M'BEMBA BANGOURA - BOREYA

Release Date: June 15th, 2024

 


About The Tracks

1. Fei Fo
In Upper Guinea, before the holiday of Tabaski, drummers go around from house to house to thank each family. They surprise them with some fruits, calabash or some gift, and the families give back something. A festive rhythm. Contemparary version of Traditional Rhythm. Arrangements by M'bemba

2. Kuku Mano - featuring Moussa Troare
From Beyla - Forest region of Guinea, Mano people. Celebration of when the women come back from the river after fishing. Rhythm Traditional, arrangement by Mbemba.

3. Djole-Brazil - featuring Jorge Alabe
Rhythm Djole (Guinea/Sierra Leone) and Samba (Brazil). Collaboration between Jorge and Mbemba.

4. Krin NYC
The Krin (log drum) from Guinea. Arrangements by Mbemba (from Sinte and Markru).

5. Yamama
Forécariah - Guinea. Village of Samou. Ballet Version, traditionally a mask dance. Arrangements by Mbemba.

6. Di Da Di - featuring Moussa Traore
Traditional Rhythm presented and arranged by Moussa Traore from Mali.

7. Soboninkun - featuring Román Díaz
Ballet version of Mask Dance Rhythm, Sobonunkum (from Siguiri, Upper Guinea), and Bata Drum Rhythms from Cuba. The sangban part reminded Mbemba of when Djoliba Ballet ( National Ballet of Guinea), would be on tour, performing in Cuba and saw the relationship between the African and Cuba rhythms. Collaboration betweem Román Díaz and Mbemba.

8. Soworoba- featuring Ibrahima Diagne, and Modou Sarr (R.I.P.)
Originates with the Djola people, but also adapted by malinke people who migrited to Boke region of Guinea years ago. it is actually the name of a drum, similar to Kurtiro (Gambia), or Sabar (Senegal) but is larger. Ballet mix with the djembe, more modern, Guinea influence. Arrangements is by Mbemba and Ibrahima Diagne (Sabar). Modou Sarr on Tama drum (Senegal) - (He passed shortly after making this recording. Modou- R.I.P.!)

9. Konkoba
From Faranah. Harvest before rainy season. Adama Diarra - flute, Malinke.

10. Wula
Conakry, Conakry I Ballet Mbemba played his as a teenager! Inspiration before national company.

11. Douna- featuring Mélissa Hie
Creation as tribute to village of Douna, Burkino Faso, where Melissa's parents are from. Mélissa presented the rhythm and arrangements to the group with some arrangements added by Mbemba.

12. Mamaya- featuring Famoro Dioubate
Balafon music of Kankan, Guinea Starting in the 1960's a popular song played during the Tabaski holiday, by Griot on the balafon.

13. Djembe-Kan
Improvised solo by M'Bemba Bangoura

14. Boreya- featuring Famoro Dioubate
Creation of M'Bemba and Famoro. Michael Markus concept: to have Mbemba and Famoro do a song just themselves, to show their friendship and musical mastery.

CREDITS


PRODUCER -  MICHAEL MARKUS/WULA DRUM

CO-PRODUCER -  AMON DRUM

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - MICHAEL MARKUS/WULA DRUM


 

RECORDED AT THE BRIDGE STUDIO, BROOKLYN NY

RECORDING ENGINEER - AMON DRUM

ASSISTANT ENGINEER - UROSH JOVANOVICH

ASSISTANT ENGINEER - GREG TOCK 

STAFF ASSISTANT - BRIANNA COFIELD

MIXED BY AMON DRUM
MASTERED BY HANS-PHILIPP GRAF (HP MASTERING) & AMON DRUM

INSTRUMENTS (DJEMBE, KRIN, DUNDUN, BELLS) PROVIDED BY WULA DRUM

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY -  STEVEN ANDERSON

RECORDING STUDIO PHOTOS -  MICHAEL MARKUS

ARTWORK -  JOHN DOING

NICO DEL AGUILA

IN MEMORY -  MODU SARR