Africa Express
Presents...Terrt Riley: In C Mali
Imports Records
Africa Express’ most recent release, “Terry Riley: In C Mali” is very much a reflection of the times. With the recent resurgence of minimalist music, it is no surprise that contemporary artists have begun to rediscover the avant-garde classical composing greats. Within the past six months, artists like Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead and Damon Albarn of the Gorillaz have embarked on projects with classically trained musicians around the world – an attempt to sync the aesthetic of popular music with the experimental and often complex sounds of an orchestra. In C Mali is just this – a revision of Terry Riley’s 1964 masterpiece drenched in traditional Malian music. With koras and balafons replacing the familiar sound of strings and brass, the result is a refreshing fusion of world music and classical composition. Participation from Brian Eno and Damon Albarn as well as Malian masters Diabel Cissokho and Mosi Conde lend to the album finding a perfect balance between hypnotic Malian rhythms and danceable melodies.
