WOMAD

The Sounds of West Africa

From Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Senegal

I predict a griot
It's an indelible testament to West African music's push into our consciousness over the past couple of decades that we now know our koras from our djembes and our balafons. And while the region's musicians who've graced our stages over the years must number several hundred, thankfully that tradition shows no sign of abating. The functionally named Sounds Of West Africa do exactly what it says on their luggage label - these are the centuries-old music songs and traditions of long-gone kingdoms and empires, carried through the generations in the safe care of the hereditary griots. Seven of these musical minders line up here to deliver an acoustic performance unsullied by the 21st century and further enhanced by the moves of the outfit's dancers. Not only do The Sounds Of West Africa take you straight to the beating heart of the planet's most musical continent, they've got plenty of history to impart too.

(Biography written by Nige Tassell 2010)