Kondi Band – We Famous (Strut Records, 2021)
“We Famous” is the superb new album from Kondi Band, a collaboration between Los Angeles-based producer Chief Boima, London electronic music artist Will LV and Sorie Kondi, a blind musician living in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Sorie is an engaging vocalist and skillful player of the the kondi, a thumb piano found in Sierra Leone. Sorie uses a custom-made 15-pin kondi.
Although the album begins with a traditional performance of vocals and kondi, quickly, electronic beats and atmospheres join in as the album turns into a captivating mix of Sierra Leonean roots, Afropop, dub, and various forms of masterfully-crafted electronic dance rhythms. The striking vocals feature traditional call and response singing intertwined with modern dubs and the Afropop style of guest vocalist, Sierra Leonean singer-songwriter Mariama Jalloh.
“We Famous” beautiful blends Sierra Leonean traditions and cutting edge electronica.
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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.