Bokanté, an international ensemble spearheaded by the Grammy-winning founder of Snarky Puppy, Michael League, has revealed plans for the release of their forthcoming studio album, titled “History,” under the iconic world music label Real World Records. Comprising a collection of nine tracks, this musical endeavor celebrates the rich tapestry of black history, foster global unity, and shed light on the futility of warfare. This highly anticipated album is slated for release on the 30th of June 2023. In the meantime, the band has released the first single, “Adjoni.”
Under the guidance of Michael League, the acclaimed founder of Snarky Puppy, Bokanté’s music embarks on an enthralling journey through the blues, tracing its origins in Africa and the Arab World, and its pervasive influence throughout the diaspora, all while firmly situating it within a contemporary framework.
Bokanté represents a harmonious amalgamation of talents from five nations and four continents, encompassing diverse genders, races, and generations. Together, they champion the belief that music should serve as a conduit for the disenfranchised, lending them a voice. Drawing inspiration from the rhythmic cadences of West Africa and the drum-centered Gwo ka tradition of Guadeloupe, their lead single, “Adjoni,” narrates a tale of a life experienced on the fringes.
Within the realm of “History,” Bokanté ventures further into uncharted territory, adorning their compositions with traditional folk instruments, including the melodious strains of the Arabic oud; the resonant tones of the West African ngoni; and the melodies of the North African guembri, a favored bass lute amongst Morocco’s Gnawa maalems. Imbued with the dexterity and finesse expected of seasoned percussion maestros, such as André Ferrari from Swedish folk trailblazers Väsen; former Berklee music professor Jamey Haddad (recognized for his collaborations with Sting and Paul Simon); the Nagasaki-raised Keita Ogawa (renowned for his work with Cecile McLorin Salvant); and the Ghanaian-New Orleanian drum virtuoso Weedie Braimah (celebrated for his contributions to Christian Scott’s ensemble), Bokanté showcases their eclectic musical tapestry.
Previously, the band members, including Snarky Puppy guitarists Chris McQueen and Bob Lanzetti, alongside the lap steel player Roosevelt Collier, had engaged in remote collaborations. They assimilated and embellished the music transmitted to them in digital files by their co-writers, Tirolien and League, who often found themselves engrossed in other projects. However, the reopening of the world presented an opportunity for the entire ensemble to convene at League’s residence, nestled in a quaint village on the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain, allowing for an unparalleled creative synergy to unfold.
As the founder of Bokanté, Michael League has long displayed a deep fascination with musical instruments hailing from distant lands. His immersive studies have encompassed Turkish percussion in Istanbul and traditional guembri techniques passed down by revered Gnawa mentors. Additionally, League has delved into the works of renowned Malian musicians, such as Ali Farke Touré and the ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyaté, enriching his artistic palette.
Fronted by the captivating vocals of lead singer Malika Tirolien, Bokanté predominantly delivers their lyrical narratives in Guadeloupean Creole. While the majority of their songs are expressed in Guadeloupean Creole, the title track “History” stands as the sole composition sung in English.
Bokanté has previously captivated audiences with two critically acclaimed albums—2017’s “Strange Circles” and “What Heat,” a Grammy-nominated 2018 acoustic collaboration with the Metropole Orkest, solidifying their position as a formidable musical force.
Buy Adjoni or preorder History
Author: World Music Central News Room
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