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about that. When our first album came out, there was a radio sta- tion which played our album every afternoon for about three months. I think it has to do with the fact that our music is about breathing again, music for relaxation. In the big African capitals people in generally love music which is very danceable so it came as a big surprise that they also liked our album. Well, no, it was not a big surprise, it was a normal surprise!” (Everybody in the press room starts laughing at this).
“The kora has a long history. Originally this instrument was not made for kings and nobles but the people who surrounded the king, such as artists , magicians, marabouts, who listened to all kinds of string instruments, including the kora. So it became the instrument of the court. The kora was not made for dancing. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with dancing. Bravo to Mory Kanté for what he did to popularise the kora. Originally the kora was made for reconciliation and healing. It’s also music for thinking, to bring people together, music to make peace, it is a spiritual instrument that also has a very long healing tradition.”
work. The music on Amanké Dionti evolved during the extensive tours we have been doing since the release of Sira.”
W
And plans for the future? Goetze says that he’s sure they will playing more together. “We’re probably going to Brazil to record a new album. Hopefully Naná Vasconcelos can join us on a few tracks. I have worked with him before and I’d really love to record with him again. I’m gonna look for really dark African music in Brazil, not necessarily the styles we already know but maybe some- thing that is unusual. Like a percussionist who has a voice, accom- panying us and as a third voice.”
Cissoko and Goetze fervently hope their cultural partnership will be of benefit to local communities in West Africa. That’s why the artist are donating ten percent of their profits from Sira and Amanké Dionti to Tostan, an organisation whose mission is to empower African communities to bring about sustainable devel- opment and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights.
www.ablaye-cissoko.com www.volkergoetze.com
F
hen asked about the difference between the first and second album Goetze responds that “Our first album came about intuitively, but by the time we recorded Amanké Dionti we were much more aware of the elements that make our pairing
Photo: Judith Burrows
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