Benyoro (Benyoro Music, 2014)
Benyoro is a superb Afro-roots band based in New York City. The multinational band features extremely talented musicians from Mali and American instrumentalists, some of whom studied with African masters. Their debut album is an exciting mix of West African jeli (griot) music, modern Malian roots music, some Congolese rumba, and the power of rock.
Supported by a fabulous rhythm section, the band’s sound is characterized by the masterful kora and electric guitar interplay. Sam Dickey’s guitar is deeply influenced by West African guitar masters Djelimady Tounkara and Kante Manfila.
The name of the band means meeting place in Bamana and that’s what Benyoro is about. It’s a gathering of traditional and modern instruments, Malian and American musicians, ancient songs and modern arrangements. “Our philosophy is to walk a line between the traditional and the modern,” clarifies guitarist Sam Dickey. “We’re not a fusion band; we try to let things come together organically. So many people over here see African music as this exotic ‘other,’ an imaginary Africa, but we want to show that it can exist in a really down-to-earth, concrete way in New York.”
The group was formed in early 2012 and has become a popular act in the American festival circuit. The current line-up includes Yacouba Sissoko on kora, Sam Dickey on guitar and jelingoni (traditional lute), Patrice Blanchard on bass, Andy Algire on drums and bala (West African marimba), and Idrissa Koné on tama (talking drum). Guest vocalists are Bébé Camara and Tapani Sissoko.
“What we really do is play praise music,” says Dickey. “We’ve just sped it up a little; it brings the music into a more dance-oriented context. Toumani Diabaté and his Symmetric Orchestra have been major innovators in this regard.”
Benyoro is a first-rate debut album with dazzling acoustic and electric interchange and infectious Malian rhythms.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Hmm, Benyoros dazzling kora and electric guitar interplay sound good and in the video they are surely looks experience band too.
electric acoustic guitar