Audio: Derek Gripper's Music from the Strings of Mali [LP]

It’s difficult to describe with the dull thud of words the transcendent, outer-worldly, quality of South African guitarist Derek Gripper’s musical explorations on his ninth recording, One Night on Earth: Music from the Strings of Mali. A complex undertaking of ‘translating’ West African Kora music to solo guitar. “This album is a world first” his website says, “a recording of Malian kora music on solo acoustic guitar... The complete solo works of Malian kora legend Toumani Diabate, with tracks by fellow Malians Ali Farka Toure and Ballake Sissoko as well as a track by French cellist Vincent Segal (from his collaboration with Sissoko). A truly original African Guitar sound and a fresh and ground-breaking proposal for a redefinition of African classical music.” Stream below and download the album for a small fee.