Listen to works inspired by the great West African drum and percussion tradition, “Farafina.” The word comes from the Bambara language and translates as “land of the dark-skinned people who refuse to be dominated,” (Farafina-Institute.org.) Real World Records goes further with “Farafina is essentially a spirtual concept, an ‘idea’ of the music of Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta, which is twice as big as England but with a population of scarcely seven million.”
Hear works by Farafina, the music and dance group from Burkina Faso, who’ve played with the Rolling Stones, Jon Hassell, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Listen to music off their 1989 album, Bolomakoté, along with some of the collaborative “Fourth World” music with the late trumpeter Jon Hassell.
Then, listen to music by New York Sax player, composer, and bandleader Immanuel Wilkins, evoking drum calls to Yoruba deities to the singing of the Black Church. The song, “Don’t Break” features the Farafina Kan Percussion Ensemble, a Maryland troupe that keeps the traditions of West African drumming alive in the U.S.
There’s also music by Japanese composer, multi-percussionist, and theater artist Midori Takada, which uses repeating mallet percussion patterns in a minimalistic vein, while also drawing from traditional African and Asian percussive language. Listen to music based around percussion and vocals by Farafi, the duo of Darlini Singh Kaul & Joy Tyson. Plus, music from Malian kora player, Madina N'Diaye, which cleverly weaves in a blend of richly-textured percussion to propel the tune. And more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4609, Music of "Farafina" (First aired 4/6/22)
ARTIST: The Rolling Stones & Farafina
WORK: Continental Drift [1:23]
RECORDING: Steel Wheels
SOURCE: Virgin / Universal
INFO: Available at Amazon.com, AppleMusic, or Spotify
ARTIST: Immanuel Wilkins
WORK: Don't Break [3:30]
RECORDING: The 7th Hand
SOURCE: Blue Note Records
INFO: https://immanuelwilkins.lnk.to/The7thHandID
ARTIST: Jon Hassell & Farafina
WORK: Masque (Strength) [11:43]
RECORDING: Flash of the Spirit
SOURCE: Intuition/Capitol Records 91186
INFO: Out of print, but available at Amazon.com, AppleMusic, or Spotify
ARTIST: Madina N'Diaye
WORK: Farafina [4:23]
RECORDING: Bimogow
SOURCE: Nature Bliss / panai 008
INFO: https://naturebliss.bandcamp.com/
ARTIST: Midori Takada
WORK: Crossing [8:55]
RECORDING: Through the Looking Glass
SOURCE: RCA Japan
INFO: wrwtfww.com
ARTIST: Farafina
WORK: Bolomakoté Mahama [3:38]
RECORDING: Bolomakoté
SOURCE: veraBra Records
INFO: Try Discogs.com
ARTIST: Farafi
WORK: Sembere [4:21]
RECORDING: Calico Soul
SOURCE: Piranha Music
INFO: piranha.de
ARTIST: Farafina
WORK: Moussa Traoré (Produced by Damon Albarn) [5:17]
RECORDING: Africa Express Presents: Maison Des Jeunes
SOURCE: Transgressive Records
INFO: transgressiverecords.com OR africaexpress.co.uk
ARTIST: Jon Hassell & Farafina
WORK: A Vampire Dances (Symmetry) [4:01]
RECORDING: Flash of the Spirit
SOURCE: Intuition/Capitol Records 91186
INFO: Out of print, but available at Amazon.com, AppleMusic, or Spotify
FarafinaMoussa Traoré, Damon AlbarnAfrica Express Presents: Maison Des JeunesTransgressive Recordstransgressiverecords.com OR africaexpress.co.uk4/6/2022 23:485:17A Vampire Dances (Symmetry)Jon Hassell and FarafinaFlash of the SpiritIntuition/Capitol Records 91186Out of print, but available at Amazon.com, AppleMusic, or Spotify4/6/2022 23:553:59