Ba Cissoko

The group features two kora players: one acoustic and one re-enforced with a rack of special effects. If Eric Clapton playedkora, this is surely what he would sound like.

Named after the band's leader and kora player, their debut album, Sabolan, is probably one of the most eagerly awaited African albums in recent memory.

Cissoko is the nephew of the great kora maestro M'Bady Kouyaté. The band's repertoire consists of selected pieces from the age-old Mandingo epic and chronicle-songs in Sussu or Peulh, all boosted by an urban, groovy, caustic sound.

Ba Cissoko are trail-blazers similar to Mory Kanté in his younger years. Band members include Sekou Kouyaté, also on kora, bass player Kourou Kouyaté, both sons of the same M'Bady Kouyaté, and percussionist Ibrahima Bah. Sekou Kouyaté's electrically enhanced kora creates a totally new sound, which has earned him the nickname, "Jimmy Hendrix Africain." —Courtesy Calabash Music