Sona Jobarteh ( CD ) Fasiya

Release date: 2011

( This is a CD version )

2011 UK issue on CD -Fasiya is the critically acclaimed landmark album from Sona Jobarteh which draws on her unique musical identity. Having received widespread attention for its unique sound, this album combines beautiful infectious melodies with strong West African rhythms.

The sound that Sona gets from her Kora is enchantingly beautiful and her voice ...

The album demonstrates Sona's abilities as a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, featuring her on numerous instruments such as the bass, ngoni, flute, guitar, percussion, and of course her distinctive vocals. Woking in both The Gambia and the UK Sona has pieced together a body of work which has established her unique position in the west african griot tradition as both a cultural preserver and a pioneering innovator.

Reviews:

"Jobarteh is Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso, and also a fine singer and composer, blending traditional music, blues and Afropop to impressive effect. All the makings of an international star." - The Guardian

“Beautiful singing voice” – The Independent

“Mould-breaking” – Songlines Magazine

"Fasiya is unlike any other kora album out there... full of grace, warmth and passion.”- Louise Ungless, Afropop Worldwide

"A perfect blend between the purest West African tradition and the sound of bold innovation." - Sound Sense Online

Exclusive to this CD are detailed sleeve notes which include English translations to all songs.

Tracks:

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Although this remarkable London-raised woman from West Africa is acknowledged as a rare female kora player from her griot family (Toumani Diabate is a cousin), she is also a strong advocate and exemplar of women's rights, has her own Gambia Academy which is a cultural centre which she underwrites (see here) and has taken her music and opinions to festivals and forums around the world.

And she is coming to this year's Womad in Taranaki.

This album from 2015 is her third and most recent and was recorded in The Gambia and the UK.

Now while the gorgeous sound of the kora is here, it is just one part of the mix of 11 pop-length songs featuring ngoni, flute, traditional percussion and bass.

But it is her soft yet powerful, highly melodic voice (multi-tracked into subtle choral proportions in places) which are an equal enticement.

A multi-instrumentalist (cello, piano, guitar and harp in addition to kora) classically-trained in Britain in composition, with a degree in African Culture and Linguistic, and who has written for orchestra and soundtracks (as well as being a vocal soloist in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom), Jobarteh has been identified as one of the most influential and accomplished artists on a world music stage anywhere.

With this album if you come for the kora you will be seduced by the songs and her subtle delivery.