African Rhapsodies
The Future Strings Variations
Simply Beautiful Miro
Tatono's Path
Ode to Kanou
Tamala's Caravan Trail
The shadow Left by the Invisible Man
Missing You forever
L'Epopée Mande-Arab
Distance, a Bird's Eye View
Bamba, the Light of Touba

Seckou Keita, kora, voix
Abel Selaocoe, violoncelle, voix
Davide Mantovani, contrebasse
Suntou Susso, percussion
BBC Concert Orchestra
Mark Heron, direction

L’actualité du disque (et Clic Musique) nous offrent parfois des surprises, exemple cet album richement documenté qui nous propose dix compositions regroupées sous le titre "African Rhapsodies" du joueur de kora Seckou Keita, arrangées et orchestrées par le bassiste de jazz italien Davide Mantovani pour le BBC Concert Orchestra dirigé ici par son chef permanent Mark Héron. Il s’agit donc de "pièces de musique de forme libre en un seul mouvement qui repose sur des thèmes et des rythmes régionaux et traditionnels" ... qui nous entraînent - complète la notice volubile et enjôleuse - dans une histoire, un périple plein de rebondissements. Un incroyable voyage en musique. En l’occurrence, un certain folklore africain revitalisé par le flow impétueux de la World Music. D’origine sénégalaise, Keita se montre soucieux de connecter la culture mandingue avec d’autres traditions arabes ou occidentales, chaque morceau est ainsi soigneusement documenté par l’auteur : sources, thématiques et instrumentation, l’ensemble reposant sur les notions de voyage, d’exil, de fraternité et de Nature. Rhapsodies ou plutôt Concertos pour kora et orchestre, auxquels on adjoint la contrebasse, la voix, des percussions. L’instrument soliste aux timbres si délicats, pincés et perlés à la fois, dialogue avec les cordes en complète harmonie laissant place à " ...un état de contemplation nostalgique presque méditatif " (Keita). Une belle surprise. (Jérôme Angouillant)

Nottingham based Senegalese composer and kora player Seckou Keita is proud to present African Rhapsodies: an epic project created in collaboration with Italian composer and musician Davide Mantovani, due to be released via Swiss label Claves Records in May. African Rhapsodies is an enchanting, kora-led work, enhanced by the power of The BBC Concert Orchestra. In this inspiring blend of African music with orchestral arrangements, the traditional West African 22 stringed harp takes pride of place perfectly where the violin, piano or flute may have been. This rare blend of traditions and the synergy that it achieves makes one wonder if Bach, Beethoven or even Stéphane Grappelli might have composed for kora had they travelled to Africa in their lifetime. On African Rhapsodies, Seckou Keita is joined by South African star cellist and vocalist Abel Selaocoe, outstanding double bass player Davide Mantovani and up and coming Gambian percussionist / kora player Suntou Susso. These brilliant, international, special guest soloists are the perfect protagonists to harness the excellence of the BBC Concert Orchestra and generate a new sound that only they personally (alongside Seckou) could create. A beautiful and engaging narrative is woven throughout the work. Each piece in African Rhapsodies charts its own individual story, cultivating a range of atmospheres and cinematic journeys. With titles as delightfully intriguing as Tamala’s Caravan Trail; Bamba, The Light of Touba; The Shadow Left by the Invisible Man and L’Épopée Mande Arab, African Rhapsodies references some wonderfully diverse tales that add an extra level of enjoyment to the music itself.[..] Overall, Seckou has released12 albums as a leader and co-leader. Through this work, he has earned numerous accolades including three Songlines Music Awards, and several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including 2019 Musician of the Year.