Guest
The story-songs Farafina unleash on percussion including djembe, tama and the thundering doumdouba bass drum; on flute, kora, soukou violin and two wooden balafon xylophones, were co-written by the many ensemble members, each of them steeped in the ancient art of the Manding griots. Vocals, too, are shared, weaving melodically alongside flute and kora and on the dreamy ‘Dounounia’, the flugelhorn of David DeVries and the kit drums of Billy Cobham (who also guests on the explosive ‘Bi Mousso’). Call-and-response is frequent. Communication — between musicians, musicians and producers, the music and the listener — is key. Dancing is inevitable.
