancholy, but still beautifully played and completely consuming.
The one number that changes the musical marrative is ‘Diabaro’ which features a fabulous vocal by Babani Kone. Pleading and heartwrenching, the addition of the vocal allows the other two instruments to play freely.
These are two supremely talented musicians, enjoying the company of each other and playing music that defies conventional mores but instantly becoming familiar and satisfying.
Truly brilliant.
