Neba Solo and Benego Diakité Unite on 'A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking' via Nonesuch Records
Malian musicians Neba Solo and Benego Diakité are set to release 'A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking' on Nonesuch Records, showcasing a unique blend of balafon and donso n’goni.
The Malian balafon maestro Neba Solo and donso n’goni virtuoso Benego Diakité are making their debut on the prestigious Warner imprint, Nonesuch Records, with their collaborative album, A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking. This exciting project, co-produced by Nick Gold (formerly of World Circuit Records) alongside Ousmane Haïdara and Sonny Johns, is slated for release just in time for Valentine's Day.
Solo's instrument of choice is the balafon, akin to a marimba, while Diakité commands the donso n’goni, a hunter’s harp. Traditionally, these two instruments rarely intertwine. As the album's promotional materials explain, "Neba Solo hails from Kenedougou, where the balafon historically resonated in fields to inspire farmers. Diakité originates from the neighboring Wassoulou region, where hunting is central to the culture."
The genesis of this collaboration dates back a decade when Haïdara and Gold brought the two musicians together during the recording of Oumou Sangaré’s Seya album. Encouraged by the producers, they continued to explore their musical synergy, which ultimately led to the creation of A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking.
The album is a two-disc affair. The first disc enriches the duo's core sound with vocals, percussion, and occasional touches of mellotron, guitar, and strings. The second disc presents raw, unadorned live recordings. Nonesuch has unveiled the new single "Seko," accompanied by a live performance video, alongside the previously released album opener "Djinê Mogo Tiki."
TRACKLIST:
DISC 1: A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking
01 Djinê Mogo Tiki"
02 "Seko"
03 "Maa Kery"
04 "Yeredon Bali"
05 "Seko (interlude)"
06 "Hakilimaya"
07 "Kodonaw"
08 "Ba Ngolo"
09 "Nania Ba"
10 "Dankoro Ba"
DISC 2: A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking (Garden Demos)
01 "Ba Ngolo (Garden Demo)"
02 "Seko (Garden Demo)"
03 "Hakilimaya (Garden Demo)"
04 "Djinê Mogo Tiki (Garden Demo)"
05 "Maa Kery (Garden Demo)"
06 "Ba Ngolo (Balafon Solo)"
A Djinn And A Hunter Went Walking is out 2/13 on Nonesuch. Pre-order it here.
Aboubacar Traoré
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Listen to Neba Solo on Foxsoundi. Click here to listen!
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