When born a Cissoko, one is a kora player. The Guinean
Ba Cissoko perpetuates a more than
centenary history. He is the last born of a long lineage of griots,
master singers and agile string pluckers.
He knows all the codes and secrets of tradition. He estimates its
reach, for posterity, but he isn’t the kind of artist who reproduces the
work of his illustrious elders. Ba Cissoko
has emancipated himself without ever breaking that link, renewing
his instrument’s approach while refining his knowledge of the art and of
the good manners of storytelling. Cissoko’s
new project Electric Griot Land transgresses and honours
this tradition with a modern electric interpretations. A pure
organic electroshock administered to stereotypes.
The Jimi Hendrix of the African lute The Independent on Sunday