Gambia Radio Show

This is my first show back after a long hiatus but I now have a home at Noods Radio where I will be broadcasting the Mother of Mankind show every other month from now (one show every other month feels sustainable for me as I continue on my musical journey around Africa).

This show features a lot of music played on the Kora - my favourite African instrument. At less than 3m people, the Gambia has a relatively small population but it boasts some of the best Kora players in the world, including Papa Susso, Jali Bakary Konteh and the incredible female Kora player Sona Jobarteh.

The other instrument that features heavily is the Sabar drum - an impressive looking drum which has a broad range of sounds and is accompanied by a wild, dramatic and very impressive dance style (check out the brilliant Batch Gueye here demonstrating the style). Batch Gueye lives just up the road from me in Bristol, as does Sura Susso who is featured on the show collaborating with Pete Joseph.

The show also explores blues, jazz, reggae, rhumba, dancehall and features a number of collaborations with Gambian musicians.

Full Tracklist:

Jali Bakary Konteh & John Atterbury - Jama
Susso - Ansumana
Sona Jobarteh - Musolou
Musa Mboob & XamXam - Journey
Super Eagles - Viva Super Eagles
Nder - Fatalikoul dom
Sing'a'teh - Singateh Rise
Big Banga - GACH MARHABA
Hussain Dada - Jiwo (feat. Tati Tati)
Sona Jobarteh - Enat Hager
Pete Josef & Sura Susso - Sabally
Alhaji Bai Konte - Alla L'aa Ke
Herbie Hancock & Foday Musa Suso - Moon/Light