Rokai Traore

Another in a long line of fantastic musicians from Mali, Traore is different insofar she is a woman who plays guitar and doesn’t come from a family of griots, instead enjoying the relatively privileged upbringing as a diplomat’s daughter. But we shouldn’t concern ourselves with so-called authenticity in this global age; Traore is a first class (multi-lingual) singer, an inventive guitarist and a natural frontwoman, ably demonstrating this tonight in front of a largely world music savvy crowd, who grew increasingly lively as the evening progressed, the band seemingly feeding off the Corn Exchange’s human energy. Traore and her great band (bass, guitar, n’goni, bv’s, drums) locked into endless grooves from the start with the n’goni and guitarist respectively embellishing her mainly desert-blues songs with fine rhythms and licks. Her fusion of African and western sounds is like the perfect casserole; slow-cooked, full of quality ingredients, very nourishing and above all, very tasty.

Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, 6 November 2013

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