Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper (Matsuli) (Self Release) [African Music]
- The Slow Music Movement
- May 12, 2024
- 1 min read
Mali's kora playing maestro Ballaké Sissoko headed over to London for a meeting & melting of minds with kora fascinated, classical South African guitarist, Derek Gripper. These 6 tracks are remarkable taken from just a 3 hour improvised session, a testament to the instrument mastery, cultural curiosity, rare (especially these days) listening ability & obvious synergy between these two great artists. African music is in safe hands.
What The Release Notes Say
In November 2022 world-renowned kora player Ballaké Sissoko and acclaimed guitarist Derek Gripper spend just three hours recording a wordless album together. The kora and guitar in the hands of masters - a session where New Ancient Strings meets One Night On Earth.
“Musically we tested each other,” says Sissoko, explaining that the most magical aspect of their initial encounter was the spontaneity of the whole thing. “We have the mastery of our instruments, the technique and a good ear. Derek is very curious, that’s very important.”
“He’s just such a good listener,” says Gripper about Sissoko. “It’s not what he plays, it’s how he plays it. He’s an amazing interpreter, the prime master of timbre.”
“It’s a remarkable album,” says Lucy Duran, professor of Music at SOAS. “It’s the furthest away that Ballaké has gone from his own idiom and it’s brilliant – not world music, it’s in a totally different realm, entering new territory”
