Ndiaye Rose, Doudou -family-
Twenty-one Sabar Rhythms (2lp)
Magnificent Wolof drum music, performed by an extended griot family over seven consecutive days, in the mystical setting of Lac Rose, outside Dakar. Doudou Ndiaye Rose -who died in 2015- is a key drummer in the musical history of the world. He developed a system of five hundred original drumming patterns, ancient and new. Amongst the modern rhythms here is 'Bench Mi' - 'under the Baobab tree,' a spot where where problems get solved. Also 'Hibar Yi' - 'passing on information' - the theme-tune of Senegalese TV national news for decades - and 'Les Rosettes,' the signature rhythm of Senegal's first ever all-female percussion group, convened by Doudou, and named after his grandmother. These original compositions sit alongside important traditional rhythms, familiar to every Sabar player, such as 'Farwu Jar' (a courtship game sometimes resulting in a wedding), 'Ceebu Jin' (also the name of the national dish of fish and rice), and 'Gumbè,' often played after a successful harvest. Recorded in joyful single takes, with no overdubs, mastered by Rashad Becker, the music is deep and thrilling, polyrhythmic to the bone, with a complex, pointillistic intensity at times evoking Jeff Mills in full flight. TRACKS: 01. Niary Ngorong 02. Gumbè 03. Kaolack 04. Fass 05. Farwu Jar 06. Ardin Lent 07. Ardin Rapide 08. Ceebu Jen 09. Baar Mbaye 10. Mbabass 11. Xibar 12. Dey Sey 13. Seut Yi 14. Toco 15. Yendulen 16. Dalalba 17. Les Rosettes 18. Ndiouk 19. Penthie Me 20. Diakhay Malay 21. Tagoo