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Afro mandinka soul - Tama Silo
Most played songs on airplays are keita Lu, Nfa, Sina Mory and djula djekere
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Seckou Keita Quartet
An explosive cocktail of Afro Soul Music – An unforgettable experience
The Seckou Keita Quartet brings together the best of Afro-Mandinka music. It reflects the many stages of Seckou Keita’s musical journey in an ensemble blending European and African instruments and influences. The Quartet made its debut in 2004 under the title Acoustic Vibes, and in 2005 played the London Jazz Festival and all over the UK as part of the Heatwave tour. In July 2006 they have also toured for the first time in major Canadian festivals and impressed audiences at Montreal jazz Festivals, Sunfest and Halifax Jazz.
They will be on tour across the UK to celebrate the release of their new album: Afro Mankinka Soul- tama Silo. Drawing together musicians from Senegal, Italy, Egypt and The Gambia, the varied approaches within the Seckou Keita Quartet superbly complement one another. Davide Mantovani’s upright bass, Sammy Bishai’s violin and Surahata Susso’s congas and calabash percussion weave a truly original ensemble sound around the experimental tunings and virtuoso kora of Keita himself.
The Quartet’s repertoire includes traditional songs, but the emphasis is on new and original material, ranging from the haunting Afro-Mandinka Soul of ‘Tounga’ to upbeat floor-fillers like ‘Sina Mory’ and ‘N’fa Quartet’. On disc, the sound is richly layered and soulful, but the Quartet is always at its best in the live setting, where the energy and natural affinity of the musicians comes into its own.
Expect 31 strings on stage, 3 harmonious voices and 3 sets of drums!!!
Be prepared to be dazzled and be prepared to dance!!!
“They may all be from different places and traditions”, Keita points out, “but our instruments all speak the same language”, and whether playing an upbeat dance tune, or a soulful song, people respond enthusiastically to the remarkable energy that flows between the musicians. The Quartet is itself a journey of musical discovery and audiences are very much invited to join them on the road.
For all their achievements over the last two years, Keita sees a lot more shared territory to explore in the future. “Wherever we play, people ask how we thought to bring these different instruments and traditions together”, he says, “but it was never an idea, just something that grew very naturally. The more I play with these musicians, the more I feel we can accomplish together”.
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