Malian kora maestro Ballaké Sissoko duets with leading Gambian Kora player Sona Jobarteh on the new single ’Djourou’ – the title track of his forthcoming album due out on 9 April 2021 on Nø Førmat!
This is Ballaké’s 11th album and draws together solo compositions alongside thoughtful collaborations with Nouvelle Vague’s Camille, African legend Salif Keita, French rapper Oxmo Puccino and French cellist Vincent Segal.
‘Djourou’ a Bambara word meaning string – a nod not just to the 21 strings of a kora, but the ties that also connect Sissoko to his collaborators on the album.
The single is accompanied by a live video (below) and is available to stream on all platforms here: https://idol.lnk.to/Djourou
Ballake Sissoko photos ©Benoit.Peverelli

Calabash! The UK’s African Music Guide is an online magazine and events guide dedicated to African music happening in the UK.