Kondi Band - Salone

  by Nicky Crewe

published: 18 / 7 / 2017

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This album is a fascinating collaboration between Sorie Kondi from Sierra Leone and US DJ and producer Chief Boima, who has Sierra Leonean roots. Sorie Kondi plays the traditional thumb piano known as the kondi in Sierra Leone. It’s more commonly known as the mbira, its Zimbabwean name. Calling it the thumb piano diminishes its significance as an instrument. The name makes it sound like a child’s toy, and the instrument can often be found for sale in ethnic shops, looking as if it is made from scrap materials. The kondi or mbira is an instrument with a significant role in cultural and spiritual life. Like the kora, its music has a part to play in rituals and ceremonies. Missionaries banned it in the past because of this association. Its influence survived though and may have even played a part in the development of blues guitar styles in the Southern states of America. Boima Tucker, aka Chief Boima, was sent a link to Kondi’s recording of 'Without Money, No Family' by a friend. He was inspired to do a remix, and some years later he tracked down the musician and set up a Kickstarter fund to bring him to perform in the States. Describing Sorie, who is blind, he writes that he has "a will to survive like no person I’ve ever met before." This is obviously a powerful collaboration, with Chief Boima’s production transforming and supporting the traditional instrumentation and vocals of Sorie Kondi’s music. At times it is hypnotic and soothing. Suddenly it changes to the most exuberant and contemporary dance music, ‘thumb and bass’ as Boima has described it. As well as producing the album, he has added three remixes which show just how well the traditional rhythms and sounds can transform to something unexpected but at the same time obvious. As Boima writes "This album forges a direct link between techno born in the black cities of the American West where I grew up and roots African music.".

Track Listing:-

1 Yeanoh
2 Belle Wahalla
3 Thank You Mama
4 Titi Dem Too Service
5 Don Don Mi Money
6 Thogolingo Dembi Na
7 You Wan Married?
8 Geibai Gpanga Ne Gna
9 Kondi Instrumental
10 Without Money, No Family
11 Thogolobea
12 Y'alimamy

Band Links:-

https://kondiband.bandcamp.com/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/kondiband/

Label Links:-

https://instagram.com/strutrecords/
https://twitter.com/strutrecords
https://www.youtube.com/user/strutrecords
https://www.facebook.com/StrutRecords
http://www.strut-records.com/

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