![]() The overall result is a beautiful, traditional, stand alone track. Diverting away from the kora once again, Jobarteh sings in Fulbe, "All a Fula wants most is honour". Using vocals, guitars, calabash, bass and percussion, Jobarteh passionately dedicates the song to Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, "Although you are gone, your Griot mastery continues to inspire us to this day." Another key track is "Gainaako" (Cattle Hersman), an acoustic track with Juldeh Camara on the riti. "The future is now in your hands" she sings in Mandinka, "what will we build for our descendants?" Another highlight on the album is "Mamake" (Grandfather), which again diverts away from the kora. Jobarteh continues to address social issues throughout Fasiya, with "Fatafina" (Africa) urging the children of Africa to come together. Despite this, "Musow" is an emotional track and a highlight from the album. It is a shame that the kora is not used in this track, which would have made this an even more empowering album - addressing gender issues whilst using a male-dominated instrument. It is a powerful track about the struggle for women, addressing those in Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Burkina Faso, urging them to keep fighting and to never give up. "Musow" (Women) is yet another track that diverts away from the kora, featuring the sabar and djembe drum and the acoustic guitar. The song is about loss and passing away, which not only shows through Jobartehʼs voice, but also the instrumentation. On "Saya", Jobarteh sings passionately with her acoustic guitar, whilst the Fulani flute elegantly accompanies. Jobarteh brings this traditional kora piece into the realm of popular music, incorporating the kora with an electric guitar, drums and a muted guitar, whilst Jobartehʼs soulful, Malinke vocals, the djimbe and Karinyan, ensure that this popular kora piece remains traditional.įasiya is not just about the kora. The album opens with "Jarabi", a song about love. Born in London, Sona Jobarteh brings us an album that is full of grace, warmth and passion. Featured in the album are renowned West African musicians, such as Juldeh Camara. Coming from a long line of hereditary musicians and the West African Jobarteh jeli family, she is cousin of the kora maestro Toumani Diabate and granddaughter of jeli Amadu Bansang Jobarteh. Sona Jobarteh is the first female kora virtuoso to come from a jeli (griot) family in West Africa, breaking down the normality of West Africaʼs male-dominated kora tradition. Fasiya is unlike any other kora album out there. ![]()
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