Songs
These are just preview samples. You need a valid account and be logged in to hear the full tracks.
- country:Senegal
- region:West Africa
- style(s):Afro, Experimental
- label:not signed
- type:Band, Solo, Composer/Songwriter
- gender:male, female
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
- artist posted by:Kinti Productions & Stagebeat
Line up
- Andreas Unge (Bass, Production)
- Dawcoumba Diop (Percussion)
- Maher Cissoko (Kora, Percussion, Vocal)
- Måns Block (Drums)
- Sousou Cissoko (Guitar, Kora, Vocal)
Links
Sousou and Maher Cissoko have just released their second album, Stockholm-Dakar, a follow up to their first CD, which was awarded as one of the most interesting world music cd:s in Sweden 2008 (published by the independent label Ajabu).
Sousou's and Maher's warm voices and the clear distinct sound of their koras is backed up by guitar, bass, percussion and a drum set. Their new tour band lines up well known artists Adreas Unge (who has also produced both albums), Mans Block, and Dawcoumba Diop.
Both their albums mix the flavours of sentimental vocal and instrumental traditions from Sweden and the typical West African Cissoko energetic style in a beautiful and touching way. It's also a fact that their CD:s are among the few ever released with a female kora player.
Sousou grew up in the southern parts of Sweden - Skane - surrounded by music, song and instruments, and fell in love with the West African kora when her father started gigging with the griot Alagie Mbye from Gambia in the early 90:ies. She asked to be teached, and was accepted. She has since spent a lot of time in Africa learning to play the kora and learning to sing in Wolof and Mandinka.
Maher Cissoko was born to be a kora player. As the son of one of the big and well known griot families of Casamance in southern Senegal he had to learn to play. He wasn't completely happy about being a griot at first, but later he came to terms with his heritage. And like his older brothers Solo and Fily Cissokho (yes they spell their names differently), he's now a full time musician in Europe.
It was when Sousou was invited by Solo Cissokho to spend time with his family in Ziguinchor and try to learn their playing style that she met Maher. Now, years later, they are married and have a small daughter (Who's also performing on the first cd).
A new duo has been born. Remember their names.
