Elegant Ghanaian Gyil Xylophone and Piano Interactions

Alfred Kpebesaane and Brittany Anjou – Nong Voru – Fake Love (2021)

“Nong Voru” (Fake Love) is a fantastic collaboration between Ghanaian xylophonist, percussionist, and African drum teacher Alfred Kpebesaane, and American pianist and vibraphonist Brittany Anjou.

The two artists provide fascinating interplay, elegantly combining mesmerizing Ghanaian xylophone, fabulous electric piano improvisations, drum set grooves and vocals. The pieces range from entrancing performances to upbeat compositions with irresistible funk and dub reggae influences.

The two musicians met when Anjou traveled to Ghana to study traditional gyil (Xylophone) music at the Dagara Music Center in 2006, at the recommendation of the late master xylophonist Bernard Woma. In Woma’s absence, Anjou studied gyil with Alfred, where the two forged a musical bond over many months.

Before Anjou left Ghana, Alfred gave her a parting gift, his original CD of xylophone songs, titled Te Songtaar: The Northern Solohitter. Anjou listened to this album repeatedly, until one day in 2017, Anjou received an unexpected phone call from Alfred, who had just arrived in New York. The two artists soon reunited at her home in Brooklyn for a jam session. Within weeks, Anjou and Kpebesaane went into the recording studio, joined by drummer April Centrone.

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.